Renewal, transformation & life at Umlani - Page 9

February brought many amazing sightings and it was hard to pick ones that really stood out from the others. We have had some late rains which has rejuvenated the bush before the onset of the dry season, with all the new plant growth and water the animals have been out in full force, and we have even had some fantastic sightings from the comfort of the camp, with elephants being an almost daily feature as they drink from the waterhole in front of camp and feed on the lush vegetation of the drainage line that Umlani overlooks. Out on the drives there has been plenty of lion sightings as well as general game, more elephants and then of course our leopards have also put in a few appearances as per usual.

“Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. Travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art.” – FREYA STARK

FOR THIS MONTHS HIGHLIGHTS BLOG WE ARE GOING TO DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ANOTHER MONTH FILLED WITH INCREDIBLE SIGHTINGS TWO SIGHTINGS REALLY STOOD OUT ABOVE THE REST, IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT WE DEDICATE THIS BLOG TO THEM SO THAT YOU CAN ALSO SHARE IN THE EXPERIENCE THROUGH OUR MINDS EYE.

So get a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy this special addition of our monthly highlights...

"Every creature was designed to serve a purpose. Learn from animals for they are there to teach you the way of life. There is a wealth of knowledge that is openly accessible in nature. Our ancestors knew this and embraced the natural cures found in the bosoms of the earth. Their classroom was nature. They studied the lessons to be learned from animals. Much of human behavior can be explained by watching the wild beasts around us. They are constantly teaching us things about ourselves and the way of the universe, but most people are too blind to watch and listen.” - Suzy Kassem

The month of November has been simply amazing, with a fair amount of rain, dams are full and the bush is lush and green, and with those factors playing in our favor this has meant that animal sightings have been numerous especially when it comes to our big cats. However all the other inhabitants from elephants to woodland doormice have put on a show for guests and guides alike. Enjoy this months highlights captured in photos.

“Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.”- William Burchell

Winter has drawn to a close and spring has sprung, temperatures are beginning to climb and we have already had a fair amount of rain, the dull browns of winter are slowly changing into the vibrant greens of the wet season. September is considered one of the best times of year to go on safari as the bush still isn't thickly vegetated yet and the chill of winter has begun to subside, game viewing has been top notch with many excellent sightings being had by our guests while out on their safaris.

On the 24th of August we said our final goodbye to the last remaining lioness of the infamous Machaton pride. She lived a long, challenging life...over the last year or so we have watched this lioness over come the odds time and time again. However recently we have seen her rapidly losing her grip on her long standing reign here in the Timbavati. This lioness constantly surprised us with her will to live and survive, but after recent sightings we couldn't help but feel that it was just a matter of time before she passed marking the end of the Machaton pride.
She was located one the morning of the 24th after not being seen for about a week, she was in terrible condition, her body riddled with deep infected wounds and she was skin and bone and clearly starving, being the lioness that she was the reserve ecologist was notified and he came out to assess the lionesses condition, on seeing her he made the decision to end her suffering and humanely euthanize her, as sad as it it is this was ultimately the best decision.