July 2025
Pamushana Lodge
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Pamushana Lodge: July 2025
Many of our guests this month have been first time safari goers, and it’s such a joy to be able to show visitors their very first wild lion or rhino – or whatever their personal favourite and wish is. June is one of the best months to visit in terms of wildlife sightings as the bush is dry and sparse which makes visibility that much better. On several occasions this month we’ve seen three or more species gathered around a waterhole – such as the scene at Banyini Pan where there was a crash of five white rhinos, three adult bull buffalos and a lone hyena all sharing the same space, but slightly apart from one another. An additional advantage of the dry sparse months is that it means we can conduct bush walks, which are always such a special way to appreciate the wilderness and immerse yourself in it.
A sightings snapshot for July follows:
Lions
- Buffalo and zebra were on the menu for lions this month.
- The Nduna Pride were seen regularly, and with the three dominant males in attendance.
- The prides on the Hippo Valley side, and along the Chiredzi River provided excellent viewing, especially when on one occasion 11 of them were seen together.
Leopards
- There’s lovely news about another set of leopard cubs. The story of our first sighting of them follows in this journal.
Wild dogs
- Pups abound! We are delighted to announce that the pack of eight that denned in the Hippo Valley south area have ten pups! We are yet to ascertain how many pups the larger pack in the north has had, but they should be leaving their den-site in the next few weeks.
- Opportunistic hyenas have been trailing the wild dog adults, especially now as they need to hunt more than ever and make more kills in order to feed the pups.
Rhinos
White rhinos:
- White rhino sightings are incredible, as always. One morning drive notched up eight individuals, which impressed our guests immensely.
Black rhinos:
- Black rhinos have been providing good viewing too. Four individuals were seen near the Chiredzi River – the first two were a cow and calf that didn’t hang around, but the next two black rhinos were very relaxed and our guests got to observe them for almost an hour.
- A curious black rhino bull approached a game-viewing vehicle three times in a row, in the Nyari area, giving guests indelible memories, incredible photos, and accelerated heartbeats!
Elephants
- There was a beautiful sighting at the river crossing point of a relaxed breeding herd of elephants drinking and walking in front of the vehicle.
- At the Chiredzi/Nyamasikana confluence, over 50 elephants walked along the dry riverbed heading towards the water, while at the same time an adult male leopard walked along the upper bank, heading south.
- Bull elephants have been spending a lot of time at Banyini Pan. One bull elephant was seen breaking down an umbrella tree, and another in full musth gave the vehicle a few mock charges, adding excitement to the sighting.
Hyenas
- A bizarre sight was seeing an elephant enjoying a scratch at a waterhole, while a hyena rested its chin on an old buffalo skull - like a pillow!
Buffalos
- A herd of over 200 buffalos trundled along from the Nyamasikana Bridge towards the Chiredzi River. When they arrived at a natural pan along the way that only had mud in it, some decided to have a mudbath before making their way to the river for a drink. Buffalos have such character – you tend to view them as one unit but each individual is unique!
- It is delightful to see quite a few calves amid the large herds.
Plains game
- It’s good to see sable, eland and hartebeest in these drier times, as well as the daily sightings of giraffes (including calves), zebras, wildebeest, and impala. A crowd favourite are the shaggy-coated waterbuck seen closer to the permanent natural water sources.
Other sightings/observations
- Brief sighting of two honey badgers along Chiredzi River.
- At last we have good photographic evidence of a brown hyena, thanks to Head Guide, Brad Fouché, seeing one close to Hwata Pan:
Boat cruises
- These are just the best! So zen, so relaxing, and the most beautiful way to appreciate the scenery, sunset and sundowners. On the wildlife front birds, hippos and crocodiles are guaranteed. Bird enthusiasts counted 28 different species on one outing. A highlight was seeing a pied kingfisher that had caught a small bream and was tenderising it by beating it on a tree. There were so many wildlife bonuses this month that included seeing elephants, black rhinos, lions, buffalo, waterbuck and impala on the shoreline.
Photographic hide
- During the course of the month a diverse array of animals have been seen utilising the water source in front of our sunken photographic hide. They include: white rhinos, a black rhino bull, elephants, zebras, breeding herds of buffalo, buffalo bulls, warthogs, impala, Lichtenstein hartebeest, eland, and black-backed jackals. It’s also an excellent place for birding.
- In one sighting 60 buffalo joined several white rhinos and one elephant bull, creating an intense scene.
Walks
- On one walk north of a life-sustaining spring two curious white rhino bulls were observed at close (but safe) range. However, everyone, including the porcupine, was startled when it surprised the party from among the roots of a fig tree.
Boat Cruise and Fishing
- Tranquil sunrise and sunset cruises have been enjoyed with good bird sightings, hippos, a lone elephant bull and an injured buffalo bull. Not as many crocodiles have been seen basking due to the cooler temperatures. The fish are also not as active at this time, so fewer bream and tigerfish have been biting.
Rock art
- Guests loved taking the short walk to the Chinzwini rock art site, to admire the paintings that offer a glimpse into the past, and the culture of those who came before us.
Gonarezhou National Park
- Day trips to the national park have been thoroughly enjoyed, with exceptional sightings of elephant herds, as well as good buffalo viewing, and, of course, the guaranteed impressiveness of the striated Chilojo Cliffs.
By Jenny Hishin
Author / Field Guide