First Baby Impala – The Struggle of Being Born In the Bush

The first baby impala of the season is always a touching moment, and this little one arrived right on cue. Tiny, wobbly, and still carrying that soft, velvety newborn look, it stood tucked close to its mother, blinking at a world already full of challenges. Being an impala lamb is no easy start. Within minutes of birth, they must learn to stand. Within hours, they must run. And within days, they must be fast enough to keep up with the nursery herds that form as more lambs arrive.

Predators know that impala lambing season means opportunity, and the bush becomes a tense place for vulnerable youngsters. Yet, impalas are masters of survival. Mothers use incredibly effective hiding strategies, leaving their lambs tucked away and scentless while they feed nearby. When danger appears, lambs freeze completely, relying on stillness and camouflage.

Watching that first little impala finding its legs reminds us how every new life in the bush begins with bravery. Against all odds, many survive—thanks to their mother’s instincts, their own agility, and the resilience built into this remarkable species.

Ashia’s Five Cheetah Cubs – Learning to Survive Without Mom

Ashia’s five cubs have officially been released back onto Madikwe, marking a bittersweet chapter in their story. Losing their mother so young was a devastating setback — cheetah cubs rely heavily on their mothers to teach them everything from stalking to navigating other predators. And yet, these five have shown an incredible instinct to adapt.

Since their release, they have been exploring cautiously, sticking close together in a tight brotherly coalition. They rely on numbers for confidence, often moving as a fluid, curious unit. They’ve been hunting successfully, even managed to catch two impala on one of their hunting attempts!

What makes this story truly special is witnessing these sub-adults creating their own survival strategy. Without a mother to guide them, they are learning through trial and error — listening, observing, experimenting, and leaning on each other for security. Their journey will not be easy, but each day brings small victories. Watching them grow into independent cheetahs is one of the most inspiring developments in the reserve this season.

Brown Hyena – The Secretive Scavenger

Brown hyenas are some of the most misunderstood animals in the African bush. Guests often imagine scavengers as messy or chaotic, but brown hyenas are surprisingly calculated creatures with a refined scavenging strategy. Mostly nocturnal and solitary, they traverse enormous distances each evening, weaving silently between dens, waterholes, and well-used game paths.

Their sense of smell is extraordinary —they can detect a carcass from kilometers away. When they arrive at a kill site, they move with deliberate caution, scanning for lions or spotted hyenas before approaching. With powerful jaws, they crush bones with ease, extracting nutrients most predators can’t access.

But brown hyenas are not only scavengers. They supplement their diet with insects, berries, eggs, and even small mammals when the opportunity arises. Their adaptability is what allows them to survive in harsh, semi-arid environments.

Seeing one in daylight is rare and always a thrill. These rugged, shaggy animals may not have the fame of other predators, but they play a crucial ecological role—cleaning the landscape, recycling nutrients, and quietly keeping the ecosystem healthy.

Baby Warthogs – The Joy of a First Seasonal Sighting

The first baby warthogs of the season are guaranteed to spread joy, and this year was no exception. Megan and her guests were the lucky team to spot them first — a tiny line of piglets trotting behind their mother with surprising speed. The moment was pure excitement: gasps, laughter, and even a few happy squeals of “Look how tiny they are!” echoed from the vehicle.

Warthog piglets are impossibly cute. With stiff little tails held straight up like antennas, they dart between their mother’s legs, stopping to nibble, sniff, and root around in the sand. Despite their size, they’re quick, already showing the instinct to dash into burrows at the slightest sign of danger.

For guides and guests alike, the first piglets mark the arrival of new life in the bush — a sign that the rainy season is settling in. Megan’s sighting was shared throughout the lodge with contagious enthusiasm, reminding everyone that even the smallest animals can inspire the biggest smiles.

Klipspringers – Masters of the Rocks Around the Lodge

A small group of klipspringers live around the lodge, and they’ve become almost like neighbours — always poised on boulders, always watching with quiet curiosity. These tiny antelopes are perfectly adapted to the rugged terrain they call home. Their hooves are cylindrical and rubbery, allowing them to perch on the smallest rock ledges with incredible precision, almost like ballerinas on tiptoes.

Klipspringers move lightly, bounding effortlessly from rock to rock, often with a mate close behind. They form life-long pairs and maintain small territories, which is why seeing the same individuals around the lodge is such a treat.
Their coarse, hollow fur protects them from sharp edges and extreme temperatures, while their stone-coloured coats blend seamlessly into the granite slopes. Predators struggle to catch them; the moment danger approaches, they spring upwards and vanish into impossible cracks and crevices.

Having a resident klipspringer family near the lodge adds real charm to daily life. They are reminders that even in tough, rocky environments, nature finds a way to create grace, beauty, and perfect adaptation.