11 March
The stunning Xongile enjoyed her time alone as she curled around the branch of a marula tree, and used her luscious tail to flick away any lurking flies. As time passed she climbed down the tree and re-positioned to keep a lookout between naps on top of a termite mound. She noticed an elephant passing by but wasn’t bothered whatsoever as her head sunk further down and her eyes closed even tighter.

 

(Xongile enjoying some alone time. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

The Investec Pack payed a short visit on Djuma as they moved quickly through our traverse. They all looked happy and healthy as they trotted along, eleven of them sticking together like superglue. Occasionally taking brief pit stops to lie down on the road, but generally they were just hot footing it across towards Manyeleti.

 

(The Investec Pack passing through. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

WE like to think that the members of the Sands Pack howled at the moon later on in the evening. The alpha was easy to spot with his tattered ears and dominant demeanor. An absolutely picturesque moment of the family underneath the pink African sky that surrounded the bright moon peeking through the tops of a giant marula tree.

 

(A member of the Sands Pack posing in front of the moon. Screenshot Credit: Di Priem, safariLIVE, Djuma)

12 March 

Thandi & Thamba found the most comfortable tree there was on Gowrie main. Thamba soon got restless and slowly crawled down to laze around in the long grass instead. Thandi was happy and content enough to stay put on a cosy branch, watching her mother roll around in the thicket below.

 

(Thandi and her golden eyes. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

A perfect explanation as to why these beautiful creatures are named “painted” wild dogs. The colours of this scene was incredible, as the golden sunset lit up the defined tortoise-shell mixture on their detailed coats. There was constant affection within this family as they rubbed noses, cuddled and played around like little kids in a playground.

 

(Affection amongst the Sands Pack. Screenshot Credit: Di Priem, safariLIVE, Djuma)

13 March 
An unidentified wild dog chased an impala into the water of Sydney’s dam. The dog waited patiently along the dam’s edge in high hopes that he was going to be eating antelope for dinner.  The impala seemed to be a bit gormless, simply watching the predator’s every move. To the impala’s joy the dog lost his patience as he hesitantly trotted away, possibly off to search for the rest of his pack.

 

(A hungry wild dog contemplating his next move. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

14 March

The Nkuhumas seemed to having a group cuddle as they tangled themselves together on the grasses of Arathusa. There were five lionesses, including the gorgeous Amber Eyes, and the six adorable cubs were all accounted for.  As the sun started to say goodbye, the pride slowly opened their eyes wider as they became restless while the cubs began to play.

 

(A tired Nkuhuma cub. Screenshot Credit: Di Priem, safariLIVE, Djuma)

15 March
The cheetah brothers have reunited! WE can only imagine what their greeting ceremony could’ve been like! They camouflaged themselves in the long grass of Cheetah Plains, lying flat and lazing around. Something startled them suddenly as they lept up and ran hand and in hand along the landscape. This was short lived as they came to a standstill along the road, scanning the horizon for any movements. They looked more beautiful than ever as they stood with pride underneath a pastel pink African sunset.

 

(The happily reunited cheetah brothers. Screenshot Credit: Agnes Zsiga, safariLIVE, Djuma)

16 March

WE sadly didn’t find Karula on her birthday, but Hosana and Xongile made up for it the morning afterwards. Hosana rolled around in the sand along the drainage line, and Xongile lay in a marula tree above, observing her brothers antics. Xongile eventually decided to join him, as she climbed down and pounced around and played with Hosana in the long grass.

 

(Hosana begging his sister to come play with him. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

The Nkuhumas were lazing and having an afternoon nap on Arathusa, sheltering themselves from the heat of the harsh African sun. The cubs had brief bursts of energy as they pounced around in the thick grass. Affection between the lionesses and cubs was evident. Lots of cleaning and licking was going on, sprucing themselves up for the evening events!

(The Nkuhuma pride cleaning each other. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)

17 March

The brave Birmingham Boys made an appearance on Djuma early in the morning. Mfumo, Tinyo and Nenha seemed very content as they lay underneath the shade as the sun started to peek out. They were extremely sleepy, dozing in and out of sleep. However, their bellies were far from being full so WE suspect a hunt is in order for these handsome felines very soon!

 

(A gorgeous Birmingham Boy hiding from the morning sunshine. Screenshot Credit: Lily Brown, safariLIVE, Djuma)