21 May
PM
-The 2 Lionesses and 1 male cub (Milkberry Pride) were still feeding on the Kudu bull carcass to the northeast of Hyena Dam. The Vultures had moved in but had to watch patiently from a safe distance, and wait for the Lions to move off.

22 May
AM
-5 Lionesses and 4 cubs (Nkuhuma Pride) were found west of Hardekool Camp feeding on a young Giraffe. It was great to see these very young cubs (approx.3 months old) for the first time. The pride has been spending much of it's time inside the Manyeleti Game reserve and it was suspected that some of the females were hiding their cubs there. Time will tell if any of the other females have cubs too as it looks as though at least 4 of the 7 females in the pride are lactating.
-4 Elephant bulls were found at Marula pan feeding.
-1 Big male Leopard (unidentified) was found east of Marula pan. It was very nervous of the vehicles, but looked to be a very large specimen. It was left alone in peace as it clearly did not feel comfortable with the vehicle's presence.

22 May
PM
-The 5 Lionesses and 4 cubs near Hardekool dam were still feeding on the Giraffe carcass. The carcass had attracted the interest of some Vultures, a Side-Striped Jackal and a Hyena. The Hyena was chased off by one of the Lionesses, and each Lioness took turns to guard the carcass while the others went for a drink at the nearby waterhole.
-2 Male Lions (Nkuhuma Pride) were found on the airstrip following a large herd of Buffalo. They weren't seen to attempt a kill by the end of drive.
-7 Lionesses (Styx Pride) were found on the Bush Lodge driveway moving east. Just outside Bush Lodge they spotted 2 Impala rams and after surrounding the Impalas, they launched their attack.
2 of the Lionesses managed to circle the Impalas and chased them back towards the ambush. They brought it down next to the camp and immediately tore the carcass to pieces and within a few minutes had consumed all but the large bones.

23 May
AM
-The 7 Lionesses (Styx Pride) were found resting on the clearing in front of Jacobin Camp.
-A large herd of Buffalo and 4 Rhinos were found north of Kudu Corner.
-A large Rhino bull was found east of the airstrip moving towards the Kruger Boundary.
-1 Cheetah was found east of Green Pan.
-1 Lioness and 1 Male Lion (Nkuhuma Pride) were found feeding on the remains of the Giraffe carcass at Hardekool Dam.

PM
-2 Male Lions and 5 Lionesses(Nkuhuma Pride) were found east of Hardekool camp. They were all spread out to begin with until the 2 males started roaring. After re-grouping they set out in a westerly direction and all drank at Hardekool dam. Later they moved off westwards in the direction of Galago.
-7 Lionesses were found south of Kudu corner. After a few failed attempts at hunting Impala and Zebra, they moved southwards and crossed the reserve's most southernly boundary.

24 May
AM
-Elephant bulls were found throughout the reserve.
-1 Male Cheetah was found at Kudu Corner moving south along the Kruger Boundary Rd. He eventually crossed the reserve's southern boundary.
-A large herd of Buffalo was found at Cheetah Plain Pan moving South.

The Ranger's diary is updated weekly

ARCHIVES