Singita Sabi Sand
Singita Sabi Sand: December 2024
December has been a very interesting month in comparison to the same time last year. In the month of December 2023, we had received over 200 mm (7.78 + inches) of rain for the month. This month, at one stage, the Sand River was merely a trickle in front of Ebony and Boulders Lodges. Rain in the surrounding areas have luckily aided the river level and it has subsequently risen. The extreme heat and soaring temperatures continue to force a lot of the general game to congregate around the waterholes and Sand River.
We’ve seen impala numbers almost double over the last month with the addition of all the new lambs! For some, sadly, its over before it even starts as a lot of the predators are taking full advantage of the lambs. Not only impalas but the wildebeest calves and warthog piglets too.
Fruiting marula trees have all the elephants smiling again and we’ve seen them return in their masses. The sour plum tree bearing its fruit has added that bright red Christmas cheer to the bushveld.
We look forward to a very exciting new year here in the Sabi Sands and we thank you all for taking the time to, each month, catch up with our news and stories from the bush!
Here’s an overview of the sightings from December:
Elephants
- The larger herds of elephants have all returned to the Sabi Sands. We have been watching them on a daily basis as they continue to move between the river and the thicker areas that are well shaded for the heat of the day. The younger individuals provide endless entertainment for guests and guides alike! The larger elephant bulls that frequent the southern parts of the property have all scoped out the fruiting marula trees and are cashing in on them.
Buffaloes
- The large herds of buffalo continue to frequent the southern areas of the property. Disturbing all animals including the wild dogs that rest at some of the waterholes during the heat of the day, and being disturbed by the prides and coalitions of lions in the southern parts of the reserve.
Lions
- We continue to find the Tsalala lioness sporadically throughout the reserve, both north and south of the Sand River. She was recently seen with one of the Plains Camp males but we did not note any mating activity.
- The Mhangeni Pride continue to show their faces in the far south. They recently managed to bring down an adult buffalo bull, making the most of the weaker-conditioned individuals given the lack of good rain and vegetation.
- The Talamati and Nkuhuma male were also found feeding on a buffalo bull, presumably one they managed to take down, but with the ever-vocal Plains Camp males around they were not there for long.
- The Plains Camp males have moved far and wide this month. Here one day, gone the next. With the rain washing away all their scent marking pillars and posts they are kept busy re-marking their territory within the reserve.
Leopards
- Thamba, the Houdini, enjoys teasing us with views of him from the decks of Boulders and Ebony. Trying to then find him by vehicle becomes the hard part. He moves at any time of day to patrol his large territory.
- The Nkuwa female has proven elusive for the most part of the month, spotted only a handful of occasions but showing herself when we least expect it. She is making the most of the abundance of warthog piglets and impala lambs.
- The Ntomi male has become a firm favourite amongst the guides. He provides a challenging yet very rewarding tracking mission.
- The shy Ntoma female has also been seen on occasion in the south and western parts of the reserve.
- The Hlambela male inadvertently popped up when the wild dogs forced him up a nearby marula tree! He’s under a lot of pressure from the males in the south (Thamba) and further north-east (Tortoise Pan male).
Cheetah
- The Makatini female has again graced us with her presence and all three of her cubs seem to be thriving! She was recently seen catching an impala lamb and bringing that back to her cubs for them to trip up and try hone their hunting skills.
- The male cheetah has been seen every so often in the southern parts of the reserve.
African wild dogs
- The Othawa Pack of wild dogs have been showing off this month with regular sightings. The eight pups are just about as big as the adults and have rather large appetites – typically taking over at the dinner table when they catch up with the adults after a successful hunt.
Unusual sightings
- Eagle-eye-Sydwell spotted a serval that managed to kill an impala lamb in the long grass! Viewed from a distance we were provided with some interesting views of the rather elusive cat.
- While following the pack of wild dogs hunting close to Castleton Dam, Kayla and her guests stumbled across two honey badgers who weren’t too impressed with them. The two rattled and hissed at the onlookers before running away.