The summer rains have started arriving and the bush has turned into a beautiful bright green as everything has freshened up.
Category: General
Wild Dogs take back their kill
One morning after tracking down and following the Mhangene pride for most of the morning, we heard that the pack of Wild Dogs had been found. We decided to head on over to the area where the dogs had started to settle down. Being late in the morning and already fairly hot we expected the pack to just be lazing around and mostly sleeping.
As we entered the sighting, the first thing we saw was a Hyena carrying an Impala carcass in its mouth with three of the Wild dogs following close by. There was however no sign of the rest of the pack. We followed them to a shady area where the Hyena decided to feast on his stolen spoils. Meanwhile the three dogs stayed close by just watching and hoping to get some back.
We could hear the rest of the pack calling in the distance, and with that one of the three dogs started running straight back to the rest of the pack while the other two remained. It wasn’t too long before we could see the pack return. With the pack in full force the Hyena realized that it was outnumbered and made a hasty retreat, leaving the Wild dogs to feed on their well earned meal.
Please enjoy the video below and remember to turn up your volume to hear the excitement of the pack.
Written by Hugo Breed
Mhangene pride feeding on a Giraffe
Over the last few weeks we have been fortunate to view the Mhangene pride in the Western Sector. It is amazing to watch this pride move as they consist of sixteen lions in total. Four females and twelve youngsters, of which nine are males. If they all break away together we could possibly see another strong coalition to rival the likes of the Mapogo.
During one of our sightings we watched as they competed against each other to get their helping of a juvenile Giraffe that they killed.
It is incredible to watch how these youngsters already have that competitive and survival spirit.
Enjoy the video below.
Thlangisa “The Playful One”
Thlangisa (The Playful One)
“Leopard cubs found” the words that brings joy and excitement to every ranger working in the Western sector.
This was the same joy we found in a little female leopard cub, we would later know as Thlangisa.
Born in April 2009 Thlangisa immediately demanded a soft spot in the heart of each person that saw her. She was from the start a very bold, active and adventures cub. She grew up as an extremely playful young leopard leading to her name Thlangisa meaning “the playful one” in the local language Shangaan.
At age 18 months she became independent and set up her territory just North of the Sand river in an area that was vacant at the time.
She gave birth to her first litter in April 2014, two female cubs that she raised to adulthood, proving to us that she is a good mother. We are still seeing both the females in our area as independent territorial and very relaxed adults now.
In November 2015, she gave birth to her second litter that she unfortunately lost rather quickly.
In the end of October 2016 Thlangisa gave birth to her third litter, two cubs who is currently just over three months old, sex still unknown, and looking healthy.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for Thlangisa to raise this litter to independence and handing down yet another generation of this amazing bloodline.
Kiara’s Leopard Image
Having discovered one of Kiara Rodgers photographs on her Face book page Kiara Rodgers Photography, Simon Stevenson, an amazingly talented artist from the UK, asked Kiara if he could use one of her photos, to sketch. You can follow the “work in progress” on the following link: http://www.abrushwithafrica.com/Work%20in%20progress
You can also follow some of Simon’s other amazing creations on his Facebook Page (Wildlife Art) A Brush With Africa.
http://www.abrushwithafrica.com/shop/leopards/kiaras_leopard
Xikavi & Mondzo
There is always a sense of huge privilege watching a Mother Leopard & her offspring interact, as she lets you witness those special moments.
Spending time with Xhikavi and her (now nearing adulthood) Male Cub, who has been named Mondzo ( Mondzo is the Shangaan name for a Leadwood Tree ), you realise the time is nearing for him to move away from his Mother and start fending for himself. The two Leopards are still spending time together and the meals that Xhikavi are providing her cub are now diminishing quickly, as he is becoming an adult leopard.
Experience Leopard Hills
A brief look through the Window into our World, at this incredible place we are privileged to call home.
Enjoy the Journey…
View from the Lower Pool Deck
As we enter into the dry Winter Months, we are seeing more and more animal activity at the waterhole in-front of the Lodge. Regular sightings of Elephant, Buffalo and even the occasional Leopard, stopping by to quench their thirst.
Leopard Update
With the start of 2016 there has been quite a bit happening with the Leopards at Leopard Hills.
New Female Leopard
There is a new face within our traversing area, she is a young female leopard of a couple of years old, as soon as we have some more information on her we will be sure to update you.
Boulders Female
Boulders female has also been seen with two young Cubs of about 4 weeks old, hopefully they will grow up to be wonderful leopards with many special sightings.
Boulders Female by Hugo Breed
Thlangisa Female
Thlangisa female has given birth to another litter consisting of 3 tiny cubs, they are now about 8-10weeks old and doing very well. We look forward to following them and update you on how they are doing.
Thlangisa Images by Hugo Breed
Best Wishes for 2016!
The “New Look” Leopard Hills.
I am very pleased to announce and introduce to you, the new look and feel of Leopard Hills.
Following the re-vamp we conducted on all the Suites over the last couple of years, we took the decision at the beginning of this year to carry on the new look and theme through to the Library, Curio Shop, Reception and dining room bar areas.
I sincerely hope you like it as much as we do!!
We look forward to welcoming you back and showing you around.
Lounge, Dining Room and Bar Area
Reception/Curio Shop
Library
Thirsty travelers stop by to quench their thirst at suite 5
During the morning Duncan had the privilege of having this amazing sighting of three Elephant bulls from the inside of suite 5.
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Combined Ranger’s Report August & September 2014
Yet another two months have passed in a flash, and what an amazing two months it has been. Filled with spectacular game viewing, astonishing animal behaviour and interaction. And that might just be one of the reasons why people return to the African bush…you never know what you might see next!
Dayone started to be his old self again by patrolling the whole extent of his territory. Unfortunately, late in September he was seen limping very badly again. Hopefully he can bounce back as he did before.
Kashane was again only seen a couple of times before he returned to the East.
Nyeleti have provided us with some great sightings. He seems to be taking more of his kills up a tree. He is once again in top shape and has recovered from all previous injuries. He was also mating with Hlaba Nkunzi for a couple of days.
Over these two months there have been very few sightings of Torchwood. He has been keeping a low profile and also possibly having a look at some other territories outside of the West.
Ravenscourt have been spending more time in the Western Sector. After his mother was killed he turned into a beautiful young male Leopard.
Hlaba Nkunzi have been moving around quite a lot and sightings have been scattered. She did however walk straight through the camp and reception on a couple of occasions, barely giving any notice to the guests standing in reception and watching in awe as such a beautiful animal saunters by.
Scotia started off in August by stealing a Waterbuck kill from a Cheetah. She had made her own Duiker kill close by and heard the Cheetah making its kill. Being the opportunistic animals that they are Scotia took a chance and managed to chase the Cheetah away. She seems to be doing extremely well.
Thlangisa and the two cubs are also in tip top shape. The two youngsters are growing day by day and becoming more and more playful. Thlangisa is still providing food on a regular basis, making sure the cubs stay safe and healthy.
Xikavi seems to be pregnant yet again. With the amount of times that she was mating with Nyeleti, we assume that he must be the father. Hopefully this time around her full motherly instincts will kick in and will she be able to raise the cubs to independence.
The Dam 3 female have been her elusive self, and only seen once or twice on rare occasion. She was found on an Impala kill and also once trying to get the affection of Dayone.
The Majingilane males have continued their hostile takeover of the West. Chasing down the females in both prides. They have continued their mating with the Othawa females, and also seem to have mated with one of the Ximhungwe females.
The Othawa pride has managed to keep the two remaining sub adults alive. There have also been reports of one of the sub adults being in the presence of one of the Majingilane males without any aggression. The two sub adults have managed to kill their own Warthog without any assistance from the adults.
The Ximhungwes have kept the Majingilane at bay once again. Two of the males managed to track them down, but the somehow escaped their onslaught and one of the females led them away and mated with the one male. There are still five sub adults alive and well.
Cheetah sightings are becoming a regular thing in the West. We have been lucky to see a couple of individuals over the last two months.
The Hyenas have been very active in the West. Most of the nights you can hear their distinct calls surrounding the camp.
The Wild Dogs decided to make their return to the West. They have brought their new litter of puppies for us to see. These painted wolves are always a special treat for rangers and guests alike.
Some of the migratory birds have already made their return back for Summer. The Wahlbergs Eagles are already in their nests from the previous years and we can hear the call of the Red Chested Cuckoos. We are still awaiting the beautiful call of the Woodland Kingfisher to wake us up in the mornings.
General game sightings never disappoint. With rare sightings of Civet and Serval mixed in with massive herds of Buffalo and Elephant moving through the area.
Summer at Leopard Hills is in full swing as we await the first of the rains to fill up the watering holes and turn the bush into a lush green once again.
Written and compiled by Hugo Breed and Johan de la Rey.