09 November to 16 November 2008

More rain during the week has transformed the bush into a lush green environment with lots of insects, reptiles and even a newborn wildebeest calf being seen .Despite some of the roads being closed due to the rain and inaccessibility, this did not hamper good sightings and we were once again spoiled with exceptional leopard sightings this week.

The female leopard, Nyalethi and her two cubs have been seen regularly in the recently burnt area around Serengeti Pan. The cubs are now close to 8months old and they are getting almost as big as their mother

Shadow, the young female sub-adult made a duiker kill on Central but is unfortunately not yet completely relaxed with vehicles.

Mvula, the young male leopard took his chance one morning in the rain and killed a big female kudu. We found him on the kudu kill only after we spotted some white backed and hooded vultures perched in the trees. He fed on the kudu kill for the best part of two days giving us great viewing. However on the morning of the third day on our return to the site we found that hyenas had stolen the kill and Mvula had unfortunately moved on.

Safari, the old female leopard was seen on Sunday morning with a cut on her left shoulder which she had sustained in a fight with the territorial male Tyson. However she was walking without any difficulty and the injury is not too serious as it doesn't seem to hamper her movement.

Regards The Simbambili Team