During the last few days’ sightings at Kings have been fantastic. We saw all the big five plus a mother cheetah and a 4-month-old cub. This was such an unusual sighting and we were indeed lucky to view this endangered specie.

You our guest will notice that the images posted this time are a tad different to our normal post. Some of the animals we saw in and around our camp that includes the greater cane rat and lions that occasionally get in the camp.

Image 1: Among South African rodents, the Greater Cane Rat is second in size and mass only to the porcupine. Its body is bulky and covered in bristly hair; its head is large, while its tail and legs are short.
When they are alarmed, the rat gives a whistling call and thumps the ground with its hindfeet. They then scurry away, to freeze a few moments later when they feel they are out of danger. This is one seriously large rat. Bigger than certain dogs I know.

Image 2: The White-bellied Sunbird

The White-bellied Sunbird feeds in typical sunbird fashion clasping the edge of the flower or taking up a perch close to the flower into which it pokes its long curved bill. It moves around quickly from flower to flower.
The White-bellied Sunbird is monogamous unless its mate dies. In the event of a partner dying it will seek out a new mate.

Image 3: One of the 3 young Shobele sub-adult males. Theses 3 young males have a hard time ahead of them, as they are about to leave their natal range. I am hoping that they will have better luck soon.

Image 4: A rare sighting of a mother cheetah and her 4-month-old cub. I have no doubt that she had more that just this one. A 70% mortality rate among the cubs is quite normal. The last time I saw a cub this small was 6 years ago.

Image 5: My favourite animal. Cunning, beautiful, powerful says it all. Leopard sightings at Kings Camp are just outstanding.

I hope you enjoyed the images as much as I captured them.

Patrick O’Brien – Head guide.