Guides’ Diary
Print this page »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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Ebony & Boulders : July 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
This month has provided spectacular game viewing!
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 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 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 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 Ebony & Boulders Lodges : January 2009
Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa
The New Year began with a bang…
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!
