April 2026

Sabi Sand

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Sabi Sand: April 2026

Singita Sabi Sand remains lush and green late in the season, due to recent rains. All over the reserve, impala rams can be heard snorting and grunting as we enter the rutting season. Shorter daylight hours and colder weather mean more movement from animals, and more Amarula coffees on drives. Fewer reptiles are out and about as they are getting ready for their winter torpor. Migratory birds have started the long journey back to their summer breeding grounds and shelters. We will be awaiting their return.
Here’s an overview of the month’s sightings:
Elephants
  • Breeding herds and bulls have dispersed. With the dry season approaching, they are expected to move closer to the Sand River.
Buffaloes
  • The large herd of buffalo has been dividing into smaller groups, then re-joining again. Herds of about 100 have been around the central northern areas, close to the lodges. The Nkhumati male lions have been staying close by, trailing the herd.
Lions
  • The Mhangeni Pride has moved into the western section of the Sabi Sand. We have had reports of successful kills made by the pride, and their cubs appear to be doing well.
  • The Plains Camp males have been in the western and northern sections of the reserve, making a surprise appearance every now and again. They were recently reported far north.
  • The Nkhumati male lions are seen regularly in the southern areas and are making their presence known with frequent territorial roaring. In an interesting change of dynamics these two males were recently found mating with the Bateleur Pride females, a pride normally under the protection of the Plains Camp males.
  • The anticipation is finally over. We have confirmed the Tsalala lioness does in fact have cubs! One of our team had the privilege of seeing her move her cubs and we could count at least three, still hidden in the hills to the east of Boulders Lodge.
  • The Kambula males from the east made an appearance on our eastern boundary and can be heard calling in the area every now and again.
Leopards
  • The Nkuwa female and her sub-adult son are doing well. She was recently seen mating with the Thamba male.
  • The Thamba male has been very busy and appears to be spending the majority of his time in the western sector, however this male is known for travelling all over and we are sure he will soon be back to survey his territory.
  • The Tisela female and her two daughters, Xihangu and Xiluva have reunited and were seen for a few days on the reserve, playing and travelling together. The confidence of these two females is clearly starting to grow.
  • The Hlambela male was spotted on the northern bank of the Sand River, and makes his presence known there with frequent vocalisations.
Cheetah
  • With the Mhangeni Pride in the far west, the male cheetah appears to be staying around the southern section of the reserve for longer periods, frequently hunting impala, warthog and young wildebeest.
African wild dogs
  • The Othawa Pack is getting ready to den, the alpha female appears to be quite close to giving birth.
  • The Toulon Pack has been seen recently around our eastern boundary.
Unusual sightings
  • The Nkuwa female leopard’s youngster was seen interacting with two Cape clawless otters!
Bird list
  • We have added 13 new birds to our bird list. Three were from the chat family: mocking cliff chat, African stonechat, and a red-capped robin-chat. Specials were Narina trogon, rock kestrel and a southern fiscal.
By Jenny Hishin
Author / Field Guide