August 2024 Game Report
August has been an amazing month with some of the best sightings happening. We had 2 different sightings of pangolin in one week. Wild dogs have been seen almost 2-3 times in a week for almost 6 weeks, these sightings are always such a treat. Wild cats have been seen 3 times during this month as well as a few caracal sightings. As a whole August has been a very successful month filled with amazing game and unforgettable sightings. With water levels also getting low we are finding a lot more larger birds as well as predators having a go at the cat fish that are left exposed. We have also been fortune to relocate two new hyaena dens, with one being a lot more active and we are getting regular cub sightings.
Lions:
The sightings of lions have been on point this month with the Sarks Breakaway hanging around our property. More often than not we find their tracks moving from Keer Keer to Klaserie. Tracking them while on game drive is always fun for the guests, especially if we do manage to locate them.
The same pride made a few kills and we were lucky enough to get some amazing sightings as a result. We have also had the Birmingham pride make a few appearances, coming from the Thornybush side.
The 4 Sarks Breakaway cubs have also been doing well slowly getting bigger and bigger, it is always special when we get to see them. With the fences dopped down from the Wiggle Side, the Giraffe Pride have also been roaming enjoying the new property. Unfortunately with the new property we do have less sightings of this pride but when they do show their face the guests truly enjoy seeing them.Â
Leopards:
Leopard sightings are amazing at the moment, our local girl, Nkaya, and her cub have been making more and more frequent appearances as they both become more relaxed around the vehicles. We find her frequently hanging around the Nkaya dam where she often takes her kills. She does tend to moves across the road to Klaserie but will venture back into our property.
We have also had sightings of the more both Savanah and Sunset. They tend to still hang around Walkers property/ Giraffe property but we still getting the regular sighting of them both. Most recently we have had a sighting of Sunset near to where the Nkaya female is.
Elephants:
Elephants sightings have been almost daily. We have been very fortunate that even during the dry season we have still been able to have great elephant sightings. Most of our sightings happen around one of our local watering holes – Feeding damn, Induna dam, our swimming pool and Sunset dam. We have noticed that a lot of the larger breeding herds of elephants have moved towards Wiggle as there is a lot of untouched greenery, but our elephants sightings have still been great.
Buffalo:
Buffalo sightings have been a lot more challenging with the change of season. With less and less water and less fresh grass the larger herd of buffalos have been on the move looking for more grass to eat. We have had regular sightings of a few male buffalos (bachelor herd) about 13 strong. We did, however, have a large herd come through which bolstered our buffalo sightings for the month.
Rhino:
Rhino sightings have been also a very good with regular sightings of our locals, Lucas and the two young males. We spot this trio almost daily around the reserve.Â
General game:
Our general game also never seems to disappoints. With large herds of giraffe seen around, wildebeest hanging close to the lodge, great sightings of birds as we are getting closer to spring. Zebras have been a small challenge but we still get successful when hunting them down (also in large herds).
