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November Newsletter

14 December 2009

Buffalo on a Walk
Buffalo on a Walk
Photo: Louis Marais
Less than a month ago the bush was suffering from the new summer heat. With most days reaching over 30’C, and a few topping 42’C, the bush was taking a hammering. Trees began wilting, the scorched earth was baked hard by the sun, and the stress that comes with minimal water resources available, was beginning to tell on many animal species.

But hope arrived on the horizon, as dark images started curling over the Drakensberg Mountains. Just like a regimented army the clouds marched across the vivid blue sky, blocking out the harsh solar rays. And in the tradition of an African storm the world went black, the bush stood still, the sky rumbled as it prepared for the onslaught, and purple lightning licked across the heavens … and then came the rain. You could almost hear the bush give a relieved sigh. This month we have received 159 mm of rain.

From the rain, the bush has turned into glorious shades of green, with wild flowers dotting the landscape. Frogs have set up centre stage in all of our now filled pans, and the Foam Nest Frogs have begun to border any water resource with their eggs in their white bubble-wrapped nests.

All of our rivers and drainage lines, such as the Lwakahle river line right outside of lodge, have begun to flow. Catfish in their dozens have been seen crossing roads and moving upstream to lay their eggs. Baby terrapins are moving from puddle to puddle, and birds such as the Woodland Kingfisher, Violet Backed Starling, Wahlbergs Eagle and Diedericks Cuckoo have arrived safely back from their migration.

Our two resident leopards, Nkanyamba and Nulu, were seen mating again. We all live in hopes of seeing Nulu become a Mother in the future. And the coalition of five male lions deigned to grace us with their presence for a good 48 hours, asserting their dominance over one of our females, before disappearing back into the Kruger National Park. It is still unknown of the whereabouts of our original dominant male, and the younger cubs have not been seen for a now concerning amount of time. We all hope that the pride take-over becomes a page in history fairly soon so that relative peace can return upon our life-beaten lion pride.

Our daily short bush walks that occur after morning game drive, have been incredibly pleasant. The other day five big male buffalos, aka dagga (mud) boys, were approached unseen as they lay in the water, resting up from the heat of the day. The rangers and guests sat quietly on the elevated river bank watching the rather comical antics of the old goliaths for a good twenty minutes. One of the buffalos kept nodding off to sleep, and as his head dipped forward, his nose would touch the water and subsequently wake him up. He would then chew some cud, his facial expression one of someone reminiscing over the events of the day, and as the comfort of the cool water, and the contentment of having a warm back from the sun began settling over him, his head would begin to droop and the cold water would bathe his nose causing him to wake up yet again!

The team of Lukimbi are looking forward to more rain and a summer full of new experiences and adventures!

We hope to see you there sharing the magic of the African bush with us.

Kind Regards,

Lisa Thomas
Field Guide

For more information regarding animal sightings and daily happenings at Lukimbi safari Lodge, please join our group on Facebook (www.facebook.com).


Click to enlarge
Storm Clouds
Photo: Louis Marais
Click to enlarge
Lwakahle River
Photo: Louis Marais
Click to enlarge
Woodland Kingfisher
Photo: Louis Marais

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