Month: November 2011

Very recently, on one of our safari game drives, we found these 2 Male Giraffe Necking. This is how giraffes fight.They stand with their rears together trying to push one another about and using their necks and heads they batter the other’s body.

The males do this to establish dominance over one another in turn deciding who is the male which will get the opppurtunity to mate. The males also get their baldness from this interaction with one another, hence why young male animals still have long hair on the tops of their osicones (Giraffe Horns).

In some cases where the two giraffes are equally matched the fight can get quite vicious and end up with one of the opponents being knocked out or knocked over.

Quinton Chick – Lodge Manager and Head Ranger

Hi again all!
On a recent trip to the Kruger we were lucky enough to witness a crazy interaction between Cape Buffalo and a Pride of 13 Lions. Upon arrival at the Nsemani dam, we found that there were eleven Lions of all ages and sexes on the far Northern Bank of the dam. To my southern side a Male Lion and a Lioness were relaxing. Sleeping Lions are fairly boring to watch so after taking a few snap shots of them was just about to leave, when through a cloud of dust a stampeding herd of Cape Buffalo approached the Dam from the Northern side.

It seemed they were unaware of the Lions and were all moving steadily toward the refreshing water for a drink in the morning heat. The Lions lay there crouched down and waiting for the Buffalo to move closer. The Buffalo came within about 30 meters of the Lions when they first saw them and then came to a screeching halt all in a line facing their Arch Rivals. The Herd was approximately 450 to 500 animals. (brave Lions!!!!)

After a very short stand off the Buffalo’s thirst and hatred for the lions got the best of them and they charged towards the Lions, scattering them in all directions. The small cubs lunging toward the thickets around the dam to get to safety. The buffalo didn’t chase them very far until the Lions turned on them and chased them back toward where they had come from.

This to and from story carried on for about 20 minutes. First Buffalo chasing the Lions and then the Lions chasing the Buffalo until all got a little tired and thirsty and decided to call it quits for the morning.

The buffalo moved down to the water and began to drink and we lost sight of the Lions. As about half of the Buffalo were down at the water and the rest still coming, one Lioness appeared from behind a bush, still following the Buffalo. Not long after a second, third then eventually sixth lion came out very close to where the Buffalo were drinking. All the lions then lay down and stared at what was going on in front of them. Probably trying to find the weak and sick in the herd which would make for easier targets that evening. After all the Buffalo had had their fill they moved off away from the dam with the Lions still laying there watching their every move. This must have been the highlight of our safari holiday guests!

Quick update: we have recently released 2 Male Cheetah on the reserve. We have not managed to see them yet but they seem to be doing very well exploring their new home. We will also in the near future be releasing a female. She is currently in quarantine and when fit and ready she will also be let out into the conservancy. This is very exciting news for the further deepening of the already incredible wealth of wildlife on our extraordinary game reserve.

Quinton Chick – Lodge Manager and Head Ranger

We seem to have missed out spring completely here and raced headlong into summer. Winter is now most definitely a dim, distant memory and the cool winter mornings have made way to wonderful warm weather. The summer has now arrived and spectacular thunderstorms are common. The bush is alive with bird song and many of the migratory species from Europe are back. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of all the other baby animals that should be out and about soon for our guests on their African safari to enjoy!