25 August to 01 September 2008

With spring approaching and temperatures already over 40 degrees at times, the bush is transforming rapidly and the game viewing at Simbambili is just getting better and better.

The Tsalala lion pride entertained us again with their amazing hunting skills. Three of the lionesses started stalking Impalas in an open area on the southern part of the property. Using their ability to adapt one of the lionesses broke away in clear view of the Impala and the other two stayed behind using the Land Rover as cover. The first female made her way around the herd of Impala and started chasing them towards the vehicle. The other two lionesses timed their attack to perfection and killed an Impala ram 15m in front of the vehicle. They started feeding almost immediately and it took them about 10 minutes to finish their kill.

The female leopard Nyeleti and her 6 month old male cub entertained us with regular sightings of which two sightings were on kills. The little one is really starting to develop his own character and so far all the signs are there that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years.

Matimba a 2 year old male is also starting to take up a more permanent residence on the property and he entertained everyone with his Impala kill that he hoisted into a Marula tree. Unfortunately for him, Mafufunyane (his father) heard the noise from the kill and forced him off and left him the skin and bones.

We also witnessed very good interaction between Mafufunyane and a new male from the Manyeleti called Mfula. This big male has been seen twice now on the property and all indications are there that he would like to establish his own territory in the area.

With regards the Simbambili Team