SPECIAL INTEREST #1

Greater Painted-Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)

This very shy bird is a scarce resident and is placed very high on many birders sought after list. Unlike most other birds it is the female that is the most striking with her chestnut coloured breast and neck. It is also the male that looks after the nest and chicks. This photo of a female was taken where they were skulking amongst the reeds in the middle of our wetlands system.

Cubs (Panthera leo)

It has taken a few months but eventually the lioness of the Northern Pride has decided to show her cubs to the world. All five of them! Although we had brief visuals of her and the cubs in the past, it was always in the distance and we were not able to get any photo's. These pictures, however, were taken when they killed a giraffe and we were able to spend a few days with them. The cubs soon lost their fear for the Land Rovers and we have been treated to some memorable moments of them playing around the vehicles

Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
versus African Rock Python (Python sebae).

The Nile Crocodile, that can reach a length of about 6 meters, will prey on almost anything. Although fish makes up a large part of their diet, they will also ambush antelope, zebra and even buffalo coming to drink. This large crocodile seen at the waterfall at the Mkuze Falls Main Lodge with an African Rock Python in its jaws. Large food items will be softened by biting. The crocodile then will grab a mouth full and start spinning on its long axis to tear off bits to swallow.

Lunar Moth Caterpillar (Argema mimosae)

On this picture the caterpillar of the very beautiful Lunar Moth can be seen. The Lunar Moth is part of the Saturniidae family, which includes some of the largestmoths in the world. The larvae is green, with fine white bands and rows of long projections on its back. They normally feed on Marula and Tamboti trees. This picture was taken near a dense stand of Tamboti trees.

Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

At Mkuze Falls we are fortunate with our hyena sightings. With their eerie whooping and laughing calls they form part of Africa's most memorable night sounds. In this picture a young female can be seen showing great interest in one of our game viewing vehicles. In some parts of Africa hyenas can form clans of up to 40 animals. In areas where hyenas do occur in large groups they have been known to even dominate lions.