SABI SAND
Young Hosana takes in the landscape while hoping something tasty walks by, Screenshot Credit: Gabi Hossain, safariLIVE, Djuma
Sept 19
WE found Hosana again at Twin Dams in the early evening. As the sun began to cast golden fingers of light across the bushveld Hosana became alert and poised to hunt. On the opposite side of the dam wall and small and unaware impala herd grazed their way slowly towards the young male. Hosana flattened himself to the ground and became motionless as the first impala crossed over the dam wall. By some miracle the first impala failed to notice the rather obvious spotted lump in the middle of the road. The second also failed to notice just how close to death she had come. The third however, followed by a yearling, was not so easily fooled. She snorted her disgust and prance off into the bush followed by her herd mates.
Thamba staring wide-eyed into the night. Photo Credit: Cody, safariLIVE, Djuma
Sept 19
WE found Thamba in the Mulwati, Northeast of Twin Dams. The young and curious cat seemed bored and restless. Soon after finding him, another spotted predator arrived on the scene! Thamba approached the hyena with caution, heckles raised, teeth bared and hissing all the while. The hyena eventually moved off and young Thamba’s curiosity got the better of him. He followed the hyena for a short distance before eventually becoming distracted by the bouncing antics of a bushbaby.
Sept 22
We found Thamba again at Spaghetti junction, where he was sitting with a small kill. As he guarded it, a warthog passed him by and Thamba chased after it. However, the warthog managed to outrun him and he gave up.
A closeup of the injured Nkuhuma lioness. Her wound’s origin at present remains a mystery. Photo Credit: Edward, safariLIVE, Djuma
Sept 17
We found a large group of the Nkuhuma Pride, with five lionesses and six cubs among them. One of the lionesses was still sporting a massive weeping wound on her left hip. It is unknown at present what caused her nasty injury, yet it did not seem to bother her as she walked in-time with the rest of her pride. The once cute and fluffy cubs are fast becoming fully grown lions and every now and then tried their luck with sneaky suckle. Tinyo and Mfumo were also present in the sighting, doing what male lions do best, sleeping. As darkness fell the entire pride along with their Birmingham consorts made their way west, into Arathusa.
Sept 18
Excited chatter on the radio alerted the safariLIVE team to fresh lion tracks crossing into the property. WE raced to the area and began to slowly track down the suspected culprit, the youngest lioness of the pride and the newest mom. After a little bit of searching WE spotted her lying low in a patch of grass. Soon after three tiny fluffy heads emerged, the feisty little cubs squabbled of suckling rights before eventually falling asleep. Later that afternoon the lioness tucked her cubs away safely in their den and slowly ambled her way back to the pride.
An amorous Tingana and Kuchave spent a romantic afternoon in the shade, Screenshot Credit: Stephanie Lamarche, safariLIVE, Djuma
Sept 17
Mating leopards are certainly not the most subtle animals in the wilderness. When WE caught the disruptive sound of mangled growls and snarls WE raced off knowing something interesting was nearby. Sure enough, Tingana and Kuchava were in the throws of passion. The large, dominant, male seemed more interested in marking his territory and having a cat nap. Meanwhile young Kuchava walked cautiously and nervously glance around her unfamiliar environment. This was the first time she’d been sighted on Djuma and it’s possible that she was also experiencing her first oestrus cycle as an independent female.
MAASAI MARA
The pride feeding on their kill together. Photo Credit: Nicci, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara
Angama Pride
Sept 17
We found a group of the Angama Pride off of the main road, where they were feeding on a kill. They were covered in blood and looked quite content as they ate. They scavenged together for the tasty treat and would clearly be feeding for quite awhile.
Amani’s daughters, Kisaru and Busara, cuddling together in the morning sun. Photo Credit: Lauren, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara
Amani’s Daughters – The cheetah sisters
Sept 18
We found these two girls east of the Mara River. They were strolling together, likely looking for breakfast, using the bush shade as cover. They eventually took a breather, laying down in the bush, no doubt contemplating their breakfast.
The lioness sits with the zebra carcass. Photo Credit: MrsZero, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara
Sausage Tree Pride
Sept 21
We found a group of the Sausage Tree lions off the main road. The group was moving near herds of elephants and elands. One lioness found a zebra carcass and began to drag it across the plains. Eventually however, she seemed to get tired and lay down with the kill instead. She began to feed on it as the rest of pride settled down nearby.
