September 2025

Kruger National Park

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Kruger National Park: September 2025

September has been a month of wild swings out here in the bush! Some days have been scorching, pushing up to 40°C (104°F), while others have surprised us with chilly gusting winds - making it hard to believe it's the same time of year. The dry season is in full swing now, and as water becomes scarce, most of the wildlife has gathered along the N’wanetsi River, making for some incredible sightings. We have witnessed a few dramatic stand-offs between lions, each encounter reminding us just how raw and real life is out here. The skies have put on a show too—every sunrise and sunset painted in rich auburn and orange tones. To top it off, a few of the migratory birds have returned, bringing with them the first whispers of the coming summer.
A Sightings Snapshot for September follows:
Lions
  • The Mananga Pride has settled into an area surrounding a reliable water source that persists even through the driest months. Their recent success in hunting yielded multiple impalas and a few other unidentified meals. Each sighting we had of them revealed well-fed lions, resting lazily in the shade, panting as they digested their latest kill. However, this peaceful period was interrupted when the Sonop males ventured further south of their established territory and potentially encountered the pride. Since that moment, we have observed only two or three individuals, most notably the adult females, who appear to be reaching sexual maturity or are on the brink of oestrus. This could be a tactical move on the part of the pride, particularly if they are still nursing vulnerable cubs at risk of infanticide by unrelated males. We suspect that the pride has retreated west of our concession, and we remain hopeful they will return in the near future.
  • Historically, during the dry season, the Shish Pride migrates into the south of our concession, capitalising on the high concentrations of prey around the N’wanetsi River. This year, their movements have followed a similar pattern. At the start of the month, they were spotted traversing the scenic river bend between Ostrich-link Fly Camp and Dave’s Crossing—an area rich in biodiversity, with a large sycamore fig tree, a mature natal mahogany, and a variety of striking riparian vegetation. This region also serves as the core territory of the Dumbana female leopard, and one morning we observed her dragging a fresh impala carcass toward a thicket by the river. Coincidentally, the Shish Pride was moving northward at the time, and they swiftly chased the leopard off her kill. The impala didn’t last long among the nine members of the pride, and the intense growling and squabbling over the carcass attracted the attention of the “short-maned” male, who has been exploring the area for the past few months. He trailed the pride for several days, and surprisingly, they seemed to grow accustomed to his presence. That was until one night, when we spent some time with the male as he rested after a hearty meal, while the Shish Pride remained less than 50 metres away. As dusk fell, the pride moved toward the river to drink after a scorching day of 41°C (104°F). The male followed closely behind. Unaware of what would unfold that evening, we left to return to the lodge for dinner.
  • It’s likely that the Sonop males, a coalition of three dominant lions, heard the “short-maned” male roaring as he confidently established his presence, attempting to assert his dominance over the Shish Pride. The Sonop males, who have been expanding their range in recent months, were within earshot and responded instinctively. Upon examining the tracks and signs the following morning, it became evident that a confrontation had occurred. The “short-maned” male now bears a fresh set of claw marks on his rump, but fortunately for him, it appears he escaped with only this injury before fleeing the scene. Meanwhile, the Shish Pride, skilled in avoiding unrelated males, retreated into the mountains and has not been seen since. The following day, we found what we believe to be their tracks, leading from the lodge grounds and into the Kruger National Park.
  • To stir things up once again, the Sonop males paid a visit to the Shish territory at the end of the month. After many days without seeing the pride, they had briefly come into our concession long enough for us to find them feeding on a wildebeest bull. The next day only three members were seen, all looking incredibly unsettled and staring in the direction of the Sonop males. Realising that the Shish Pride was still not accepting their advances, the two brothers turned and hastily headed back west to their territory.
Leopards
  • At the beginning of the month, the Dumbana female was observed racing across the road with the shy male in hot pursuit behind her. He has recently established himself in the area west of the N’wanetsi River, just north of the lodges. Their behaviour suggested that she may be coming into oestrus again, and he appeared to be responding to her olfactory cues. Her most recent litter is now approaching two years of age and are largely independent. We haven’t seen her young male since early last month—typical behaviour for a dispersing young leopard. Her daughter, however, has remained within her mother’s territory, frequenting the last remaining water sources, particularly around Xinenene Poort—a stunning geological formation of volcanic rock that forms a permanent water feature.
  • On one occasion, we found the young female near a kudu carcass, thanks to a prominent drag mark across the road, flanked by her petite paw prints. The size of the carcass suggested she had likely scavenged it, as it was far too heavy for her to hoist into a tree. Instead, she had dragged it into a nearby thicket along the Xinenene drainage line for concealment.
  • Dumbana’s son has been more elusive this month, spending most of his time on the western half of his mother’s territory.
  • As the dry season intensifies, antelope are rapidly losing condition, and the predators are taking full advantage. Earlier this month, we encountered the old Nhlanguleni female resting in the shade of an apple-leaf tree. She had hoisted the remains of a nyala into the lower branches. With a full belly, she panted heavily in the heat before rising and making her way to a nearby leadwood tree. With a graceful leap, she ascended to a dead branch, pausing to scan her surroundings. Satisfied, she climbed a little higher and settled on a horizontal limb, perfectly contoured to cradle her head while allowing her distended belly to hang comfortably to the side. Her eyes slowly closed as she drifted into a deep sleep.
  • The Lebombo male has shown no signs of slowing down either. Nearly every sighting of him reveals a full belly and half-lidded eyes, heavy with the lethargy of recent meals. Like the others, he is making the most of this season of opportunity. After a few days absence, we found him with a female, on the banks of the N’wanetsi River, with whom he has been mating for the last few days. She is a female we see from time to time, but has yet to be habituated to our vehicles. This shows just how vast and untouched the Kruger National Park is, that some animals can live their whole life without seeing a single vehicle.
African wild dogs
  • A pack of three, two males and one female, that were denning on our concession at the end of last month are still in the area. They have since relocated the den-site further north along the granophyre ridge, near an old hyena den. The new location is a burrow beneath a rocky outcrop, offering excellent shelter from the elements as well as protection from larger mammals that could pose a threat to the pups.
  • By mid-month, sightings of the pack became more frequent, though now occurring further west of their original territory. This shift may indicate that the pups have left their den-site. There are currently five playful pups, and the adults are diligently working to meet the growing nutritional needs of their young. One morning, we observed the pack taking down an impala ram, with the pups eagerly devouring as much as their small bellies could manage. Amid the long dry grass, all that could be seen were their comically large ears and the distinctive white tufts at the tips of their tails.
Spotted hyenas
  • At the beginning of the month, a large hyena clan, at least twelve individuals, including several cubs, found themselves in the right place at the right time. It was a warm late afternoon, just after sunset, when a lone wild dog launched an attack on an unsuspecting impala ewe. The sound of rocks tumbling beneath the chase alerted the nearby hyenas, and within less than a minute, they had rushed in. The wild dog was swiftly driven off, and the clan erupted into a chorus of eerie whoops and guttural growls. Snarling and shoving, they lunged at the carcass, each one competing for a bite as they tugged and twisted at the fresh meat in a frenzied scramble.
Elephants
  • Two very fortunate guides and their guests had the rare privilege of witnessing the precious moments of a brand-new elephant calf just after its birth. For nearly an hour, the tiny calf struggled to find its footing. Born near the river's edge, its first moments were interrupted when a large bull elephant approached, drawn by the commotion, and mounted the mother. In the process, the newborn calf was inadvertently pushed into the water! Without hesitation, the herd sprang into action. In a remarkable display of teamwork and ingenuity, they pulled reeds from the riverbank and spread them over the slippery mud. After what seemed like an eternity, the calf finally managed to scramble out of the water, where it was lovingly comforted by its mother and several other females in the herd.
  • The elephants are effectively thinning out the already sparse bushveld, now targeting the remaining leafless branches of the raisin bushes. They strip the cambium layer from these branches with the same methodical precision as one would eat corn on the cob. The last remaining pans have transformed into mud wallows, and every afternoon, we observe at least four or more herds scattered along the N'wanetsi River.
Buffalos
  • At this time of year, resources within Kruger National Park become increasingly scarce, which takes a toll on the buffalo population. Weakened individuals, in search of better protection, often band together in larger herds for safety. These herds, sometimes reaching up to 2 000 members, must cover vast distances to meet their nutritional needs. This month, buffalo sightings have been relatively rare. A number of dagga boys have been roaming near the northern boundary, while a large herd of approximately 700 spent a week in and around the Gudzane Dam area, likely drawn by the limited but available water and grazing.
Plains game
  • September has delivered exceptional plains game sightings across Singita Kruger National Park. In the central depression, we’ve been treated to the rare spectacle of large giraffe groups—sometimes up to 20 individuals—roaming together across the open terrain. The impala ewes are now showing clear signs of pregnancy, their growing bellies a sure indication that the lambing season is near. Wildebeest numbers have also swelled noticeably, forming larger herds than we’ve seen in recent years. Much of the game has concentrated along the N’wanetsi River in the east and around Gudzane Dam in the west, drawn by the last remaining water sources as the dry season deepens.
Rare animals and other sightings
  • This month, we’ve been fortunate to spot several rare species, including a serval, a white-tailed mongoose, and a sable antelope. These animals are considered rare in this area due to a combination of factors, including their specific habitat requirements and low population densities. The serval, with its preference for dense, tall grasslands and wetlands, is elusive, often avoiding human activity. The white-tailed mongoose, a nocturnal and solitary creature, is shy and tends to stay hidden in dense scrub or woodland. As for the sable antelope, its rarity in this region is due to historical hunting pressures and habitat loss, making it a sought-after but elusive sighting. Their presence in the park is a testament to the rich biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts.
  • Incredibly, we’ve recorded a second pangolin sighting in just six weeks—an exciting addition to our September observations. Judging by its size, location, and the condition of its scales, we’re confident this is a different individual from the first. Pangolins are among the rarest and most secretive mammals in Africa, and with no definitive data on their population within Kruger National Park, every sighting is a remarkable event. These elusive, nocturnal creatures are rarely encountered, making two sightings in such a short time both thrilling and deeply encouraging.
Birds
  • As the season shifts, several migrant species have begun to return. The resident pale morph Wahlberg’s eagle was spotted at its nest early in the month, a welcome sign of its seasonal presence. The distinctive call of the Klaas’s cuckoo—its "meitjie, meitjie" (Afrikaans onomatopoeia) has also been heard echoing through the landscape. On the 19th, the first flock of European bee-eaters was observed flying just north of the lodge, signalling the arrival of the migratory wave. At Dave’s Crossing, a lesser moorhen was sighted. While predominantly an intra-African migrant, some lesser moorhens do overwinter in suitable habitats within southern Africa, though they remain elusive and often prefer to stay hidden in dense cover.