2005 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November |
2006 : January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
2007 : January | February |

     Summer has truly arrived. The bush is turning green before our eyes and we have had about 100mm of rather too gentle rain. However, the last few days have been hot and steamy and with a bit of luck this will build up into some more thunderstorms that we require to boost the growth of our grasses and shrubs. The first newborn impala was seen less than a week ago. This is very early as they are not normally due for another month. Unfortunately, we think this little lamb’s life was short lived as a few days after it was spotted, we found the female leopard, Mkwela, eating a newborn impala in the same area. Most of the migratory birds are now back and we have had our first sighting of a woodlands kingfisher, also about a month early. Who knows why this is happening – it could be the effect of global warming and weather changes in the world.

     The game viewing has been exceptionally good again this month. We watched the Wallingford male waiting patiently outside a warthog hole. The mother warthog kept popping her head out and, to our surprise, out came 3 new born babies, also born early and rather unlucky for them as “Wally” got the whole lot. He initially went for the mother and grabbed hold of her but she managed to escape with fairly deep rake marks down her flank. He then nonchalantly went down the hole and picked out one of the babies. With a quick bite to the back of the neck, he disposed of it and unfortunately while he was feeding the other 2 piglets decided to make a break for it. However, they did not get far before the male leopard disposed of them too. He then ate them at leisure over a period of about an hour.

     Mkwela and her cub continue to provide the most incredible viewing. However, halfway through this month Mkwela and her offspring had an altercation with a troop of baboons. To see a female leopard fight so bravely against incredible odds was the most remarkable sight to witness. She managed to escape the onslaught of 5 big dog baboons. In the confusion, we were unable to ascertain what had happened to the cub. After the baboons had moved on, Mkwela called for her cub for more than 4 hours before she located the little bundle of joy more than a kilometer from the original fracas. There was a great sigh of relief from the rangers and guests alike.

     Shangwa has frequented our area more often this month and we have had great viewing of her and her 2 cubs on a number of kills. These cubs are of an age now when they are hyena wise and are able to look after themselves for the most part. We do not think it will be too long before they are made independent – they are about 23 months old now. The Makubela female (from Shangwa’s previous litter) still continues to try and establish her territory. She is an exceptionally relaxed little female and is often seen in different camps in the middle of the day making herself at home.

     The appearance of the Mpogo, the 6 new males in the North is creating a transition period for our lion population. The Mpogo have been mating with the 2 Sand River females and we are hopeful that conception will take place.

     The refurbishment of our curio shop and reception is nearly finished and we believe it is going to be a huge improvement to the look of the lodge. This brings us to the end of nearly a year of building - a great relief for all, but so wonderfully worthwhile in the end!

     The community tours have continued to be very popular with our guests and the money collected from these is being put in a fund for future projects out in the villages surrounding the reserve.

     As Christmas approaches and the end of yet another year, we would like to thank all of you who have returned and many of you who have kept in contact. We have had two delightful weddings this month and we feel very privileged to have been informed by one couple who spent their honeymoon here of the recent birth of their daughter Scarlett Savanna.