Sightings from last night and this morning

30 Jan PM
3 Mapogo male lions
Impala
Kudu

31 Jan AM
Dewane male leopard
Ximhungwe pride of lions
Elephant bull
Impala
Waterbuck
Kudu
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

29 Jan PM
Ximhungwe lion pride (4 cubs present)
3 Mapogo male lions
Lots of giraffe
Impala
Kudu
Waterbuck.

30 Jan AM
3 Mapogo male lions
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Impala
Steenbok
Nyala
Giraffe
Zebra
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

28 Jan PM
Ravenscourt female leopard on the lodge access
Giraffe
Elephant bull
Impala
Waterbuck
Wildebeest

29 Jan AM
3 Mapogo male lions
Buffalo herd
Elephant herd
Giraffe
Kudu
Nyala
Impala
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings for last night and this morning

27 Jan PM
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard
Ximhungwe pride of lions, 3 females 4 cubs
Buffalo bulls
Nyala
Warthogs
Waterbuck
Impala

28 Jan AM
Ximhungwe pride
Elephant herd
Buffalo big herd
Waterbuck
Impala
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

26 Jan PM
Ximhungwe pride (3 females 4 young) eating a waterbuck.
Elephant herd chasing the lions off the kill. Scrub hare
Impala
Waterbuck
Nyala
Warthog
Vervet monkey

27 Jan AM
Ximhungwe pride at waterbuck kill.
Buffalo herd
Impala.
Kudu.
Nyala
Warthog
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

AM Drive Sightings 26 Jan 2012

Dewane male leopard
Elephant herd
Buffalo bull
Impala
Warthog
Nyala
Hippo out of the water
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

PM Drive Sightings 25 Jan 2012

Kashane male leopard
Elephant herd
Kudu
Impala
Scrub-hare
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

AM Drive Sightings 25 Jan 2012

Kashane male leopard relaxing in a tree.
Impala
Waterbuck
Nyala
Vervet Monkey
Warthog
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

PM Drive Sightings 24 Jan 2012

2 Mapogo male lions.
1 Mapogo male lion with Ximhungwe female, sleeping.
Elephant bull.
Impala.
Hippo.
Nyala.
Vervet Monkey
Baboon.

AM Drive Sightings 24 Jan 2012

Ximhungwe pride, 2 adults + 4 youngsters
Buffalo bull
Elephant herd.
Impala
Nyala
Waterbuck
Duiker
Warthog.
And dwarf mongoose.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

PM Drive Sightings 23 Jan 2012 (first real drive after the floods)

Dewane male leopard roaring.
2 Mapogo following vultures across to the East.
One elephant bull.
Impala
Nyala
Warthog.
Waterbuck
Vervet monkeys
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Hlab’nkunzi Female Leopard And Cub In Our Storage Shed – VIDEO

Update – After the rain…

You may have noticed that for the last few days there have been no sightings updates, that was due to having a massive downpour of 345mm over 48hrs, the tropical storm Dando was responsible, luckily it had been downgraded to a tropical depression by the time it his us!

Here are some photos that our manager, Rudi Hulshof, took during the flooding:

The overflow from Shadulu Dam in front of the lodge.

Too much water for the overflow, Shadulu dam starts to come over the wall.

View from inside Shadulu Dam hide.

The Sand River – 300m wide!

 

Luckily the lodge was not damaged during the flood and all the guests were evacuated safely. There was extensive damage to the access roads but they should all be fixed soon.

Despite not being out on drive the staff had had sightings of lion and leopard inside the lodge – Hlab’nkunzi female leopard and her cub have been sheltering under the deck at room 7 and two of the Mapogo coalition of male lions walked through the lodge last night!

The lodge should re-open on Monday so look out for sightings updates again then!

Sightings from last night and this morning

16 Jan PM
Elephant herd x2
Buffalo herd
Zebra
Impala
Waterbuck
Kudu
Nyala
Warthog

17 Jan AM
Pack of 9 African wild dog/painted hunting dog
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Ground hornbills
Impala
Nyala
Waterbuck
Warthog
Hippo
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

15 Jan PM
Ximhungwe pride of lions and 3 Mapogo males still close to the lodge
Elephant herd swimming next to the lions, lions were roaring at the time
Giraffe
Impala
Nyala
Waterbuck
Duiker

16 Jan AM
Tlangisa female leopard
Elephants
Hippo
Impala
Waterbuck
Bushbuck
Nyala
Warthog

Sightings from last night and this morning

14 Jan PM
Tassleberry female leopard, still on site with her duiker kill
Hyena at the leopard sighting
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard and cub around the lodge
Elephant herd
Elephant musth bull
Giraffe
Impala
Waterbuck
Southern African python

15 Jan AM
Xinzele male leopard
Ximhungwe pride of lions and 3 Mapogo males lying outside the lodge
Elephant herd
Buffalo bulls
Wildebeest
Impala
Kudu
Waterbuck
Hippo
Crocodile

Sightings from last night and this morning:

13 Jan PM
Tassleberry female leopard with a duiker kill
Buffalo herd
Elephant herd
Impala
Nyala
Warthog
Waterbuck
Scrub- hare
Serval

14 Jan AM
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard going into her shed
Shangwa female leopard
Tlangisa female leopard
Ximunghwe lion pride with one Mapogo male lion
Elephant (musth bull)
Kudu
Bushbuck
Impala
Nyala
Warthog
Hippo

Sightings from last night and this morning

12 Jan PM
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Waterbuck
Impala
Nyala
Warthog
Zebra
Duiker
Scrub-hare
Boomslang

13 Jan AM
Tlangisa female leopard with baby impala kill
Hippo
Impala
Kudu
Waterbuck
Nyala
Warthog
Impala

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

11 Jan PM
Ximhungwe lion pride and one Mapogo male lion
Warthog
Nyala
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Wildebeest
Steenbok
Impala

12 Jan AM
Tlangisa female leopard
Warthog
Nyala
Elephant
Wildebeest
Giraffe
Hippos
Impala
Waterbuck

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

10 Jan PM
Xikavi female leopard
Kashane male leopard feeding on a warthog piglet that he killed outside the reception building at Idube, unfortunately he was extremely well hidden
Zebra
Giraffe
Hippo
Impala
Waterbuck
Kudu
Scrub-hare
Chameleon

11 Jan AM
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard walking into the lodge, it is thought that her cub/s might be hidden in or around the lodge now
One Mapogo male lion walking in front of the lodge
Ximhungwe lion pride with Mr.T Mapogo
Elephant bull walking in front of the lodge
Elephant herd
Waterbuck
Impala
Duiker
Hippo
Nyala

Sightings from last night and this morning

9 Jan PM
Dam 3 female leopard being chased by Makulu Mapogo
Ximhungwe lion pride with one Mapogo male
Elephant herd
Elephant bulls
Big buffalo herd swimming in a pan
Buffalo bulls
Impala
Kudu
Wildebeest
Steenbok
Scrub-hare
Waterbuck
Hippo

10 Jan AM
Shangwa female leopard and son with a bushbuck kill
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard and Kashane male leopard INSIDE the lodge
Elephants
Giraffe
Hippo
Buffalo
Kudu
Nyala
Impala
Duiker

Sightings from last night and this morning

8 Jan PM
Xinzele male leopard
Buffalo bulls
Buffalo huge herd
Elephant herds
Elephant bull in musth
Impala
Waterbuck
Steenbok
Duiker
Wildebeest
Scrub-hare
Chameleon

9 Jan AM
Shangwa 3:3 young male leopard
Ximhungwe lion pride with 1 Mapogo male
Makulu Mapogo male lion
Buffalo big herd
Elephant herd
Crocodile
Impala
Kudu
Wildebeest
Nyala
Vervet monkey
Steenbok

Sightings from last night and this morning

7 Jan PM
2 Mapogo male lions
Serval
Hyena
Buffalo
Elephants
Wildebeest
Hippo
Chameleon
Spotted bush snake
Giraffe
Impala
Waterbuck
Warthog

8 Jan AM
Dewane male leopard
Elephants
Giraffe
Impala
Wildebeest
Steenbok
Warthog
Nyala
Vervet monkey
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

6 Jan PM
Ximhungwe lion pride, together with 3 Mapogo male lions, digesting a small kill
Elephants
Buffalo herd
Impala
Waterbuck
Steenbok
Duiker
Nyala
Scrub-hare

7 Jan AM
Shangwa 3:3 young male leopard
2 Mapogo male lions, chasing birds
Elephant
Buffalo
Wildebeest
Impala
Waterbuck
Giraffe
Kudu
Nyala
Warthog

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Sightings from last night and this morning

5 Jan PM
Ximhungwe lion pride and 3 Mapogo males finishing the buffalo carcass
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Puff adder
Scrub-hare
Impala
Waterbuck
Kudu
Steenbok

6 Jan AM
Metsi female leopard with impala kill
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard
Ximhungwe lion pride with 3 Mapogo males sleeping and digesting their meal
Buffalo bulls
Buffalo herd
Hyena chasing jackal pups
Impala
Kudu
Duiker

Updated Western Sector Leopard ID Kit (Current Leopards) Jan 2012

 

Females

Tlangisa

Relaxed, seems to have settled in the western central region

Spots: 3:4

Born: April 2009

Mother: Mabirri

Father: Possibly Tulamanzi

Pictures: R Vamplew

Metsi

Relaxed, mostly seen in SW areas of the Western sector

Spots: 4:2

Born: Oct 2006

Mother: Mabirri

Father: Possibly Kinky Tail

Young: 2 Males (3:3 + 3:4) Born May 2010

Pictures: JF Poudron

Ravenscourt/Sindile

Territorial on Singita Has been seen recently on P.5, Exeter South and Idube North

Spots: 2:3 (Actually 3:3 up close but 2 spots on right side almost fused)

Born: Dec 2001

Mother: Makwela

Father: Wallingford

Litter-mates: Mabirri and Tsonga Females

Young: Ravenscourt/Ximobonyane Male b. Mar 2006

Xinzele Male b. Nov 2007

Young male b. April/May 2009 (were 2 one d. June 2010)

Pictures: L Pearson

Hlab'nkunzi

Relaxed, taken over her mother's territory, seen all over the central Western sector

Spots: 3:2

Born: May 2006

Mother: Makwela

Father: Wallingford Male

Young: None yet surviving (lost 1^st litter to Xinzele male)

Pictures: JF Poudron

Shangwa

Relaxed, Territory mainly along the river between Ottawa, Exeter and Singita

Has recently been pushed more into Ottawa by the Ravenscourt female

Spots: 3:4

Born: Nov 1998

Mother: Tavangumi

Father: Prob. Mbombi

Young: Makubela Female and Tegwaan Male b. Dec 2003

Xikavi and Nchila Females b. Sep/Oct 2005

Blue Eyed Female b. Nov 2008

3:3 Male born late 2010

Pictures: R Vamplew

Xikavi

Relaxed, seen on Exeter, Inyati, Dulini and Idube

Spots: 3:3

Born: Sep 2005

Mother: Shangwa

Father: Ottawa

Littermates: Nchila Female

Pictures: L Pearson/R Vamplew

Dam 3

Often very shy, seldom seen, often confused with Hippo Dam

Spots: 3:3

Born: Unknown

Mother: Possibly Hippo Dam

Father: Probably Wallingford

Pictures: R Hulshof

Hippo Dam

Shy, seldom seen, often confused with Dam 3, seen on Inyati property

Spots: 3:4

Born: 199?

Parents: Unknown

Young: Possibly the mother of Treetops Male and Dam3 Female

Pictures: JF Poudron

Tassleberry Female

Seen on the eastern half of Savanna property, moves into the East

Spots: 2:4

Origins: Unknown

Pictures: R Hulshof

Mobeni Female

Slightly shy, seen on eastern Idube and north-eastern Savanna

Spots: 4:3 (1 spot below whisker line on the right)

Origins: Unknown

Young: Recently seems to have lost a young male cub at around 6months old. Was originally a litter of 2

Pictures: R Vamplew

Males

 

 

Kashane (Lisbon)Male

Relaxed. Territorial on Idube and Savanna and into the East

Spots: 3:3

Born: 2005

Mother: Kapen Female of Mala Mala

Father: Hlaruini Male

Pictures: R Brightman

Xinzele

Relaxed. Territorial in the central to western part of the area

Spots: 3:3

Born: Nov 2007

Mother: Ravenscourt

Father: Probably Xindlevhana

Pictures: L Pearson

Xindlevhana

Skittish but relaxed at night. Big older male with a chunk missing from his right ear, seen since 2007 on Idube and Exeter, May have been referred to as the Robson male at some point

Spots: 3:3

Origins as yet unconfirmed

Pictures: L Pearson/R Vamplew

Mashiabanj Male

Has been seen often in the West since November 2009. Now seems to be territorial north of the river

Spots: 3:4

Born: Jan 2008

Mother: Kikelezi/Xidulu female of Mala Mala/Londolozi

Father: Camp Pan Male

Pictures: L Pearson/R Vamplew

Dewane Male

(Originally the Bushlodge/Balabas male from Sabi Sabi)

Moved into western sector from Sabi Sabi in March 2011. Seems to have set up territory in the south-western areas

Spots: 2:4

Born: Nov 2007

Mother: Warthog Wallow Female

Pictures: JF Poudron

Metsi 3:3 Son

Very Shy, usually runs from the car

Spots: 3:3 (1:1 between whisker line)

Born: May 2010

Mother: Metsi

Father: Tegwaan

Pictures: JF Poudron

Metsi 3:4 Son

Relaxed

Spots: 3:4 (1 spot between left whisker line)

Born: May 2010

Mother: Metsi

Father: Tegwaan

Pictures: JF Poudron

Shangwa 3:3 Son

Still Dependant

Spots: 3:3

Parents: Shangwa Female & Xindlevhana Male

Born: 2010

Pictures: R Vamplew

Sightings from last night and this morning

4 Jan PM
Xinzele male leopard eating a tortoise
Tlangisa female leopard
Elephant bull
Elephant herd
Crocodile
Impala
Nyala
Bushbuck
Kudu
Waterbuck
Leopard tortoise

5 Jan AM
Mobeni female leopard and an unidentified shy male leopard, around a duiker kill
Buffalo big herd
Elephant bulls
Zebra
Impala
Waterbuck
Duiker
Nyala

Sightings for last night and this morning

3 Jan PM
Hlab'nkunzi female leopard
Dewane male leopard
Ximhungwe pride and one Mapogo male lion feeding on a buffalo
Elephant herd
Buffalo herd
Giraffe
Impala
Steenbok
Waterbuck
Scrub-hare

4 Jan AM
Tlangisa female leopard
Xinzele male leopard
Hippo
Buffalo
Elephant
Giraffe
Python
Hinged tortoise
Leopard tortoise
Crocodile
Waterbuck
Impala
Kudu
Nyala

Sightings for the last two drives

2 Jan PM
Dewane male leopard
2 Mapogo male lions
Elephant bull
Elephant herds
Hippo
Impala
Waterbuck

3 Jan AM
Ximhungwe lion pride 4+4 and one Mapogo male
2 Mapogo Male lions
Giraffe
Zebra
Buffalo herd
Elephant bulls
Impala
Duiker
Kudu
Steenbok
Waterbuck

Happy New Year! AM Drive sightings

First sighting of 2012 - Elephants
Dewane male leopard, still at his kudu kill
Ximhungwe lion pride with 1 Mapogo male, Mini-pog male was again separated from the pride this morning :(
Buffalo herd
Zebra
Reedbuck
Wildebeest
Hippo
Impala
Waterbuck

Sightings for the last drive of 2011

Dewane male leopard on his kudu kill
Tlangisa female leopard with her impala kill
Ximhungwe pride 4 + 5 and 3 Mapogo with an impala kill
Elephant herd having a mud-bath
Hippo
Giraffe
Waterbuck
Kudu
Impala
The final sighting of the year was a herd of elephant on the road outside the lodge