July 2025

Sabi Sand

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Sabi Sand: July 2025

As we pass the half mark in 2025 we reflect this month not only on the marvels of nature that keep on giving but also the life changing moments we are a part of with our treasured guests. As guides we are in the prime position to hear reactions and comments from those that travel from far to witness Nature first hand. “I never want to leave,” and “This is the best vacation ever,” are some comments we hear often. For some it was the first time seeing the southern skies at night, constellations that were all new to someone that had spent many nights photographing the stars in the northern hemisphere, while others pushed their personal comfort zones to experience the bushveld on foot. Feelings and emotions which can be heart-racing or heart-warming are what we hope our guests experience.
A sightings snapshot for July follows:
Elephants
  • Temperatures have been cool to mild and there has been less mud bathing along the Sand River but the river valley has provided woody reed species and dense grass stands. Ebony trees which are fruiting, have been a good starting point when looking for elephants.
  • A special sighting was coming across a newly born elephant calf that must have been hours old. For the guests witnessing such an intimate time of an elephant’s life, this alone, “Made the trip worthwhile.” The mother elephant still had afterbirth on her trunk from helping the tiny elephant to its feet.
Buffaloes
  • The herds of buffalo have been feeding in all parts of the reserve, from the south all the way to the Sand River, occasionally spending the midday period resting in the river itself. Food is scarce so their movements are further and further, day by day. Signs of the herds are ever present as their dung litters the surroundings, an important ecological influence.
Lions
  • The Othawa Pride is now four members stronger as they have been seen with their new cubs across the Sand River, in the safety of the Hukumuri riverbed.
  • The Ximungwe Pride has been viewed a few times to the west of the lodges. On one occasion hunting a waterbuck successfully, only to have it stolen by one of the Plains Camp lions moments later.
  • The Tsalala lioness is close to giving birth. She has been seen from Ebony and Boulders Lodges every other day hunting as much as possible as they day nears to the arrival of her new litter. She captivated guests during while they had lunch, by giving chase to a herd of waterbuck in the Sand River.
  • The Mhangeni Pride, now three adult females and just three remaining sub-adult lions, have been hunting mainly in the south of Singita and have had successful kills of buffalo and wildebeest. The Talamati and Nkuhuma males have taken over as pride males.
Leopards
  • The Nkuwa female and her two cubs are doing well and we have noticed a relaxed nature around the vehicles from the cubs. Guests have had front row seats to leopard viewing from these three cats.
  • Another female that has taken our breath away is the Rivala female who has been viewed resting in some of the ancient trees of the Sand River, valley close to Ebony Lodge.
  • We have had the occasional sighting of a young male leopard that must have come from beyond the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve boundaries. He is still getting used to the vehicles and will require more time around the game viewers before he is comfortable with us. A rewarding process to be a part of.
  • The Ntoma female had been seen mating with the Thamba male.
  • The Ntomi male made a successful kill as a storm rolled in from the south, only to have it stolen by a male lions. The setting made for a once-in-a-lifetime sighting as the winds picked up, rain poured down, and the leopard watched from a tree as his hard-earned impala kill was fought over by the Nkuhuma and Talamati male lions below.
Cheetah
  • In the south the territorial male cheetah has been providing regular sightings for our guests. Some guests have even witnessed him in full sprint as he hunted an impala.
African wild dogs
  • Although the Othawa Pack is denning with the current litter beyond our traversing, they have been hunting quite frequently in the western parts of Singita.
Bird List
  • Our bird count reached 280 species, with a great record of a white-crowned lapwing seen from Ebony main deck. Other worthwhile mentions include the southern white-faced owl and marsh owl.