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One of the Jamala Females and "The Lone Ranger". This tiny youngster is very often to be seen right next to Mom. We are not sure if this is the result of a greater sense of insecurity or the development of a special bond between mother and cub.
Three cubs look on as the Jamala Females inspect the buffalo carcass. At almost three months of age, these youngsters are at their most curious. Life for them, at this stage, is one big adventure!
The growth of the cubs is clearly evident when reviewing the visuals we uploaded less than four weeks ago. The rough and tumble antics, clearly reflect many of the life skills they will need as they mature into adulthood.
The developing bond between two brothers, could ensure their success as future pride males.
"The Lone Ranger". The smallest of the cubs, this youngster is far more demanding of it's mothers attention and is certainly the most vocal of the five youngsters.
One of The Jamala Females takes an opportunity to ensure the safety of the pride from her position on a small rise, north of Vlei Pan.
The Mica Female (grandmother to the cubs) and "The Lone Ranger" in a shared moment of affection and vocalisation.
Two litter sisters, The Jamala Females, spent three days on the carcass of this buffalo.
Although the youngsters are still suckling at this stage, they certainly know how to sink their teeth into any kills that the females of the pride might pull down. This youngster shows clear signs of having feasted well on the buffalo carcass.
Category : Blog
Having travelled all the way from their homes in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, our current guests in camp are enjoying a safari beyond their wildest dreams!
On Safari!
To be on safari is to be on a journey of discovery and we have shared a few unforgettable experiences over the past couple of days. The Madikwe Game Reserve ecology and game capture teams are currently in the process of darting and capturing buffalo. We were delighted to be given the opportunity of getting our guests into the thick of the action!!
Jamala Madikwe guest, Anne (extreme left) gets up close and personal with a captured buffalo.
Yesterday, we went on to have a real humdinger of a sighting. A young leopard male on a giraffe carcass is not what one would call “run of the mill”!
Beautiful male leopard on a giraffe kill.
We are not exactly sure how this magnificent giraffe bull came to the end of his life however, we were absolutely fascinated by the fact that this male leopard had uncontested access to the carcass. And what a show he put on for our Jamala Madikwe guests!
A Royal Feast for this Prince of Stealth.
Serendipitous! Expect the unexpected! Open oneself to the magic of nature. The rewards are bountiful!
- This leopard remained constantly aware of his surroundings … and us!
Thank you Jamala Madikwe Senior Ranger Lucky, the Cliff’s and the Goody’s for allowing us to use your beautiful visuals.
Category : Blog
Like so many others, I was led to believe that the lion is the king of the jungle. I have learned that this might not be the case!
One of the young Linyala Males
As children, my brother and I had the great fortune of growing up with parents that were keen naturalists. Many a school holiday was spent in various game reserves throughout southern Africa, from parks throughout both Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now known as Zambia – the country of my birth – and Zimbabwe, respectively) through to the Kruger National Park and its surrounding reserves the Sabi Sands, Timbavati and the Klaserie. It is this privileged upbringing that has instilled a deep passion that is woven into the very fabric of my being, which makes every day at Jamala Madikwe so incredibly special.
Young Linyala Male at the Jamala Madikwe waterhole.
It has taken me some time to arrive at a laymen’s understanding of the natural balance that exists within any eco-system. All have a roll to play. When wild dogs quarry an impala and are about to move in for the kill, one must consider this predator to be at the very pinnacle – unmatched in its intelligence and strategic capability. In spite of this, the wild dog remains one of the most endangered predators in the world due to the encroachment of civilization and the gradual demise of available protected natural territory.
How often do we hear of the leopard, with all its strength and stealth, having lost a kill to hyena? Given its magnificent power and displays of extreme aggression, the lion on a kill is at the mercy of other carnivores if out numbered. Elephant in close proximity will do their best to harass lion in to leaving a particular area. Then again, we have on more than one occasion, witnessed a breeding herd of elephant give wide berth to a lone buffalo bull.
Statuesque in repose.
The proverbial “David and Goliath” examples are too numerous to mention.
We have enjoyed great lion sightings both at Jamala Madikwe and Pofu Dam, during the course of these past few days. The balancing of the number of individuals is critical to the success of any one lion pride. Too few members and the pride remains out-matched. Too many, and the availability of large prey species becomes key to their existence.
The three “Linyala Male” brothers appear to be comfortable with each other. Should this coalition continue to thrive, these lion will prove to be a formidable force in the not too distant future. The territory surrounding Jamala Madikwe is much favored by these guys and we are enjoying the time spent watching this trio develop.
Brothers, the Naledi Males - nearing the end of their territorial leadership?
The converse is invariably more touching. We spent some time with a very old male down at Pofu Dam, a few days ago. We are not sure of his identity however, his overall condition and with what appears to be a broken lower jaw, makes him hauntingly unforgettable.
Old Male Lion @ Pofu Dam
The vitality, strength and sense of the invincible, so evident in youth, is poignantly balanced against the battle scarred, lack luster disposition of the aged in these photographic visuals of lions both at Jamala Madikwe and Pofu Dam, Madikwe Game Reserve.
The ravages of age evident in the face of this old male @ Pofu Dam.
Category : Blog
A view of the waterhole taken from the deck of Jamala Madikwe on a lovely warm Spring day.
There is nothing more gratifying than spending time with long standing friends as they return to Jamala Madikwe. We enjoyed a bucket load of fabulous company with great supporters, Priscilla and Suzie and our very own ex GM and Executive Head Chef, Nico.
Nico remains one of the most free-spirited and creative entities to have jointly shared his energy, vision and humor with us, in the development of Jamala Madikwe. We delight in his endless charm and always feel refreshed by his wonderful passion for the bush and keen eye for the extraordinary.
We wanted to share these last few days in review, through the lens of Nico Verster.
The eyes are the window to the soul.
This caracal was photographed by Nico on our way to collect supplies from the local general dealer on the northern side of Madikwe Game Reserve.
Elephant at play - Jamala Madikwe waterhole.
In the heat of the day, the Jamala Madikwe waterhole provides this young elephant with the perfect spot to play.
The Jamala Female tackles the remains of a giraffe kill.
The Jamala Females and the five cubs have spent the last few days within close proximity to this giraffe kill which was located south of the Vleishfontein waterhole.
A trio of white rhino.
We came across these three white rhino at about four in the afternoon – the light was still fairly sharp. This group was soon joined by another five individuals as they moved off into thicker bush in search of some late afternoon shade.
Tempers Flare
As the sun begins it’s descent toward the horizon, the Jamala Madikwe waterhole attracts a large group of Zebra. Tempers flare as these two adults attempt to address their differences!
Category : Blog
Rodney and I returned to Madikwe Game Reserve in 2007, after an absence of nearly three years and it truly felt as though we had come home.
A few months after having taken up residence in our newly renovated 1940’s farmhouse, which stands some 400 meters east of the Jamala Madikwe, Royal Safari Lodge site, we were awakened by the magnificent sounds of lions declaring territorial ownership. In close proximity, it is the sensation of their vocalizing rather than the sense of audio that sends a tingle up the spine.
The date is etched into the memory banks – 14th February 2008 (Valentines Day). In spite of the fact that it was before five in the morning, the call of these lions proved irresistible. With increasing excitement, Rodney and I jumped into the game viewer and set off in pursuit. We located a single male and two females in the open savannah, the edge of which is where our beautiful Jamala Madikwe, Royal Safari Lodge stands today.
The girls were both in estrous and a rather handsome male lion had taken on the responsibility of ensuring continuity of his regal lineage. In time, we came to know these lions well. Territorial ownership belonged to a coalition of two brothers known as the “Kagala Males” and the lionesses were two sisters who carried the title of “The Mica’s”. A formidable pride of lion, still much respected by those guides who dare to conduct walks within their area.
It was in all probability, toward the end of July in 2008 that one of the Mica Females pulled down a wildebeest in the same open savannah area. By now we were well into the build of the main lodge, only meters from this “kill site”. We were fortunate enough to reach the sighting as the life of the wildebeest silently slipped away.
A soft grunt from the female triggered a movement in the bush close by. We were spell bound as the second of the two Mica Females cautiously made her way toward the kill closely followed by four tiny cubs. For close on three hours, we sat in wonderment as these youngsters “took on” the dead wildebeest with a rough and tumble carefree attitude.
Three years on and it is now August 2011. Our Jamala Girls are well grown and they have found their way back into the territory surrounding the lodge. This territory belongs to a coalition of two male lion, the “Naledi Brothers”. Both Jamala Females have been mated and the first set of cubs were sighted in July / August of this year. They are being closely watched and thoroughly enjoyed by all of us at the lodge.
Our Jamala Female is now the proud mother to five strong cubs which were first sighted at the end of July 2011.
The Naledi Male, father of the five cubs born to the Jamala Female in July 2011. This boy was photographed (above) after his “Battle Royale” with his brother. The two brothers clashed over mating rights to the second of the Jamala Females, August 2011.
Category : Blog
Sibling rivalry is not uncommon.This is very often the case when observing the two Naledi Male Lions. We have witnessed, on the odd occasion, an argument or two between these heavy weight sluggers. More often than not, teeth flash and claws rake their way to a fiery decision over a choice fillet. The boys generally settle down and the close bond of a brotherhood reaffirms their coalition.
Late yesterday afternoon, we located one of these males lying up with two lionesses.We suspect that the younger of the two is one of the Jamala Females. She is currently in the company of her mother. The Jamala girl is in full estrous and the “better looking” of the two Naledi Males has taken up stud duties. His general condition has declined somewhat. The need to eat is tempered by meeting the needs of this insistent female.
The second of the two brothers lay-up approximately 50 meters from the rest of the group, well fed and clearly not fraternizing with either of the two girls. It has always been our opinion that two brothers will share the undertaking of stud duties. It is more about the continuation of the genetic line rather than the pleasure of the physical act itself.
Were we ever wrong!!
The Jamala Female snuck up the drainage line toward the second of the two brothers and with illicit abandonment she presented herself. In a flash, the male grabbed his opportunity and covered the female, all the while keeping an eye on his fast approaching brother. Loaded with testosterone and as mad as hell, the two brothers ripped into each other.
The brutality of the fight, exacerbated by extreme roaring, is as intense as it gets! Blood dripping from his mouth and with his claim on the wanton female re-established, “The Better Looking” of the two males proclaims his victory, personal pride regained and a brother punished for a chance taken.
Thank you Jamala Madikwe Senior Ranger “Lucky” for your great pics.
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Category : Blog
To safari in summer or winter, THAT is the question?! Jamala Madikwe Senior Ranger “Lucky” has enjoyed the most awesome sightings during the course of this past week. As the grass yellows and the leaves fade to the mottled browns of late winter, our guests in camp have benefited from the dry weather conditions that force game to move around the fringes of various waterholes.
These circumstances, combined with the skill of our fabulous “Lucky” in the driver’s seat, have delivered rhino, both black and white – not once mind you, but twice! – the second generation Jamala cubs born to our own Jamala lionesses in addition to a plethora of other magical moments.
The waterhole in front of our own Jamala Madikwe has seen a continuum of elephant, buffalo and extraordinary numbers of plains game. In the absence of any major predators over this past week, the open savannah has provided us with a never ending supply of changing scenery as groups of impala, wildebeest, zebra and giraffe vie for possession of the Jamala Madikwe waterhole.
Winter sunrises and sunsets provide scenes of sheer magic. Tantalising moments that play with the reds and golds of every hue. As evening falls and the last remnants of our sun-filled days fade behind distant horizons, a quiet settles and time almost stands still. Our golden time. Shadows draw across Pofu Dam. All is at peace. A glass of vintage and a special toast to another glorious african sunset.
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Category : Blog
