Guide News – June 2025

Written by Isaiah Banda

Winter has wrapped the bushveld in its cool embrace, transforming Mabula into a landscape of golden grass, icy mornings, and radiant skies.

The month of June brought perfect game viewing conditions, chilly early mornings starting at around 4°C sometimes dropping down to -1°C, warming up to mild afternoons peaking at 16°C. With no rainfall and clear skies throughout the month, the dry season painted the reserve in shades of ochre and bronze, and the animals responded in kind, putting on a spectacle of movement, drama, and beauty.

Our guests were left in awe, and our guides were treated to thrilling encounters that reminded us why we do what we do. From lions launching into full hunts to cheetahs marking territory, elusive elephants playing tricks on us, and antelope flooding the plains, June delivered it all. The bush was alive with energy, and every drive carried the possibility of a once-in-a-lifetime sighting.

One of the most unforgettable highlights this month came from the pride patrolling the Lake Kyle area. In the stillness of early morning, the roaring calls of the males echoed across the reserve, sending chills down spines, human and prey alike. On one incredible morning, guests watched in silence as the lions strategically moved in on a herd of wildebeest, using the cover of tall winter grass and the terrain of the tree edges to their advantage around gully road. In a flash of coordinated motion, the pride brought down their target in a display of raw power and calculated precision in the bushes, it was so dense that we could not drive to see them, the boundary of a deep gully blocked us from getting to where they brought down their prey.

We had to take a long loop to get around the other side of the gully and by the time we got there they were almost done with the wildebeest carcass and only few bones remaining, a clear indication that they were very hungry. Over the few days, these lions will remain in the area, resting under the sparse thorn trees next to the gully, with advantage of having water next to them.

They were visibly relaxed, bellies full and heads up only to swat flies or reposition themselves for the sun. Guests had the rare opportunity to observe the full sequence of lion behaviour, from stalking to feeding to post-hunt bonding. These sightings were more than just thrilling, but they offered a window into the complex social structure of lions. From roles during a hunt to the hierarchy at a kill site, we used the opportunity to educate guests on the dynamics of pride life.

Not all lions get to eat their fill, and guests were often surprised to learn that young once sometimes eat last if dominant adults are still feeding. Lake Kyle is quickly becoming a hotspot this season. The presence of water, dense game, and shade offers a strategic edge for these apex predators. As we head into July, we’ll continue monitoring their movements closely. For now, the pride has left their mark, both on the landscape and in the memory of every guest who was lucky enough to witness the hunt.

Ngulubi Dam became a true centrepiece of surprise and delight this month, not just for its tranquil setting, but because of the unusually bold behaviour of its resident hippos. Typically, shy and aquatic, hippos at Ngulubi gave us several rare moments by basking in the sun outside of the water, an unusual sight during daylight hours. bumble safaris revealed these massive mammals lounging on the banks, warming themselves under the winter sun.

This behaviour sparked many questions from guests. Why were they out of the water? Winter’s cooler nights reduce the risk of skin damage from the sun, giving hippos a brief window in which to sunbathe without drying out or overheating. It also hints at a possible territorial expansion or shrinking water levels that are pushing pods into different routines.

Photographers and nature lovers alike rejoiced, especially those who participated on our guided bushwalks. Guests got the opportunity to view hippos up close, watching them yawning while on a guided bushwalk, displaying those impressive tusks, or simply snoozing on their sides in family clusters. Their calm demeanour outside the water gave us a chance to study their bodies in full, from their thick hides to the fascinating placement of their ears, eyes, and nostrils, all designed for aquatic living.

Ngulubi Dam is now firmly marked on the map as the place to be during winter months for unique hippo interactions. Crocodiles have also made appearances, sharing the sun-drenched shores with the hippos creating an unusual but peaceful co-existence. For guides and guests alike, the dam has become a natural amphitheatre where the wild world takes the stage.

For several weeks, our stunning sable antelope had all but vanished from view, likely tucked deep into valleys and inaccessible routes like Gully Road just behind Mahasha camp, which was waterlogged after our last heavy rains. But June brought a welcome change as the roads dried, and our access expanded, the sables returned graceful, dignified, and awe-inspiring. Now spending their time along the Long Winding Road where the grass is short and palatable for them.

There’s something about spotting a sable that stops you in your tracks. With their gleaming black coats, white facial markings, and majestic backward-curving horns, they are often called “the kings of the antelope world.” This month, herds were spotted emerging from thicker woodland into open clearings on Long Winding plain. The thrill of seeing them again was felt by both guides and first-timer’s guests alike.

Guests were fascinated to learn that sable antelope are not only rare but also fiercely protective of their herds. Adult males will stand their ground against predators and are particularly territorial. Their preference for mixed woodland-savanna means they often go unnoticed unless we venture deeper into their preferred zones, just like we did this month.

Now that they’ve returned, we anticipate more sightings along Long Winding Road and its adjoining glades. Their presence is an indicator of the health and quiet balance of this area of the reserve. With less vehicle movement in past months, perhaps they felt safe enough to reclaim their space. It’s up to us now to manage that privilege with care and respect.

In the heart of Mabula, our sleek and silent hunters, resident cheetah coalition, put on a mesmerizing display of territorial behaviour. Unlike lions or leopards, cheetahs are not built for brute strength. Instead, they rely on speed, grace, and precision. This month, the central region of the reserve became their canvas for movement, marking territory through scent, clawing at trees, and resting atop termite mounds like royalty on a throne.

We noted an increase in scent-marking and patrol routines, suggesting that these cats are reinforcing their dominance within their range. Guests had the joy of witnessing several of these rituals watching the cheetahs pause to sniff old marks, raise their tails, and move with purpose from one landmark to the next. It was less about the chase this month and more about statement.

Though not always hunting, the cheetahs still gave us unforgettable moments. On one drive, guests observed a high-speed chase that, while unsuccessful, still showed off the cat’s full capabilities. That split-second acceleration, the tail steering through the dust, and the pure silence of the sprint left everyone breathless. Cheetahs may not be the top of the food chain, but they are the epitome of elegance and energy.

Cheetahs are the only big cats that cannot roar. Instead, they chirp, purr, and hiss. These vocalizations, often heard during territory marking or when calling to siblings, added to the richness of June’s encounters. The central plains have never felt more alive, and as always, the cheetah reminded us that quiet confidence can command just as much awe as raw power.

Cheetahs are among the most successful hunters on Mabula Game Reserve, and our male coalition continues to impress with their remarkable hunting prowess. Known for their speed, precision, and strategy, these cats are not just chasing small game, in fact, we’ve observed them successfully taking down prey as large as a subadult eland in the past. This speaks volumes about their coordination and physical capability, especially considering that eland are the largest antelope species in Southern Africa.

What makes these sightings even more extraordinary is the technique involved. Unlike ambush predators, cheetahs rely on timing and explosive acceleration, often reaching speeds of over 100 km/h in a matter of seconds. The males typically stalk quietly until within 50–100 meters of their target, then launch into a lightning-fast chase. Watching them work together one flushing, the other intercepting, provides not only thrilling moments for guests but also valuable insights into the social dynamics and cooperation within male coalitions. Mabula’s open grasslands and scattered woodlands provide the ideal terrain for these hunts, making it one of the best places to witness this breathtaking behaviour in action.

June seemed to bring out the playful side of Mabula’s elephants. Instead of staying within familiar ranges, they crisscrossed the reserve, vanishing from known territories only to appear days later in areas they hadn’t frequented in months. It became a game of hide and seek for our guiding team, with radios crackling in excitement the moment fresh signs were found.

Their movement patterns this month revealed the intelligence and adaptability of these giants. Often, we’d arrive at a dam just minutes after they’d passed, only to spot them two days later near Leopard Valley, throwing sand and playfully trumpeting. Guests were captivated not just by their size but by their interactions. Every sighting reminded us of their deep emotional intelligence and communication methods that still puzzle science. Eventually, our efforts paid off with several full sightings in the open. For many guests, it was the highlight of their stay watching a 5-ton elephant quietly appear from the bush is something you never forget. Elephants display one of the most fascinating and adaptive feeding strategies in the animal kingdom. Unlike many herbivores with fixed diets, elephants are both browsers and grazers, adjusting their diet seasonally to include grasses, leaves, bark, fruit, roots, and even mineral-rich soil. Their trunk is a marvel of muscular and sensory engineering containing over 40,000 muscles, it acts as both hand and nose.

They use it to pluck grass, strip thorny branches, pick fruit with delicate accuracy, or uproot shrubs entirely. What’s particularly interesting is their ability to combine trunk and tusk they break off large branches or strip bark using a combination of twisting, leverage, and scraping. Even their feet come into play kicking up tubers or breaking tough plant matter for easier handling. With adults consuming up to 300 kilograms of vegetation daily, their feeding not only sustains them but actively reshapes the landscape, creating clearings, dispersing seeds, and opening pathways for other species.

Elephants breathe exclusively through their trunk, which serves a dual role in both feeding and respiration. Unlike most mammals, their trunk contains no bone, yet it functions as a long, flexible breathing tube, particularly useful when they swim across deep water, allowing them to snorkel as they move. Internally, they possess large, highly efficient lungs with a unique pleural structure: the lungs are attached directly to the chest wall, which helps support breathing given their massive size. Additionally, elephants possess a well-developed Jacobson’s organ, or vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of the mouth.

This organ plays a vital role in chemical communication. When elephants perform the flehmen response curling their trunk into their mouth they are transferring scent molecules to the Jacobson’s organ to analyse pheromones, identify reproductive status, or gather information about other elephants. This heightened chemosensory ability is essential for navigating complex social networks, finding mates, and detecting threats in their environment. Together, their feeding adaptations, respiratory structure, and sensory systems make elephants not only silent giants but deeply intelligent and ecologically vital beings.

While the predators stirred and stalked, the prey species were not to be outdone. From the Blesboks to the stately stride of giraffes and the zigzagging escape tactics of wildebeest, the reserve’s open areas felt full of life and motion. This abundance brought not just numbers but interaction. The zebras, with their bold black-and-white stripes, made for perfect photo opportunities and conversation starters, especially when guests learned that no two stripe patterns are alike.

These gatherings are more than aesthetic they represent survival. In winter, water sources are limited, so animals congregate around the same places, creating opportunities for incredible mixed-species sightings. From a guide’s perspective, this is prime time for educating guests on comparative behaviour, feeding strategies, and predator-prey dynamics. Antelopes are not merely filler on a safari they’re central to the ecosystem’s health and beauty. And when the grass is low, the wind is calm, and the light hits just right, they become living works of art against the canvas of Mabula’s winter bushveld.

June 2025 delivered unforgettable stories, dramatic encounters, and serene moments of connection between humans and nature. The guides of Mabula rose to the occasion, navigating, tracking, interpreting, and inspiring. Thank you all for your continued excellence in sharing the magic of this place. Here’s to even more incredible moments in July. Let the stories continue! your heart in the wild.

From Isaiah Banda & Mabula family.
Safari Greetings.