It ís another warm day in Zululand and again this morning I gazed into the south to see if there were any signs of rain clouds building up on the horizon. I was unfortunately disappointed that the drought continues and we are still praying for rain.

However the veld is still looking alright and the Mkuze River is still flowing. The Acacia trees have started blooming and there are a myriad of flower species in full bloom. So nature is disguising itself by looking fantastically healthy and colourful although things perhaps are not what they seem. To add to the colour, most of our migrant birds are back and it brings a smile to my face when I hear the sorrowful cry of the Wahlbergs Eagle, although its sound is eerie and sad I know he is happy to be back in his breeding ground for our beautiful summer.. The cuckooís are all back too as well as the plum coloured Starlings, Steppe Buzzards and the European Rollers which in themselves are a rainbow of colour in one fairly small bird. The frogs constantly remind us of their presence as they serenade us through dinner every night. From the Gutteral toads through to the high pitched chirp of the Natal sand frog they also eagerly await the rains. Four Cheetah cubs have arrived and are doing fantastically well. The proud mommy is very relaxed and she is letting us get some fantastic photographic opportunities .

Last night Dean and I were lucky enough to witness a Caracal feeding off an Impala carcass with her two tiny cubs. They too were very understanding to our cause and let us watch them for about ten minutes until they had satisfied their hunger and wandered off into a thicket for some privacy. I had never seen Caracal cubs before, so it was a great way for me to finish my drive with an awesome high.

Sightings have generally been fantastic and to complete the paradise the weather has been warm and amazingly clear in the evening for some great star gazing. Orion and Scorpio are now visible (on opposite horizons of-course) at the same time in the late evening which is always a good topic of conversation during our outside evening meals.

Well folks, while we are eagerly awaiting the rains there is only one thing for you to do! Start making plans to come and visit us at our Place of Kings we look forward to welcoming you and showing you a few of the awesome spectacles we have had the privilege of viewing from day to day.

Greetings,
Sean, senior ranger