Deteema Springs Wildlife Stories September 2024
Our mornings were warm and the temperatures gently rose until the swimming pool was the only place to be. After our afternoon game drives, we would warm up next to the campfire as temperatures dropped again.
Tracking Giants
Heading off on a walking safari, we picked up some buffalo tracks and decided to follow them. You could feel the tension in the air as we saw a cloud of dust that meant they were nearby. Getting into a safe position some distance away, we stopped to enjoy watching the herd go about their business.
A Drive And A Show
After following lion and cheetah tracks to no avail, we decided to head back to camp after a tea break at the Salt Pans.
On our way back, two black-backed jackals were howling bringing our attention to two lions making their way to the road we were driving on. Stopping to watch their next move, they started mating in the road in front of us. Mating for about 1 minute every 15 - 30 minutes, the affair didn’t last long before they headed off to find the shade of a nearby bush.
Looking for A Sign
Cheetahs in the northern part of the par usually use termite mounds to mark their territory. In the southern parts, the cheetahs use the signposts.
Out on a morning game drive, we found fresh cheetah scat and tracks on one of the signposts. Following the tracks, a guest spotted the culprit under a bush a little ways down the road.
While observing the relaxed cheetah, two more joined its shady sanctuary.
Detour
On our way to the banks of a river where we had heard there might be some predators on an elephant carcass, we decided to stop near a stream and look out for a few birds.
A Grey go-away bird began alarm calling uncontrollably, and after a quick scan of the area we saw a leopard hoisting its kill up a tree!
Big Toms
At this time of year, Big Toms is the place to be for wildlife sightings.
Large herds of sable, roan, tsessebe and reedbuck go down to the water to drink and big bull elephants take turns wallowing in the water. On a morning game drive, we went down to find 10 lions on an elephant carcass. Always a bittersweet sighting, we were glad to see the little lion cubs getting their share of the meal too.
Some epic wildlife sightings were shared on game drives and again around the heat of the campfire after dinner each night. With such an exciting month, we can only imagine what next month will bring.
Until next time,
Ntandoe
Deteema Springs
