Styx Pride

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“Over the last few days, we have been treated to the long-awaited return of the Styx Pride. The five young females have grown in experience, but their sibling bond is stronger than ever, never straying too far and showing glimpses of their playful nature, chasing one another and climbing trees. The strength of their bond was further demonstrated by the delightful return of the young Styx male, who had reunited with his sisters. Since their arrival a couple of days ago, they have been moving around the reserve, seemingly on the hunt for a meal large enough to fill six hungry bellies.

We are lucky to regularly see a Greater Painted Snipe at one of our watering holes, providing excitement to birders who visit Sabi Sabi. With their bobbing movement, you can see them mostly at dams and marshy river flood plains. They favour waterside habitats with cover and a receding water level that will expose mud among the vegetation.

Fresh tracks of a female leopard and her two cubs were found perfectly printed in mud, where they stopped for a quick drink from a puddle of water. Establishing their direction, we set out with high hopes to find the trio. After driving most roads in the area, we decided to try one specific road again, where we have seen this leopard and her cubs numerous times. And just like that, she was, right next to the road where we probably drove past her several times.
Her two cubs were not with her, making us think she might be out hunting again, and she left them somewhere safe. We left her as she weaved through thickets with her nose in the air, looking for any potential prey animals.

A Knob-billed Duck's preferred habitat is marshes and seasonal pans scattered throughout Sabi Sabi in the wet season. Here, they will feed on vegetation and, to a lesser extent, small fish, invertebrates, and seeds and have even been recorded feeding on alates that emerge during the wet season.

Morning tea views over the pan in front of Bush Lodge revealed the two Gijima males accompanied by three Talamati females. The pride went on the hunt and brought down a young wildebeest, a small but much-needed meal for the five lions, who later settled in the soft, cool sand for some rest.

There are countless reasons why tortoises cross the roads; they could be in search of better grazing, water, fleeing predators, and even searching for potential mates, but whatever the reason, tortoises can get going and cover large distances when needed.

The last of the cool, wet weather had the Golonyi female seeking comfort from the saturated ground, where she took refuge in a large Marula tree from which she could scan the plains for her next meal.“ Reply

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