We bring you a quick overview of sightings enjoyed at Arathusa over the month of June. As winter sets in, the bush opens up a bit more and the sightings get better. The smaller creatures are seen more easily, and the dry conditions make for clearer animal tracks. Bush walks at this time are exceptional – lest we forget the spectacular sunrises and sunsets! Nothing beats a winter’s evening – wrapping warmly in a blanket, enjoying hearty comfort food paired with red wine around a blazing fire under the stars.
LEOPARDS
There were 80 separate sightings of leopards in June!
We’ve broken them down for you below.
Xidulu – 16 sightings Cara – 1 sighting Tiyani – 4 sightings individually, and 5 sightings with her cub Ndzutini – 5 sightings Sibuye – 3 sightings Shasha – 4 sightings Langa – 6 sightings Makhomsava – 3 sightings Kuchava – 2 sightings individually, and 4 sightings with her cub Tlalamba – 1 sighting individually, and 5 sightings with her cub Maribye – 3 sightings Tavangumi – 4 sightings Tortoise pan – 10 sightings Unknown Male – 2 sightings Unknown Female – 2 sightings Timbaviti Male – 2 sightings
LIONS
Seen a total of 63 times. Sightings per pride included:
Torchwood Pride – 1 sighting Nkuhuma Pride – 23 sightings Talamati Pride – 20 sightings S8 Male – 5 sightings Avoca Males – 12 sightings Tsalala Pride – 1 sighting Talamba Pride – 1 sighting Unknown Male – 0 sightings
WILD DOGS
1 sighting of the ‘painted wolves’ was enjoyed in June.
BUFFALO
24 individual sightings were enjoyed. Massive herds of buffalo (some around 1000 strong) have come in from the Kruger and the Manyeleti areas onto Arathusa – drawn by the water. Buffalo at this time of year naturally draw an abundance of opportunistic lions.
ELEPHANTS
Were seen 48 times over the course of the month.
THE RARE AND UNEXPECTED
The true magic on safari is when we find something that is seen very rarely…
Over June, we were very fortunate to enjoy 3 sightings of the very rare PANGOLIN and 1 sighting of the AARDVARK – also known as one of the ‘holy grails’ when it comes to wildlife sightings in Africa – the first one of the year!