August 2010 : Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe

“This month I had an unbelievable thing happen. I was on a drive and there was a zebra herd running in front of the vehicle. From nowhere a lioness jumps out just 40 metres in front of us and pounces on one of the zebras. You could hear the claws tearing at the striped skin - she lost her grip and tried to regain it ending up underneath the zebra - the stallion loaded up his back legs and gave the lioness an almighty kick, sending her barrelling off in a cloud of dust!” That’s word from Head Guide, Brad Fouché. Other August sighting highlights include a morning drive of eight lions, a black rhino and a pack of wild dogs that were feeding on an eland carcass.And I must mention what a wonderful job a pride of lions have been doing of keeping the airstrip clear of plains game – they’ve been sprawling over it in all their sunbathing glory!

THERE’S AN ELEPHANT IN MY FAMILY TREE…

Other experts at security and sunbathing are the dassies (Procaviacapensis) we see dotted about the lodge. They seek out warm sunny spots on the rocks and keep an eagle-eye out for any approaching danger. Should they see something suspicious they immediately sound a distinctive whistling alarm call to alert their relatives – and dive for cover into the nearest crevice. This photograph shows a feature of their coat that is otherwise almost unnoticeable. The sun has highlighted the long sensory hairs scattered over the dassie’s body – these hairs help to orientate the animal in dark cramped quarters,in a way that’s similar to the function of whiskers.

Some readers may be aware that elephants are the dassies’ closest relatives.This is true and although the relationship is very distant similarities with elephants includemale testes within the abdomen, female mammary glands between the front legs, tusks developed from incisors rather than canines and a resemblance in dentition and foot structure.

Dassies (or hyraxes as they are also known) are fascinating little animals… Their gestation lasts about 7 to 8 months which is surprisingly long for such a small animal, and the young are born fully furred and active. A unique feature is that the iris slightly protrudes over the pupil of their eye to decreases the amount of light from above, serving as a built-in sun visor. They’re able to nimbly climb steep rock surfaces as they’re able to retract up the centre portion of their feet into a concave dome, which creates a vacuum like a suction cup.

INTO THE ABYSS

We thought we’d like to experience the weathered pillars of ancient sandstone as the dassies do and try our hand at abseiling…It’s an amazing feeling to hike up a cliff, catch your breath as you’re being strapped into a harness and all the appropriate safety checks are made, and then jump off the edge and rappel your way down. On thedecent we took a moment to suspend ourselves in the big blue and get a close inspection of the oxide-rich rocks and all their different colours, the nest of a black eagle (Aquila verreauxii) and a rock fig (Ficus abutilifolia) pouring its treacle roots over the rock face and clinging to the vertical structure with all its might.

Abseilingat Singita Pamushana is an activity that we would like to develop and offer to guests in the future.It’s a unique, fun-filled workout and a way to appreciate nature from a completely different perspective. Another way to appreciate nature from a different perspective, albeit a far more relaxing one, is to spend a couple of hours in a hide…
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME…

We’ve just had some new photographic hides, or blinds as they’re also known, constructed and they provide an excellent way to watch wildlife undetected.
It is so enjoyable to sit quietly with your camera and a bird book and watch the comings and goings. Before long all these visitors and more made an appearance:

• A tiny blue waxbill.
• An African green-pigeon showing the most beautiful shades of green, grey and yellow plumage.
• A pair of brown-headed parrots. Here the brown-headed parrots’ distribution overlaps with the Meyer’s parrots’ and interbreeding
  results in unusual colouration.
• A yellow-billed ox pecker dwarfed by the toenails of a rhino!
• A pair of double-banded sand grouse – the male is to the fore.
• A thirsty tree squirrel.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE WATERHOLE?

Another wonderful way to spend a few hours is to stop at a waterhole. One of our favourites is Sosigi Pan. This family of elephants really enjoyed themselves here in August, and became regular entertainers…The babies quietly nursed far from all the rough play, the youngsters tested out their very
amusing snorkelling and swimming skills, the adolescent bulls bullied one another and engaged in some mud wrestling while others slurped up the water and spritzed a fine mist all about. It’s hard to beat that for an afternoon’s entertainment.

THE PERFECT SCRATCHING POST

This old tree stump nearby a muddy pan has been rubbed smooth by elephants and rhinos using it as a scratching post. It’s a highly prized tool andover many years has been sanded to a shine as if by the finest sanding paper! Large mammals love to wallow in mud – it traps and suffocates many of the biting parasites that they’re pestered by. As the mud dries into a hard caked layer they scratch it off - the parasite goes and relief is gained!

A CASE OF MUTUALISM…
The possibility of tick-borne disease is something our resident vet and ecologist keep a close eye on. Parasites play an important role in the natural balance and an outbreak of them couldindicate problems. Three defenceless eland calves were donated to us a while back and since they cannot be released without becoming immediate lion fodder they’re kept in large paddocks of natural bushveld. When they come into the feeding centre our team of experts can monitor their tick load and determineif the status quo is in order. It’s a great example of symbiotic relationships where mutualism oversees parasitism!

SEEING BEHIND THE SCENES

Assisting wildlife filmmaker Kim Wolhuter is cameraman Mark van der Merwe who is workingwith spotted hyaenas (Crocuta crocuta). By extremely
gentle, cautious and respectful time spent in the clan’s company Mark has gained their trust enough to leave his nearby vehicle and film and photograph
on foot. Hyaenas are extremely curious by nature – they’re more closely related to cats than to dogs – and this youngster was brazen enough to come and have a nibble on the edge of the cushion. Their acceptance of Mark as a non-threatening presence is allowing the filmmakers the privilege of capturing intimate scenes, such as this alpha female caring for her tiny cub, for the benefit of international audiences, insight into hyaena behaviour and the need for ongoing conservation of these often maligned animals.

PHOTGRAPHIC TIP – REFLECTIONS

As you can see in this photograph reflections are a great way to add depth to your pictures - the symmetry provides double the beauty.  Follow these tips for the best results:

1. Include the full reflection of the object – cutting off the reflection would be like cutting off someone’s feet in a photograph!
2. Pay attention to the composition – the subject and its reflection needn’t be centre-stage. Here the natural arc of the tree lent it to being placed left of
  centre.
3. Expose on part of the reflective surface that doesn’t contain the actual reflection.
4. Choose a high aperture number, for example f/11, so that the whole landscape is in focus.
5. If you have a polarizing filter on your lens it might be better to remove it or turn it to achieve the desired effect, as they decrease reflectivity in surfaces.

ANCIENT FORMS OF DANCE

The guiding team is actively involved in exploring the reserve to find hidden examples of Rock Art and we’ve had a revelation this month… Two new sites
have been discovered near a dam and we’re busy exploring the area as there’s a very good chance that there could be more sites here! The moment of finding these lost treasures and being the first to see them after thousands of years is just indescribable. This ancient painting in a different location on the reserve is a pristine example depicting a San figure dancing – possibly during a trance where the dancer would gain access to the spirit world.

THE MOST AUTHENTIC ENTERTAINMENT YOU COULD EVER WISH TO SEE

These mesmerising Shangaan men would make any aspirant portrait photographer weep with joy! Their beautiful old bodies are lean and lined and mapped with a lifetime of memories. This group of dancers came to entertain our guests recently. They are all elders from a nearby traditional Shangaan village. Some of them are well into their 80s! They disappeared behind the scenes to ‘limber up’ and emerged decked out in porcupine quill and cowrie shell headgear and plaited tree bark body adornments.

The stretched animal hide drums began to beat, the women gathered in a bright patchwork of clothes, clapping their hands, and these little old men sprang to life! They performed a high-spirited traditional dance that was punctuated here and there by the sharp blow of a whistle which triggered a series of leaps, rolls and leg kicks that made my body (that is half the age of theirs) wince with fear! They were supple, energetic and so proud to share their culture with us. If you want the secret to eternal youth we know where to find it… Come and visit us at Singita Pamushana and we’ll make sure you leave enlightened!

All was truly wonderful! Been to numerous lodges and this is definitely the most wonderful experience yet. In addition to the exceptional staff the surroundings and activities are so diverse! Singita Pamushana guest Marie, South Africa.