Leopard Orchid
The Leopard Orchid is used as a love charm, an antidote for bad dreams and to ward off lightning at traditional homesteads. This orchid is an epiphytic, a plant that grows on top of another – in this case on…
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Ranger News
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Skukutsu males & Mphosa
The death of the male lion we called Trilogy left a power vacuum in the area round KwaMbili. With enough prey around, the lionesses of the northern pride stayed in their territory but with no male lion scent-marking this territory,…Read More »
A special sighting
We were extremely lucky this week at KwaMbili to see an animal we have not seen in a while – and not just one! We have spoken before about what happened to our resident cheetah when the predominance of the…Read More »
Spider-hunting wasps
The spider-hunting wasp is a fascinating little creature which you usually hear before you see. As they fly they create a clicking noise which is very noticeable. And when you do see one, it will appear black and blue, depending…Read More »
Bushbuck
Belonging to the tribe Tragelaphini, Bushbuck are the smallest and most aggressive of the spiral-horned antelope. They are often confused with Nyala, especially since they are regularly found in the company of Nyala. Bushbuck try to avoid buffalo as buffalo…Read More »
The most elegant antelope
The kudu is the most elegant antelope – even their tracks are often seen as perfect. These large animals can be identified by the white vertical stripes along their flanks and the males’ large spiral horns. The females’ ears always…Read More »
Spotted Eagle Owl
Whilst out on patrol late in the evening we spotted this beautiful Spotted Eagle Owl up on a branch across the road, blending in almost perfectly with the tree. The Eagle Owl is among the largest of owls in the…Read More »
Baboon spider
Baboon Spiders look large and fearsome but if left alone they are quite docile. Even during lockdown at KwaMbili we have to keep an eye out for creatures large and small! We found a spider floating upside down in the…Read More »
Wild Cotton
The scientific name for Wild Cotton is Gossypium herbaceum. The Genus name Gossypium is from the Arabic word “goz” which means soft substance. Gossypium is Latin for “cotton” and herbaceum means herbaceous. This shrub is endemic to South Africa, occurring…Read More »
Life around camp
With the lodge closed during the corona lockdown there is much less human activity and we are experiencing an increase in animal sightings inside the camp. From kudu to leopard sightings, it may seem that KwaMbili is not only a…Read More »
