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The Matimba coalition
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 (01-07-2017, 05:05 AM)Georgel Wrote:(11-02-2016, 02:39 PM)fursan syed Wrote: - 3 Mapogos versus 3 Matimbas - Few Arathusa reports clarifying that the Majingilanes were not involved into the June 19, 2011 fight. Saturday 18 June There is nothing quite like savouring a hot cup of coffee while listening to the roars of a male lion nearby. Once we’d finished our coffee we went in search of the noisemaker and were treated to a spectacular sighting of one of the Majingilane males on the airstrip. He was still roaring loudly in a bid to locate his brothers, but much to his disappointment their answer came from the far south. After leaving the lone male we headed east and found the four young Styx cubs hanging out by themselves while the lionesses were off stalking a big herd buffalo. On leaving the cubs we were temporarily thwarted by a massive roadblock in the form of six rhinos fast asleep in the road. They clearly had no intention of moving anytime soon, so we decided to leave them in peace and enjoy a warming cup of hot chocolate before heading back to the lodge.
We kicked off the afternoon drive with a herd of elephants enjoying a mud bath. Watching the youngsters having so much fun in the water was particularly entertaining. A little while later we received a call over the radio that Mvula (territorial male leopard from the east) had just killed a warthog. On arrival we were quite surprised to find Kurula (territorial female leopard from the east) lying a little way off from the kill in the hope that there’d be some scraps leftover. As we left the sighting we noticed some movement further down the road. Three of the Styx lionesses were moving in the direction of the leopards, but luckily they didn’t cross paths. We’d just decided to call it a day and head back to the lodge when Induna (young male leopard) appeared on the road with a guinea fowl in his mouth. What an amazing afternoon filled with incredible sightings. Time to warm up around a fire.
Sunday 19 June This morning we spent a long time tracking lions in the east. After a seemingly endless search we eventually found three Styx females. The trio was on the move so we followed them as best we could. Our patience and perseverance was soon rewarded when they led us to their four young cubs who are now almost four months old. We had a fantastic time watching the youngsters alternately playing and nursing. We then found the other Styx lioness with one of the Majingilane males, and although we didn’t actually see any shenanigans, we suspect that if they aren’t already mating the female will be ready to do so soon. We ended off the wonderful morning by finding a buffalo bull and two rhinos.
This afternoon we managed to relocate the three Styx lionesses and their four young cubs. We only saw them briefly however, as the adults soon led the babies off into a big, thick drainage line, safe from prying eyes. The Styx female and Majingilane male were also in the area, but the pair was fast asleep and didn’t even bother to lift their heads to acknowledge our arrival. Unhappy with the state of our welcome committee, we left in search of more interesting game viewing. Next we came across a group of five rhinos grazing along the road, and then just before sunset we found Mafunfunyane. Unfortunately we the lost dominant male leopard in a thicket, at which point we decided that our sundowners stop was long overdue. No sooner were we back on the road when we relocated the previously elusive Mafunfunyane. We watched patiently as he stalked impala, but were disappointed when he soon lost interest in the buck. Suddenly he shot forward and caught a duiker that only he had seen. We watched in amazement at how quickly he dispatched the duiker before dragging it some hundred metres away to feed in the safety of the thick vegetation of the Mluwati stream.
And that brings to an end yet another spectacular week! Visit our Facebook and Flikr albums to see more photos from our game drives.
Monday 20 June This morning we came across a group of five rhinos just as they were waking up and starting to feed. It really is quite something to see these hulking beasts while they’re still sleepy. After watching them for a while we went looking for the lion cubs again, but unfortunately they were either well hidden or off somewhere with their Moms because we couldn’t find them anywhere. We did find one of the Styx lionesses however, and she’d been joined by two of the Majingilane males. Could there be love in the air?
On the afternoon drive we found the four male cheetahs just lying around and enjoying the last bit of sunlight. And then after sunset we ran into the Styx lioness again. She was still hanging out with the two Majingilane males, and we were right about there being some love a brewin’, because she mated with one of them. A brilliant sighting for everyone.
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