Author: LH Focus Online
Hyenas feast on a waterbuck
Getting to Sabi Sand Game Reserve
What to Pack on Safari
Boulders’ Cubs
Marula Feast
Khokovela and Cub
Will the Styx stick around?
5 Reasons To Visit Sabi Sand Game Reserve
The Othawa’s expand…again
Survival of the fittest is the rule of the bush. With that said, it is always a pleasure to see the animals grow and survive.
The young Othawa lioness was seen mating with a Matimba male lion late last year. We waited with great anticipation whether she would fall pregnant.
Soon afterwards we saw signs that she was pregnant. Just before the year ended we received exciting news that the lioness gave birth. There was great speculation whether the first time mother would manage to keep her cubs safe.
A few weeks later we had the privilege to view the lioness with three healthy cubs. The mother found a rocky outcrop where she could hide the cubs if need be.
The new cubs were introduced to the pride very quickly. Thereafter, they spent a few weeks in solitude so that the cubs could adjust to their new surroundings.
After acclimatising the female decided to move the cubs yet again. We had the most amazing sightings of her parading the cubs down the road and through an open clearing.
The Othawa lioness escorted the cubs safely to the remaining pride. They have integrated well and their survival looks promising so far.
Written by – Cal Butler
Herald Snake
With the rise in temperatures and the first set of rain, the Lowveld has transformed itself into a lush, green reserve.
Many small creatures have started becoming mobile again due to the summer weather. We recently found this little Herald or Red-lipped snake slithering around.
This was still a youngster reaching about 20cm in length. Their colours vary from greyish to olive/grey. The head is usually darker and white speckles may be seen along the body.
The name Red-lipped snake comes from the obvious red/orange upper lip. The name Herald came about when the Herald newspaper in the Eastern Cape announced the discovery of the snake.
They are considered to be more nocturnal and are often found around water bodies, feeding on oversized toads.
Our presence did not seem to deter the snake. It remained rather relaxed and posed beautifully for some photos. They are considered mildly venomous, but pose no threat to humans.
Crazy eyes
It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. It is said that eyes can tell a story. Some eyes you can gaze into for hours on end. However, some eyes are simply known as crazy eyes.
We are very fortunate to encounter leopards that are completely unfazed by the presence of our vehicles. Every so often, we do come across some leopards with a more skittish nature. We might get a quick glimpse of them and then they take cover.
Recently we were rewarded with a highly interactive sighting with a skittish male leopard called Homelite. When we found him he was in a tree feeding on his kill. Not only did we manage to see this elusive male, but he provided us with some great photos too.
To add to his elusive and mysterious nature, Homelite has some dark and deep-set eyes. Locking eyes with this spectacular beast can be quite a harrowing experience.
As it usually goes, some hyenas arrived on the scene. After completing most of the kill, Homelite started to shift around in the tree. He must have miscalculated his movements and knocked the kill out of the tree. The hyenas wasted no time and grabbed the carcass and took off.
One hyena stayed around and waited for Homelite to leave the tree. The leopard showed his displeasure and snarled at the hyenas and then at us. He quickly maneuvered down the tree and ran away as is common practice for this male.
Written by: Cal Butler