1 to 6 December

Leopard Diaries 1^st-6^th December 2009

This week has seen Simbambili closed for routine maintenance. The floors in the main area have been resurfaced, all of the pools have been resurfaced and new air conditioners have been installed.

As can be expected we have not been out on game drives for much of the week and it was fantastic to get out into the bush again on the afternoon of Saturday 5 December. We can also report that the excellent game viewing has not changed and we were treated to some fantastic sightings over the remainder of the week.

Leopard

We watched Salayexe and her two cubs as they moved away from a duiker kill that had been stolen by a hyena. The trio of leopards moved along with the grace that is inherent of their species. The two cubs lagging behind and stalking each other, using every available piece of grass or small depression to hide in or behind, before rushing out and pouncing on each other. This "play" is crucial to the development of their hunting skills and was thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

Salayexe tried to stalk a large herd of impala that she had encountered but this opportunity was ruined as a spotted hyena bumbled into the herd and sent them scattering in all directions. Knowing the game was up the leopards all lay down in a large Bushwillow thicket.

Lion

The Sandy Patch lioness and her cub were spotted late in the afternoon as they rested in a thicket. The lioness and cub looked rather thin and don't appear to have eaten recently.

Elephant, Rhinoceros & Buffalo

The crash of six rhino, were found in the afternoon after spending the majority of the day wallowing in a large pan. We spent a while watching them as they grazed contentedly along the edge of one of the airstrips.

Large numbers of buffalo are still present on the property and the resident bulls can be found at any temporary pan in the bush as they wallow away the hot days.

Elephant numbers seem to be lower than usual and only one herd has been spotted during the two drives that we made.



The Simbambili Guiding Team