Amakhosi Safari Lodge
Bush Beat (March 2009)
15 March 2009
‘Its the rainy season and has it been raining here at Amakhosi. The Mkuze river, coming down in full force, pushing everything in its path down a chocolate torrent of storm water, leaving the footprint of a threatening flood. Also creating a fun filled 4x4 experience on the reserve for all those on board! Lush fields of green grass stand like a canvas waiting to be painted with the abundance of general game, scattered all over the reserve. All the dams and watering holes full to the brim bringing along a burst of insects and amphibians alike, making the most of this perfect moment in this perfect creation.
This in turn keeps our abundant bird life as good as ever, with most of our migratory birds still flourishing and coloring the sky with all their shimmering shades.
After one night's down pour of over 100mm recently, one of our breeding herds of elephant thought it a good time to cross the river. What a sight, to see the older females assist the youngest calves as the current lifts them from their still so little pink feet that starts sweeping them down the river like little grey barrels. How nature can care for itself leaves one in awe and contemplating the bigger picture.
Our Wetlands Pride of Lions are all doing well, with all 9 cubs growing up fast offering us sightings as good as it possibly can get from our human point of view. The whole pride has become an absolute treat to view, being very comfortable with our presence. Of course offering breathtaking photographic opportunities for all the keen photographers, who share in our passion for wildlife. The older male cubs starting to show mane hair and still bullying the younger cubs, while practicing and honing their hunting techniques. One could sit for hours watching them play fight and stalking mom's flicking tail.
This season has also brought new cheetah cubs. A female has settled on the wetlands with 4 new fluffy cubs. Although she has chosen the heart of our Wetlands Pride's territory to raise her young, she has managed to evade them thus far and is doing a fantastic job of taking care of her legacy, being an “Amakhosi Cheetah”.
Our elusive leopards have been very active of late, leaving us spoor every other day, just to remind and tease us that they are still around, and will decide for themselves when they will grace us with their beautiful presence. One of our rangers had a bit of luck last month and spotted one on the road on the way back to the lodge from afternoon drive. The Zululand leopard will always be the reason why we keep going out looking for just that glimpse, that moment of being in the presence of this magnificent creature.
As the days get shorter and the morning air crisper life here at Amakhosi is prolific, leaving one breathless and in awe of the beauty and uniqueness this reserve and it's wildlife has to offer. We truly do roam free in Africa, the heart of the globe, where time belongs to the rhythm a
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