Written by Isaiah Banda
And just like that, another month in the Mabula Game Lodge has come and gone, more than a month into the year 2026. Time has a strange way of accelerating out here. The days feel slow and deliberate, yet weeks just vanish in the blink of an eye. The bush continues to move to its own rhythm, reminding us of each day how much life is packed into every sunrise and sunset.
The recent rains have breathed fresh energy into the reserve, and with it has come an unmistakable vibrancy. The mornings are alive with birdsong, while the afternoons carry that warm, humming stillness that only the bush can offer. This week has been rich in variety, from relaxed moments with lions to the smaller, often overlooked details that make time in the wild so rewarding.
One of the true highlights came in the form of a rare sighting of a crocodile taking down Wildebeest at Main dam. With this, it becomes clear that this past month delivered its fair share of magic. As always, there’s a little bit of everything, unexpected encounters, familiar faces, and scenes that will linger long after the dust has settled.
January marks the beginning of a brand-new year and a fresh chapter in the Mabula bush. As the first sunrises of 2026 stretch across the reserve, the landscape stands vibrant and alive after the summer rains, setting the perfect stage for another year of unforgettable safari experiences.
With every dawn comes renewed energy, fresh tracks on sandy roads, and the promise of new stories waiting to unfold. This time of year, is especially rewarding for wildlife sightings. Lush vegetation supports abundant grazing, predators remain active, and water sources draw a wide variety of species into view.
Guests can look forward to exciting encounters with lions asserting territory, elephant herds moving gracefully through the green thickets, and plains game thriving across the reserve. Birdlife is at its peak, with resident and migratory species adding colour, movement, and sound to every drive.
The bush has truly rewarded us with unforgettable sightings this month, offering quiet, intimate moments that remind us why time in the wild is so special. Gentle giraffes were observed with calf suckling, their calves close at their sides, while tsessebe mothers stood patiently as their young ones suckled, completely at ease in their natural surroundings.
Even though some nights were cloudy and the stars were hidden from view, on evenings when conditions allowed, guests enjoyed every moment of our stargazing experiences. Guided by our knowledgeable guides, they were able to explore and appreciate the night sky, turning clear evenings into memorable and enriching moments under the stars.
It was truly rewarding to witness how wildlife embraced the lush green bush brought to life by the summer rains on the reserve. The landscape transformed into a vibrant haven, providing abundant grazing and shelter, and animals were seen moving confidently through the refreshed environment. These seasonal changes not only enhanced the beauty of the bush but also highlighted the resilience and harmony between wildlife and nature during this productive time of year.
As we step into 2026, Mabula promises another year of discovery, learning, and connection with nature. From golden sunrises to memorable sundowners, guided by passion and experience, this year holds endless opportunities for remarkable sightings and meaningful moments in the wild. We look forward to sharing the journey ahead with you and welcoming many new memories in the months to come.
A dramatic start to 2026
A crocodile ambush at Main Dam reminds us that the water’s edge can be just as deadly as the open plains. Nature always keeps us guessing. The year began with an unexpected and dramatic moment at Main Dam, as a large crocodile successfully ambushed and killed a wildebeest, a sighting that immediately set the tone for 2026.
This powerful encounter took many by surprise, especially as recent attention had largely focused on cheetahs dominating the kill scenes across the reserve. In a single moment, the crocodile reminded us that the water’s edge can be just as deadly as the open plains.
The incident unfolded swiftly and silently, showcasing the crocodile’s mastery of ambush hunting. Lying motionless beneath the surface, with only its eyes and nostrils exposed, the crocodile waited patiently for the wildebeest to step close enough to drink. In a sudden explosive burst, it lunged forward, clamping its powerful jaws onto the prey before it had any chance to react.
Crocodiles rely on sheer strength rather than speed to subdue their prey. Once a grip is secured, they drag the animal into deeper water to drown it, a method known as the “death roll” often follows. This violent spinning motion disorients the prey, tears flesh, and helps break the animal apart, making it easier to consume. In this case, the wildebeest stood little chance once pulled off balance into the dam.
Feeding behaviour in crocodiles is methodical and patient. Unlike big cats that feed quickly to avoid competition, crocodiles may take several days to consume a kill. They often store carcasses underwater, wedged beneath rocks or vegetation, allowing the meat to soften before feeding resumes. This slow, calculated approach reflects their energy-efficient lifestyle and ability to survive long periods without food.
This remarkable sighting serves as a powerful reminder that every corner of the reserve holds its own drama and danger. While cheetahs may dominate the open savannas, predators like crocodile’s reign supreme at the water’s edge. As the year unfolds, encounters like this promise an exciting and unpredictable season ahead, proof that in the wild, the spotlight can shift in an instant.
A dramatic start to 2026
A crocodile ambush at Main Dam reminds us that the water’s edge can be just as deadly as the open plains. Nature always keeps us guessing. The year began with an unexpected and dramatic moment at Main Dam, as a large crocodile successfully ambushed and killed a wildebeest, a sighting that immediately set the tone for 2026.
This powerful encounter took many by surprise, especially as recent attention had largely focused on cheetahs dominating the kill scenes across the reserve. In a single moment, the crocodile reminded us that the water’s edge can be just as deadly as the open plains.
The incident unfolded swiftly and silently, showcasing the crocodile’s mastery of ambush hunting. Lying motionless beneath the surface, with only its eyes and nostrils exposed, the crocodile waited patiently for the wildebeest to step close enough to drink. In a sudden explosive burst, it lunged forward, clamping its powerful jaws onto the prey before it had any chance to react.
Crocodiles rely on sheer strength rather than speed to subdue their prey. Once a grip is secured, they drag the animal into deeper water to drown it, a method known as the “death roll” often follows. This violent spinning motion disorients the prey, tears flesh, and helps break the animal apart, making it easier to consume. In this case, the wildebeest stood little chance once pulled off balance into the dam.
Feeding behaviour in crocodiles is methodical and patient. Unlike big cats that feed quickly to avoid competition, crocodiles may take several days to consume a kill. They often store carcasses underwater, wedged beneath rocks or vegetation, allowing the meat to soften before feeding resumes. This slow, calculated approach reflects their energy-efficient lifestyle and ability to survive long periods without food.
This remarkable sighting serves as a powerful reminder that every corner of the reserve holds its own drama and danger. While cheetahs may dominate the open savannas, predators like crocodile’s reign supreme at the water’s edge. As the year unfolds, encounters like this promise an exciting and unpredictable season ahead, proof that in the wild, the spotlight can shift in an instant.
How Baboons and Fruiting Trees Shape Mabula’s Seasonal Story.
This month, guides at Mabula have observed a noticeable shift in chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) behaviour, particularly along the Long Winding area. Following recent burns, these normally wide-ranging primates have been spending extended periods in the open, fire-affected zones. Burned areas often act as ecological magnets, exposing underground food sources such as bulbs, roots, and insects, while also encouraging fresh green shoots that are rich in nutrients. Baboons have quickly taken advantage of these newly accessible feeding opportunities.
Adding to this seasonal abundance, we recorded something quite special: for the first time in several years, a remarkable number of sour plum trees (Ximenia caffra) have fruited heavily across this landscape. These fruits provide an excellent source of sugar and moisture, making them highly attractive to baboons during the warmer months. The coincidence of burned ground and fruiting trees has created a temporary buffet, encouraging troops to linger longer than usual in this area.
Throughout the day, troops of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) move methodically between feeding patches, with juveniles playing energetically while adults remain vigilant from elevated positions. Their complex social structure is clearly visible, with dominant males overseeing the troop and sharp alarm calls often echoing across the plains. This behaviour highlights both their intelligence and remarkable adaptability to changing environmental conditions.
As evening approaches, the baboons begin a purposeful journey toward Cussonia Plain, where large fig trees (Ficus spp.) provide preferred sleeping sites. These towering figs offer safety from nocturnal predators, with strong branches and excellent visibility allowing the troop to settle in securely for the night. Nearby cabbage trees (Cussonia spp.) add to the structural complexity of the area, further enhancing the suitability of this landscape.
These observations reflect the resilience and responsiveness of Mabula’s ecosystems. Fire, fruiting cycles, and animal behaviour are intricately linked, creating dynamic wildlife stories across the reserve. The movements of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) this month have offered guides and guests valuable insight into how nature adapts, recovers, and thrives when allowed to follow its natural rhythms.
When the bush is filled with new life, opportunity follows.
And our resident cheetahs are making every moment count during the calving season. With an abundance of impala lambs and wildebeest calves across the reserve, our resident female cheetahs were certainly not about to be outshone by the dramatic crocodile kill at Main Dam. As the bush filled with new life, the cheetahs took full advantage of the season, making successful kills almost every three days, a clear sign of both opportunity and hunting efficiency.
Impalas are famous for giving birth in a short, synchronised period, often within just a few weeks. This strategy, known as predator swamping, overwhelms predators with more prey than they can possibly consume. By flooding the landscape with vulnerable newborns at the same time, impala ensure that while some lambs may fall prey, the majority survive, securing the future of the population.
For predators like cheetahs, however, this brief window is invaluable. Young impalas and wildebeest calves are easier to catch than fully grown adults, allowing cheetahs to hunt more frequently while expending less energy. This is especially important for female cheetahs, who must balance successful hunting with protecting themselves and, at times, their cubs from larger predators.
Cheetahs rely on speed, timing, and open terrain, and the calving season creates ideal conditions for all three. Cheetahs exploit distracted or straggling prey to launch fast, focused chases that usually end within seconds. These frequent successes help them build strength, maintain condition, and reduce the risks associated with longer, more exhausting hunts.
This surge in cheetah activity reminds us how finely tuned the bush truly is. The arrival of newborns, the responses of predators, and the balance between loss and survival all form part of nature’s rhythm. As calves and lambs grow stronger, hunting will once again become more challenging, but for now, the cheetahs are making the most of a fleeting season of abundance.
Baby season in the bush.
Where every drive tells a new story of survival, growth, and wonder. This time of year has always been my favourite in the bush. With babies everywhere, the reserve feels alive with movement, sound, and possibility. Every game drive brings new stories to share, from tiny hooves wobbling through the grass to mothers standing guard with quiet determination. It is a season that reminds us just how powerful and delicate life in the wild truly is.
Wildebeest calves are among the most remarkable newborns to witness. Unlike many animals, they are born highly developed and able to stand within minutes of birth. Incredibly, a wildebeest calf can run alongside its mother within 10 to 15 minutes, an essential survival trait in a landscape filled with predators. This rapid development allows the herd to keep moving, reducing the risk of leaving vulnerable calves behind.
Raising a wildebeest calf is a constant balance between protection and movement. Mothers are fiercely attentive, using the safety of the herd as the primary defence for their young. Calves instinctively stay close, learning herd behaviour from their first hours of life. While there is little direct nurturing beyond guidance and milk, the strength of numbers plays a critical role in their survival.
Wildebeest calves begin grazing surprisingly early, often nibbling on grass within a few weeks of birth. However, milk remains an important part of their diet for several months. Most calves are gradually weaned between four and six months, by which time they are fully capable of sustaining themselves on grass alone and keeping pace with the herd’s constant movement.
One of the most noticeable features of wildebeest calves is their lighter, more brownish coat compared to the darker, slate-grey adults. This colouration helps them blend into the dry grasses and soil, providing camouflage during their most vulnerable early weeks. As they grow stronger and less reliant on concealment, their coat darkens to match that of the adults.
For guides and guests alike, this season offers endless moments of learning and wonder. Watching new life take its first steps, adapt at incredible speed, and find its place within the rhythm of the bush is a privilege. With so much happening across the reserve, every drive becomes an opportunity to share stories of resilience, survival, and the remarkable intelligence of nature at work.
Tiny hooves, curious eyes, and stripes that tell a story, the magic of zebra foals this season.
Across the Mabula bush, new life is everywhere, and nowhere is this more captivating than among the zebra herds. Watching tiny foals wobble to their feet and take their first cautious steps is a reminder of how perfectly nature equips them for survival from the very start.
Guests are always fascinated by these delicate yet resilient newcomers, making this season one of the most rewarding to share. Zebra foals are born remarkably developed. Within minutes of birth, they can stand, and within half an hour they can sprint alongside their mother. This early mobility is essential for escaping predators and staying safe within the protective herd.
Unlike some species that rely on hiding, zebras depend on speed, vigilance, and the strength of the group to safeguard their young. Mothers are deeply attentive during the first days, keeping their foals close and allowing them to imprint on their unique stripes, scent, and vocal cues. The bond formed at this stage is critical, guiding the foal’s behaviour and ensuring it learns the routines and safety signals of the herd.
Once bonded, the foal follows the herd, gaining protection through numbers and collective alertness. Within a few weeks, foals begin nibbling on grass while continuing to nurse from their mothers. Milk remains the primary food source for the first several months, with weaning typically occurring between six and eight months. Even after weaning, foals may occasionally return to suckle, especially in challenging conditions, as they gradually build the strength and stamina needed to keep pace with the adults.
A striking feature of zebra foals is their brown and cream striped coat, which differs from the bold black-and-white of adults. This muted colouring provides camouflage in the tall grasses, helping foals remain less visible to predators while they are still small and vulnerable. As they mature, their stripes darken, forming the striking patterns that define adult zebras.
For guides and guests alike, observing zebra foals is a lesson in resilience, adaptation, and the rhythms of life on the reserve. Every cautious step, every playful interaction with the herd, tells the story of nature’s balance, a season full of discovery, wonder, and unforgettable moments.
On a beautiful afternoon, we set out on another safari. But first, we stopped at the high tea station, where a warm cup of coffee set the plan for the day: we would search for elephants. Guests were reminded that sightings are not guaranteed; the bush always keeps some surprises.
Heading south to the area where the herd was last seen, we looked for tracks, fresh dung, and broken branches. Switching off the vehicle, we allowed the bush to speak to us. Soon, a branch snapped nearby, and the thrill of tracking began.
Finally, the elephants emerged onto the road. Everyone fell silent in awe, cameras clicking as they dusted themselves to cool off. We followed them towards the waterhole, observing the gentle interaction within the herd.
Sundowner drink stops remained a highlight of the safari experience, offering guests a moment to pause and fully absorb the beauty of the bush as day gently faded into night. Set against sweeping views of the reserve, these stops allowed guests to relax with a refreshing drink in hand while watching the sky change colour, from soft gold to deep oranges and purples. The calm of the evening, combined with the sounds of the bush settling for the night, created a truly magical atmosphere.
Guides added depth to these moments by sharing stories, pointing out wildlife movement in the distance, and interpreting the surrounding landscape, turning a simple drink stop into a memorable safari tradition. Laughter, conversation, and quiet appreciation flowed easily as guests connected with nature and each other, often describing the sundowners as one of the most special and unforgettable parts of their stay at Mabula Game Lodge.
During the summer months, the sun rises considerably earlier than in winter. Sunsets are spectacular this time of year. The slight bit of moisture in the last few days has allowed for a slight bit of cloud cover to form and that illuminated by the sun shining through the characteristic hazy, dusty air makes for a great photo opportunity.
Until then, may the spirit of the bush stay with you wherever you go
From Isaiah Banda & Mabula family.
Safari Greetings.
