September 2024

Singita Sabi Sand

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Singita Sabi Sand: September 2024

The month of September holds major significance in the southern hemisphere as it marks the start of spring. This season, above all others, is the most noticeable as change can be seen in all the elements and biotic components. Trees that have waited for the onset of extended daylight and warmer temperatures now commit to producing their fresh foliage that provides shade and nutritious food for those so dependent on their being. Familiar melodies join the dawn chorus as more and more warm weather visitors fly south in search of better feeding and a chance to breed.

Looking closely on the sand two-tracks we drive we start to see evidence of where reptiles have made their dash across the open path to an alternate refuge. The dry months prior to the turn of the season have been hard on the herbivores and has offered the predators and their young a chance to regain their condition before the green season starts. For our guests there is nothing more engaging as seeing nature’s will and composure amid testing times. These subtle changes are happening daily as they gather momentum in this continuous cycle of life.

Here is a recap of our wildlife viewing for September:

Cheetahs

  • Undoubtedly the highlight of September has been the Makatini female cheetah and her three cubs. She has been given this name to aid us on research of her movements throughout the region and hopefully help us get a better idea of how far she moves. This name stems from the Swahili word for “grounded”.
  • Consistent viewing of her and her cubs has resulted in the best cheetah viewing on Singita in recent years. We have watched her hunt and catch impala, found her feeding on existing kills made in between game drives and, most recently, divert a pack of seven wild dogs safely away from her cubs hiding in the grass. On some days we have had her and the territorial male cheetah seen on the same drive. It appears the litter of cubs is composed of two males and their sister.

Leopards

  • The Nkuwa female leopard has yet again been trying to entice the three-and-half-year-old Ntomi male which, according to literature, is not fully sexually mature or considered a “resident” male. His large stature bodes him well in potentially keeping his home range until he matures.
  • The two young males of the Nkuwa female have been spending most of their time along the Sand River close to the confluence of the Mobeni River. The sightings of these individuals have been separate from their mother and are often found by themselves. They are now entering the nomadic period as newly independent leopards. A challenging time for these felines with many uncertainties ahead of them.
  • To the north of Ebony and Boulders Lodges the Hlambela male has pushed further east up towards Rangers’ Rock. Some mornings we can hear as he roars periodically while patrolling along the Sand River displaying his presence to other male leopards.
  • Thamba male leopard seems to be moving towards Khoza Pan more and more on his patrols. His large spoor that can be seen on prominent tracks and pathways have helped us get an idea of exactly where he moves, even when he has not been seen.

Lions

  • The Tsalala lioness and her growing cubs, two females and a male, have been seen every day of the month. Her hunting ground along the sand river has everything she needs, which is places of refuge for her cubs while she hunts the abundance of small to medium sized herbivores that need to come to the river for food and water. In one week, we recorded her with four kills, two impalas, and nyala bull and a warthog, which was captured in front of Boulders main deck and carried back east closer to her cubs. She has also been seen with both the Plains Camp male lions making for unbelievable viewing.
  • We have noticed the two Ximungwe lionesses and their two older cubs of ten months frequenting the western parts of Singita’s stretch of the Sand River more and more. For quite some time it was the two younger Othawa lionesses that were often found in that area, but they have seemed to be pushed north by the growing pride of four.
  • One standout morning regarding lion viewing was sighting five different prides all in one drive! The Nkuhuma Breakaway brother and sister hunted a kudu bull which attracted the attention of the Mhangeni Pride who chased them off and finished the kill, only to have the Kambula lions move into the area following the vultures descending on the leftovers. The Othawa lionesses were seen at Ingrid’s Dam and the Tsalala Pride close to Boulders Lodge, also on the same morning.

African wild dogs

  • The Othawa Pack has been moving with all ten of their pups. The pack now numbers 17 and has been viewed hunting in the central west to the south on Singita. Many of the herbivores are feeling the impact of a hot, lingering dry season that has been unforgiving for many plants-dependent mammals, and the wild dogs, like many of the predators, have regained their condition after a good rainy season at the beginning of the year.

Elephants

  • The increase in daytime temperatures has ushered many herds of elephants to their favourite mud wallows, mostly along the Sand River where permanent water can be found. We have also seen an increase in bull elephants, some of which boast impressive ivory tusks. With knobthorns and marula trees starting to grow new leaves they are attracting these heavy-weights from far and wide.

Buffalos

  • The large herd of buffalo are now numbering close to 1 000 members and covering big stretches of ground to find grazing. It is during this time of the year when it is not uncommon to see them browsing on new green leaves to supplement their diet.

Birds

  • We did not record any new species for the year this month and our total sits at 288 for 2024. We have been delighted to see the return of the yellow-billed hawks and Wahlberg’s eagles, back to breed. Along the river we have noticed common and wood sandpipers returning as well. The birdlife has been on overdrive with plenty of courtships and breeding happening.

Unusual sightings

  • The turn of the season this time of year is arguably the best time to see the biggest variety of shy, nocturnal animals, and the numbers don’t lie. Looking at our daily sightings report show that honey badgers have been seen far more than any other month thus far, foraging during daylight hours. An increase in insect activity is a possible cause.
  • We had one pangolin sighting which also led to Ross finding a caracal while on his way to join the sighting.
  • Other small cat records for September include African wild cat and serval.