December 2025

Sabi Sand

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Sabi Sand: December 2025

In December, the Lowveld landscape undergoes a breathtaking transformation into what is known as the ‘Green Season,’ as summer rains rejuvenate the parched landscape into a lush, emerald paradise. This vibrant period marks a significant ‘baby boom,’ particularly in the Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park, where thousands of newborns – from wobbly impala lambs to wildebeest calves – fill the plains, subsequently drawing high levels of predator activity from lions and leopards, to the wild dogs, and even cheetah. While the thickened foliage can make spotting wildlife more challenging, it offers spectacular, dust-free conditions for photography and exceptional birdwatching as migratory species arrive from the north. December offers a unique blend of warm summer adventure and the rejuvenating magic of new life.
A snapshot of the sightings for December follows:
Elephants
  • The larger pachyderms have been getting stuck into the lush green oasis that now surrounds them. The warmer summer temperatures mean frequenting the mud wallows, waterholes and rivers for a regular cool off. The little ones keep themselves and each other preoccupied while the adults feast.
Buffaloes
  • A large herd, almost a thousand strong, have been frequenting the grasslands in the south. Western cattle egrets, among other birds, are hot on their hoofs looking for insects they may flush.
Cheetah
  • With the tall summer grass it makes for finding or even spotting the resident male cheetah rather tricky. He recently managed to catch a wildebeest calf, a rare summer sighting indeed!
Leopards
  • The Nkuwa female and her young male cub are thriving with the abundant impala lambs. They were recently seen together with his father, the Thamba male.
  • The Tisela female and her now independent female offspring (Xiluva and Xihangu) continue to frequent the western parts of Singita along the Sand River.
  • The Rivala female is also a fairly permanent resident in the west. She’s a rather photogenic leopard (as are they all), but she’s very accommodating posing in unobstructive branches.
  • The Thamba male has been hard at work with all the rain, having to scent mark all of his pillars and posts to refresh his territory.
  • Other leopard sighting includes the young Vutomi male and the older Nhlanguleni female.
Lions
  • Lion dynamics seem to be on the brink of changing! The Nkuhuma and Talamati males are confirmed to be the fathers of the Mhangeni lioness’ two young cubs. Lucky Luke Botha managed to get a sneak peek at the two tiny cubs! Those two males have also been seen mating with the other Mhangeni lionesses. The young sub-adult male from the Mhangeni Pride is cautiously spending his time in and around the area that the two larger males frequent.
  • The Bateleur Pride of three females have been with the Plains Camp males, close to the lodges. They caught a wildebeest and the Plains Camp males stole that from them. Preoccupied with the kill, the lionesses managed to put some distance between themselves and the males.
  • The Othawa Pride’s five members in their territory north of the swollen Sand River are doing well.
  • Other lion sightings include the Styx male and Kambula lioness.
Unusual sightings
  • An African Civet running past the guides office mid-day!
  • A male and female Reedbuck were seen at the beginning of the month.
  • Marc Bowes-Taylor observed a baboon spider hunting termite alates.
Bird list
  • We have added three more species to the list this month, taking the total to 294 birds. Montagu’s harrier, blue-billed teal and squacco heron being the highlights for the month.