August 2008 : Grumeti Reserves

I do not know where to begin. I cannot, in eight years of guiding in some of the best known big game destinations in Africa, ever recall a more impressive month of game viewing. August 2008 will not soon be forgotten. Every day was a highlight and the animals simply performed like I have never seen before! Good rains fell onto well timed burnt areas and the flushing green grass attracted huge game numbers onto our areas. The charismatic big cats and other high profile predators were abundant in powerful interactions, the large breeding herds of elephants were memorable as always but most impressive and quite simply unforgettable were the abundant herds of plains game west of Sabora.

The Butamtam Pride

Our lion prides in August were simply sensational. Once again the Butamtam pride of ten was responsible for some memorable viewing. And once again, it was the four cubs that were extra special and provided hours of entertainment. Practicing stalks, lounging in trees and playing, they were world class!
Two of the pride males were spotted late one afternoon, a heavy rainstorm putting paid to their normal impressive hairstyles. The lionesses were taking advantage of the bigger game numbers and accounted for a few wildebeest and zebra during the month. On one occasion they were right around the car during a hunt!

A Wildebeest Kill

The lion action at this particular wildebeest kill one morning was amazing to see. Having arrived shortly after the kill was made we watched as a lioness attempted to drag the fresh carcass towards a shady tree, a common practice especially as the day was heating up. We never expected the cubs to be such a menace through, as they hung onto the carcass for dear life – getting dragged along in the process and adding extra weight to an already heavy load! The lioness stopped regularly to catch her breath…
The lioness however, after all that exhausting hard work, was still affectionate enough to embrace her cub playfully.

The Synchronized Spotted Sphinxes

Our two territorial male cheetahs were seen regularly again in August and put on quite a show one afternoon. Having just been watching the Beijing Olympics we were certain that the teamwork seen with these two could have had them well placed in the platform team diving event or perhaps synchronized swimming?

The Fastest Animal on Land

The female cheetah in front of Sasakwa Lodge has been quite spectacular. Her little cubs, estimated to be only five weeks old, have been well hidden in a den right inside some really thick bushes out on the plains. The cubs have only been seen once - we have ensured that no vehicles are allowed back near the den, affording her and her new family a few more weeks to grow and settle, before beginning to view them from the vehicles.3

We have seen her on no fewer than 7 occasions, successfully hunting Thommies and impala. Her speed out on the plains has been incredible and the shows simply breathtaking.