Guides’ Diary
Print this page »Singita Pamushana : January 2012
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
No sooner had we begun bemoaning a serious lack of rain in January than cyclone Dando whipped us with his tail and we received a 65mm downpour in three hours!
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : December 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
A war that has been raging through the ages, still continues, undecided. Battles are won by opposing forces from both sides but it still continues.
Singita Pamushana : December 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
December has delivered good rains, prolific green growth, an abundance of flowers, and a whole kingdom of fungi.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : November 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
Dry river beds, dried out drainage lines, dust bowls instead of water holes; these are things of the past. All of the rivers and drainage lines are flowing in full spate and the water holes are filled to capacity.
Singita Pamushana : November 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The rain arrived in all its glory on the first of this month, and not a drop has gone to waste! It’s like all the plants and trees have sprung an overnight surprise party of green on the rain’s command.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : November 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
These two cubs have come a long way with us at Singita Kruger. A little over a year ago Ian Weerepas, one of the Field Guides here, spotted them in the north of the concession.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : November 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
It was twenty years ago this month that I started my career as a guide, after a very happy six years as a Biology teacher.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : October 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The short rains have started and the entire concession has greened up tremendously, areas that had burnt and others that were grazed extensively by the wildebeest migration a few months ago are fully recovered.
Singita Pamushana : October 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
This month has been all about arrivals – many predictable like the return of migrant birds, some delightful like the discovery of newborn leopard and cheetah cubs
Singita Ebony & Boulders : October 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Every year, as part of a veld management policy, a piece of Singita Sabi Sand needs to be burned. Different areas obviously get burned in different years.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : October 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
As if nothing was amiss, the family of four cheetahs strolled back onto the concession one late afternoon. It was a wonderful scene.
Singita Saskwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : September 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The constant calling and ever present multitudes that were here such a short while ago seemed to disappear overnight.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : September 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
As I sit down in front of my computer to type this (and let me hasten to add, being in front of a computer is not my favourite place – I’d rather be “out there” looking for leopards!)
Singita Pamushana : September 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The 22nd of this month saw the second annual World Rhino Day take place, a day devoted to raising awareness about the rhino poaching crisis in Africa, the illegal trade in rhino horn and global rhino conservation.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : September 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Like liquid gold the first rays of sunlight pour over the surface of the waterhole. A flicking ear betrays the presence of a hippo on the far-bank and an African fish-eagle calls proudly from a dead Leadwood.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : August 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The winter chill has finally left us until next year and instead made space for some lovely warm weather.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : August 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The two Black Rhino that were brought back to their home country from England and released into the re-habituation boma at Singita Grumeti Reserves were observed mating!
Singita Pamushana : August 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
The first photograph was taken a few months back and it’s surprising to see how the vegetation has changed from lush green to tan in that time.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : August 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
It is never an easy task to step into the shoes of somebody who has filled a position with success for a lengthy period.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : July 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
I write this month’s wildlife diary with mixed feelings, as it is the last edition that I will be involved in, as I move on from Singita Sabi Sand at the end of July.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : July 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
July was a dry month which is not unusual for this time of year but despite this there was excellent game viewing all over the concession.
Singita Pamushana : July 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
July has been a hive of activity at the lodge and out on game drives, with guests often seeing the “Big Five” within their first few drives, and sometimes even on a single drive!
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : July 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Most guides have a few things on their “bush bucket-list” that they would love to witness one day. I now count it as one of the more special sightings I have witnessed so far.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : June 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
At the end of June we welcomed 3 new members to our guiding team. Nick Podmore and Francois Fourie successfully graduated from the intensive 6 month training course run by Alan Yeowart at Singita Sabi Sand.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : June 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
It never ceases to amaze its inhabitants albeit those who visit for a few nights or those who stay for many years. Not one day is the same and there’s a daily surprise waiting to be found around the corner.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : June 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The Wildebeest Migration was declared the 7th new Wonder of the Natural World in June 2006 and it is well justified. This annual mass movement of over a million wildebeest has to be one of the most awe inspiring
Singita Pamushana : June 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
“When the moon hits your eye like a big-a pizza pie, that’s amore…”When it glows like molten lava then disappears, that’s a central lunar eclipse.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : May 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
As the alarm sounds at just after four in the morning and you peek out your window and all you can see is darkness, you know the grip of winter is upon you.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : May 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
May has been an incredible month. The sightings all over the reserve have been excellent and added to them was the anticipation of launching “Singita Explore Mobile Camp”
Singita Ebony & Boulders : May 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Whilst the early part of the month was characterised by mild weather, similar to what was experienced in April, this was to come to an abrupt end in the middle of the month.
Singita Pamushana : May 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Singita Pamushana had been named as the Global Winner in the Conservation category of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : April 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
Well, April was another fantastic month at Singita Grumeti Reserves, with decent rainfalls and plenty of sunshine.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : April 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
April is always an exciting month to be in the African bushveld. The weather starts to change during this month as days start to shorten considerably.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : April 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
This culminated in them coming face to face with the 3 remaining Mapogo male lions in the last week of the month following which they moved further south.
Singita Pamushana : April 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
They were here for about a week in April, making several impala kills, and have since returned to Gonarezhou.
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : March 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The first two weeks of March were fairly dry, with not much rainfall over the central and western parts of Singita Grumeti Reserves; Ikorongo had a lot – which made the Game Scouts Training course fairly wet!
Singita Ebony & Boulders : March 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The game viewing in March has been nothing short of spectacular. Something that always amazes me is how the game viewing is either spectacular, or dead quiet, there never seems to be a day when it is just average.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : March 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Winter is slowly creeping in through the front door whilst summer is making an exit through the back. The colors are turning and the leaves form a bed of brown underneath the large deciduous trees.
Singita Pamushana : March 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
When you spend as many hours a day in the bush as resident wildlife documentary filmmaker Kim Wolhuter does, you’re bound to be rewarded time and again with extraordinary sightings
Singita Pamushana : February 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
There are no words to aptly describe the intensity and variety of greens that blanket the landscape this month.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : February 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The plains have changed, from short green pastures to long waving seas of grass. In one month the growth has been phenomenal; you could almost see the grass growing and then turning from lush green to golden brown.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : February 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The first signs of the approaching autumn are starting to surface as the mornings are becoming noticeably crisp, something we haven’t experienced in the past few months
Singita Pamushana : January 2011
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
What a way to begin a new year with the sighting of yet another litter of cheetah cubs!
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : January 2011
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The first half of January saw wonderful rains over the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park and Singita Grumeti Reserves.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : January 2011
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Game viewing has been excellent despite the odd challenge posed by occasional downpours of rain which have been generously dealt to us thus far and the resultant effect on the bush is gloriously lush.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : January 2011
Kruger National Park, South Africa
I find it difficult to describe something that is indescribable. The word “indescribable” literally means something that’s “too unusual, extreme, or indefinite to be adequately described”.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : December 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
December certainly is a busy month, full of excitement with many events planned over Christmas and New Year.
Singita Pamushana : December 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Christmas decorations in the form of seedpods, fruits and flowers decorate the trees and plants, and the surrounding vegetation is bright green with envy!
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : December 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Summer at Singita Kruger National Park is unlike summer anywhere else. The drastically dry, dusty landscape is transformed into what can only be referred to as paradise.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : November 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
November has to be one of the most exciting months. The dry dusty landscape changes in to a lush and green savannah. Within two weeks of the first rains it all transforms.
Singita Ebony & Boulders : November 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
With the arrival of November, so to came the first of the summer rains. While November was seen in with a thunderstorm, not much rain fell until the 5th of the month.
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : November 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The new cubs to the Butamtam Pride were introduced to us this month, 3 youngsters born towards the end of October add their numbers to the pride, increasing the total to 12.
Singita Pamushana : November 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Mix the mighty and the minute, the swarms and the solitary, the frightening and the fragile, the attention and affection seekers.
Singita Sasakwa; Sabora & Faru Faru : October 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The rains throughout October were very good and consistent, on most afternoons we had thunderstorms that lasted for about half an hour and these were scattered all over the property
Singita Ebony & Boulders : October 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
Upon entering the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, one is struck by a flush of green, particularly in the Marula trees, that are so abundant in this area.
Singita Lebombo & Sweni : October 2010
Kruger National Park, South Africa
A dust-devil dances across the Central Depression as heat waves ripple like the waters of a never-ending lake. Temperatures shoot up to well above forty degrees Celsius.
Singita Pamushana : October 2010
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
It is achingly dry at the moment, although we’ve been teased with splashes of rain, and well-fed carnivores are reaping the rewards as thirsty, thin herbivores are perilously drawn to scarce water supplies.
Singita Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : September 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
The “small” wet season has started and after the fires that swept across the Serengeti and Grumeti Reserves last month the transformation has been amazing, the black cotton soils that crack when dry have swollen aga
Singita Ebony & Boulders : September 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The first of September marked the arrival of spring and with it came the first leaves on the Marula trees and a mass of white flowers on the Knobthorn acacias, one of the first trees to flower.
Singita Boulders & Ebony : August 2010
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
August has traditionally been quite a windy month and this year has proved no exception.
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 Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : August 2010
Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania
This was a scene so typical in August at Singita Grumeti Reserves, wildebeest herds ranging from hundreds to a few thousand trudging slowly across the plains in search of new pastures and water.
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 Sasakwa, Sabora & Faru Faru : 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!
