Guides’ Diary
Print this page »Singita Pamushana : 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.
Singita Pamushana : July 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
“The sightings highlight for me was when we found a leopard (Panthera pardus) that had killed and hoisted an impala in a tree.
Singita Sabora; Faru Faru & Sasakwa : July 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
As the large herds of migrating Wildebeest gradually move off the concession and begin the trip to the Northern Serengeti.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : July 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The lodges have been running at, and above, capacity for most of the month and there has been a fantastic vibe and hype in both the lodge and the staff village with the soccer World Cup having a unifying effect.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : June 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Words can simply not express the extent of what we have witnessed over the past six weeks here on the fabulous N’wanetsi Concession.
Singita Sabora; Sasakwa & Faru Faru : June 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
June at Singita Grumeti Reserves is all about the arrival of the vast herds of migrating wildebeest.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : June 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
June has brought with it some refreshingly cold mornings and evenings. The days have been shortening and, with the winter solstice passing on the 21st of June, it seems that we are over the worst of the winter.
Singita Pamushana : June 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The Singita Pamushana team proudly fly the South African flag and mimic the elephants as our booming vuvuzelas compete with their trumpeting trunks!
Singita Pamushana : May 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Mythology abounds with stories of Scorpio, sting and pincers at the ready, in eternal pursuit across the night skies of Orion the Hunter.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : May 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The grasses have turned to shades of gold, giving the illusive cats the opportunity to remain undetected through their tawny camouflage.
Singita Lebombob & Sweni : May 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The days are cooling rapidly, a clear sign that winter is at our doorstep.
Singita Sasakwa; Faru Faru & Sabora : May 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
“Ol Doinyo Lengai” means “Mountain of God” in the Maa language of the native Maasai people.
Endangered Black Rhino Relocated to Serengeti : May 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
History was made today with the repatriation of the first six of 32 critically endangered Eastern Black Rhinoceros from South Africa, back to their rightful home in East Africa
Singita Ebony & Boulders : April 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Winter is certainly upon us with each crisp, early morning drive starting off with a captivating African sunrise.
Singita Sasakwa; Faru Faru & Sabora : April 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The beautiful old Buffalo bull peacefully living out his later years on the Sasakwa plains.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : March 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
A leopardess has given birth somewhere in the central parts of our concession.
Singita Grumeti Reserves : March 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
This beautiful Bull was seen near Faru, the area a haven for our Defassa Waterbuck, with quality grazing and water always close by.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : February 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This to me is home. This is my way of life. This is my passion.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : February 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
February the month of love has proved no different in the bush, as a pair of leopards was seen together for four consecutive days around the 14th of February in an intense love affair.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : January 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Here we are at the start of a new decade. 2009 ended with a bang here at Lebombo and Sweni, but the start of the new decade certainly did not disappoint.
Singita Sabi Sand : January 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The New Year is in full swing, the game viewing is as great as ever, the grass is high and it’s raining cats and dogs! And cats! And more cats!
Singita Pamushana : December 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
It happens once in a blue moon and it happened on 31 December 2009…
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : December 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
If December had to be characterized by one word, then “wet” would have to fit the bill. Amazingly, as much rain as we got, it never managed to dampen the spirits of the guests staying over the period.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : December 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This sums up what we have experienced for the month of December, and it sums up exactly what Singita is all about, a place that changes your life.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : November 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
What a phenomenal month of contrasts. Starting out as dry as a bone the heavens opened up mid-month and blessed us with over 100mm of rain in a mere two days.
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : November 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The rains have come as a very welcome relief, and on days where it has fallen heavily, many of the plains game have sought refuge on higher ground.
Singita Pamushana : November 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The season’s first impish impala lamb was seen frisking about on the 11th and hartebeest calves and many other youngsters have joined in the celebration of life.
Singita Pamushana : October 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
These nothing quite like being woken up with the sunrise streaming in your window and two Yellow-billed Hornbills tapping at the glass.
Singita Sasakwa Faru Faru & Sabora : October 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The rainfall distribution for October gives you a better perspective for specific locations across the property.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : October 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
We have had plenty of sighting of lions and leopard hunting, mostly around the waterholes.
Singita Pamushana : September 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The fiery flowers of the Flame Creeper (Combretum microphyllum) engulf their branches as these ‘burning bushes’ advertise the first glimpse of spring.
Singita Lebomob & Sweni : September 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
There is a bit of everything in this month’s journal. It has been exciting as ever, never a dull moment out here.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : September 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The predator sightings have been nothing short of spectacular this month. The critically endangered African Painted Hunting Dogs (or “Wild Dogs”) have been a huge bonus.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : September 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
This month recorded near 30 individual kills that have occurred on the property, most of which have been wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and buffalo.
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : August 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
August 2009 will be fondly remembered as ‘The Month of the Leopard’.
Singita Pamushana : August 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The August winds arrived with precise timing bearing the promise of spring to come.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : August 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
This month recorded near 30 individual kills that have occurred on the property, most of which have been wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and buffalo.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : August 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This month we celebrate the predators at Singita Kruger National Park. These animals represent grace, power, strength and beauty!
Singita Ebony & Boulders : July 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
This month has provided spectacular game viewing!
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : July 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
July is always a fantastic month here with the great migration in full swing. The bulk of the wildebeest masses have begun to leave for greener pastures but there were still very large herds on our concession
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : July 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
What a month. We have had more leopard sightings this month than for the whole year combined. Lions have hardly left our concession, and there are elephants by the hundreds.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : June 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
I have said this many times before, but I am still astounded at the amount of wildlife that we see daily. Its amazing!
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : June 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
A pair of eyes peeping out of the fluffy mound might be the only thing betraying its human contents!
Singita Grumeti Reserves : June 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The Nayasarori Pride has provided hours of fun with the cubs!
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : May 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
What can I say. You simply need to see this to believe it.
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : May 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The grasses have turned to shades of gold, providing perfect camouflage for the tawny or “dappled” predators. The game viewing has been fabulous!
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : April 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
To say that we have had some of the best game viewing ever is simply an understatement.
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : April 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The big cats have certainly made April a month to remember here in the Serengeti.
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : April 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The change of seasons at Singita from a hot and wet summer to a cool dry winter is well on its way.
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : March 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
I know it has begun to sound a little clichéd, but I’ve just got to keep saying it because it is 100% true - The game viewing at Singita Grumeti Reserves just keeps getting better!
Singita Pamushana : March 2009
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
It seems that just when we thought that the rainy season was over, heavy dark clouds descended over Malilangwe and the heavens re-opened bringing a tide of new rains.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : February 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
What a great month we've had - decent rain, great weather and abundant sightings.
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : February 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
February is often noted as the hottest month of the year in the Lowveld. Seeing some scorching summer days, and intense thunderstorms!
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : January 2009
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The past month has been a very exciting time to be on our property!
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : January 2009
Kruger National Park, South Africa
We have had days in excess of 40° C and then days where we wore jackets for the chill. It’s been dry, and it’s been wet, grey and green...
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : January 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The New Year began with a bang…
Singita Lebombo & Sweni Lodges : December 2008
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This month we celebrate the summer season with some beautiful photographs, capturing the heart of Singita Kruger National Park.
Singita Ebony & Boulders Lodges : December 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Hot days, warm nights and plenty of rain, summer is in full swing at Singita Sabi Sand!
Singita Sasakwa, Faru Faru & Sabora : December 2008
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
2008 was an incredible year for game viewing and the trend continues here at Singita Grumeti – each year just gets better than the previous one!
Summer is here! - Sabi Sand : November 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
Summer has arrived at Singita Sabi Sand - heavy rains have fallen!
A tough month in paradise! - Grumeti Reserves : November 2008
Grumeti Reserves
The highlight of November was a very memorable leopard sighting, by far the best we’ve ever had here at Singita Grumeti Reserves
iMpala 2008 - Kruger National Park : November 2008
Kruger National Park
iMpala - Shangaan interpretation for the month November, a time of promise and anxiety, such as that felt by the impala in the height of the lambing season; a time of relief if the rains come in time.
Kanamkulu 2008 - Kruger National Park : October 2008
Kruger National Park
Kanamkulu - Shangaan for the month October, a time when the marula fruit begin to appear and we wait for the rain...
...the rains will come - Grumeti Reserves : October 2008
Grumeti Reserves
The good rains that have fallen over October have continued to liven up the savanna and the animals that call Singita Grumeti Reserves home have been spotted in abundance.
A brilliant time to be in the bush! - Sabi Sand : October 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
Luminous green leaves burst from the bushwillows, silver-green leaf buds adorn the tips of the cluster leaf trees and pistachio green grass blades spike through the dampened earth.
Great game viewing - Grumeti Reserves : September 2008
Grumeti Reserves
Like August, September has been another great month for game viewing at Singita Grumeti Reserves. Good rains coupled with the fire management plan have resulted in a green carpet of grass and acres of wild flowers.
Rare Cape Hunting Dog litter - Sabi Sand : August 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
Making international conservation news over the last few months has been one of our newest (and rarest) arrivals - a litter of five Cape Hunting Dogs.
Image celebration! - Kruger National Park : August 2008
Kruger National Park
This journal is a photographic celebration of winter, spring and the promise of rain, of colour, beauty, savagery, life and death...
Cobra Fight! - Kruger National Park : August 2008
Kruger National Park
It was truly one of the most memorable sightings in my career as a guide - fightings cobras within spitting distance of the game viewing vehicle!
Every day was a highlight! - Grumeti Reserves : August 2008
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Grumeti Reserves
I do not know where to begin. I cannot, in 8 years of guiding in some of the best known big game destinations in Africa, ever recall a more impressive month of game viewing.
The migration moves on - Grumeti Reserves : July 2008
Grumeti Reserves
As the great migration moves on from us to greener pastures in the north we all experience a degree of sadness.
Officially approaching Spring! - Sabi Sand : July 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
Rejoicing in this slight seasonal change was a Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) that appeared in the river in front of Ebony Lodge on three consecutive mornings at 06h20!
Bumper time in the bush - Grumeti Reserves : July 2008
Grumeti Reserves
During the last month of June we have enjoyed an absolute bumper time in the bush. The old saying goes that a picture speaks a thousand words so I apologise in advance for some rather sparse text.
Sparta lions & a fugitive dormouse - Sabi Sand : May 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
We spotted the Sparta pride in the far eastern reaches of Singita’s traversing area. The pride consists of three adult lionesses and nine youngsters – five of whom obligingly posed for the portrait alongside!
The rains continue - Grumeti Reserves : April 2008
Grumeti Reserves
The rains continue here in East Africa, although April had far less rain than March. Despite not being soaking wet this month the long grass continues to lengthen.
Autumn at Singita has just begun - Sabi Sand : April 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
Autumn at Singita has just begun with a distinct nip in the air! This little Tree Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi) was very busy going about his business of stocking up on nutritious nuts.
The long rains have struck - Grumeti Reserves : March 2008
Grumeti Reserves
The long rains have struck and the second half of March has certainly been a very muddy and wet affair.
Scorching summer days - Sabi Sand : March 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
February has seen some scorching summer days, dramatic thunderstorms and even a fire started by a lightening strike.
Winter is slowly returning - Kruger National Park : March 2008
Kruger National Park
Welcome to another SKNP Journal.There seems to be a slight chill in the air in the mornings before the am game drive goes out. Winter is slowly clawing its way back into our lives.
January in the Serengeti - Grumeti Reserves : February 2008
Grumeti Reserves
January was a wonderful month in the Serengeti and unlike last year we weren’t drowned, we had just enough rain the carpet the plains in short green grass, wild flowers and fill them with game.
Leap year game sightings - Grumeti Reserves : February 2008
Grumeti Reserves
The last 29 days of this leap-year month of February have been witness to some spectacular game viewing. Highlights aplenty, we have seldom found ourselves wanting for wildlife sightings...
Happy New Year from us all - Sabi Sand : February 2008
Sabi Sand Reserve
The New Year received a Singita welcome with festive song and dance in the wilds.
