23rd -29th August 2010

23^rd - 29^th August 2010

The return of some of the migratory bird species such as the Yellow-Billed kite and Wahlbergs Eagle is always a good indication that we are headed towards the change of the season as spring starts to show itself here in the bush.

The breeding herds of elephants have also returned and a number of smaller herds are being seen as they move through the property. A large number of buffalo have been seen throughout the area this week, with the herd of approximately 600 buffalo in one individual herd which moved into the open area in front of the lodge and drank and wallowed in the waterhole. To watch as the entire area in front of camp filled with the buffalo was an awe inspiring sighting.

We had fabulous sightings of the resident leopard population this week with the highlight being Tyson and Salayexe mating. This is the first mating since this female has come back into oestrus and we are hoping that if successful this could mean that we will have new arrivals in December. Our guests were amazed to watch as Salayexe who had been resting in the branches of a large Leadwood tree, came down and flirted to entice Tyson to mate with her, this happened in due course and the pair mated twice before moving off into the dense cover provided by the Manyeleti riverbed.

Rhinoceros sightings have been good with a number of sightings of the resident bulls being seen moving through their respective territories. Black rhinoceros tracks have been found on three occasions this week and we are still desperately hoping for our first sighting of this elusive pachyderm.

hree of the Majingilane male lions were seen as they rested under a tree after feeding on a large kill. The trio spent the entire day resting before finally moving towards a pan to slake their thirst. The fourth male appeared later in the evening in the company of one of the Styx pride lionesses, the pair had been mating for a three day period and the entire pride now seems to have been accepted by the four males. The Tsalala pride was also seen late on in the week, with the entire pride of nine being present, all appeared to have fed well and spent the entire day sleeping off their full bellies.

Regards

The Simbambili Guiding and Tracking Team.