Written by Isaiah Banda
February is widely known as the month of love, a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the people and places that matter most. Here at Mabula, love is celebrated in many forms. It is not confined to romantic gestures alone. Here, love is alive in the community, in the wildlife, in the experiences shared by our guests, and in the land itself, it’s a living love letter
With the landscape now glowing after some warm weather following the torrential downpour, everything feels alive and flourishing. Birds chirp constantly, insects buzz in the background, predators reclaim their territories, and the young grow strong and fast, making the bush feel energetic and full of promise.
The passing of the recent weather system has placed the Mabula landscape in an incredibly healthy position as we head into the drier months. Just because we’ve had these downpours doesn’t mean the rain is finished. Another two to three months of rainfall is expected, allowing the grass to stay greener for longer and the waterhole to remain full for a sustained period
Tracking on Foot and Reading the Invisible
One quiet morning, when the lodge was not fully booked, an idea was shared among us, to go out on foot and follow the land through tracking on foot. The suggestion was met with instant excitement, sparking the same passion that brought us all into guiding in the first place. Every guide wanted to be part of it, but as always, duty came first, and some remained behind to care for our guests.
Those who were free seized the moment and stepped into an experience that reminded us why we chose this path. The lodge is often alive with activity, and opportunities like these are rare. When they appear, they are not to be postponed or ignored, they are to be embraced. Moments like these shape us, inspire us, and keep the spirit of guiding alive.
There are times in the bush when everything appears still. The road lies undisturbed, the grass barely moving, the air heavy with the warmth of the rising sun. To the untrained eye, it can feel as though nothing has passed through this space for hours, even days. But to a guide stepping onto the ground on foot, the landscape is alive with information.
Tracking is the art of reading what cannot be seen. When we leave the vehicle and begin walking, our focus drops from the horizon to the sand beneath our feet. Every mark on the ground has meaning. A shallow indentation, barely visible unless the light hits it just right, may be the passing of a cheetah during the early hours of the morning. A deeper, more defined print could belong to a lion moving with purpose, its weight pressing clearly into the earth.
Each species leaves behind a signature. A cheetah’s tracks are smaller and more oval, with clear claw marks visible ahead of the toes. The narrow stride and lightweight impression reflect a body built purely for speed rather than stealth. Lions, larger and heavier, leave broader impressions, and you can often see where they paused, turned, or lay down briefly in the shade. Even the spacing between tracks tells a story, whether an animal was relaxed, hunting, or moving with urgency.
Time is one of the most important clues a guide reads. Fresh tracks are crisp and sharp, their edges clearly defined. Early morning tracks often hold the coolness of the night, with fine grains of soil still undisturbed around them. As the day warms, shadows shorten, wind softens the edges, and insects slowly erase detail. By reading these subtle changes, we can tell whether an animal passed minutes ago or several hours before sunrise.
But tracking is never limited to footprints alone. Bent grass, snapped twigs, or bark scraped from a tree all add to the picture. A broken branch at shoulder height may indicate a giraffe feeding as it walked. Flattened grass, still holding moisture, suggests a herd of buffalo that crossed recently. Even dung plays a role, its shape, moisture, and the insects already at work on it can help determine how long ago an animal passed through the area.
Scent is another powerful clue. The unmistakable smell of a territorial spray from a lion or leopard on a bush tells us not only who was there, but often why. These scent markings are messages, silent but deliberate, warning rivals and communicating presence in an area. Tracking on foot demands patience and awareness.
Wind directions are checked constantly, not only for our own safety, but to ensure we do not disturb the animals we follow. Communication between the guides is often done without words, a subtle hand signal, a change in posture, a pause that signals something important have been noticed. Every step is taken carefully, deliberately, always mindful of the environment and the wildlife that call it home.
We picked up the tracks of our cheetah coalition on Kwaf Highway close to Diagonal Road; we decided to stop the vehicle and begin to follow them on foot. It was a challenging pursuit, cheetahs are light on the ground and leave only subtle clues, especially when moving through grass.
Yet, guided by the calm confidence of our qualified walking guide, Frans, and supported by Apollo and Piet’s exceptional tracking skills, the landscape slowly began to reveal its secrets. In tall grass and on hard ground, cheetahs leave only whispers of their presence. Bent grass, faint claw marks, and the occasional tail drag become the clues that guide a guide forward.
Their spoors often disappear and reappear, demanding patience, experience, and an understanding of movement rather than reliance on footprints alone. Reading these subtle signs turns the walk into a conversation with the landscape itself. What at first seemed difficult soon became a rewarding journey of reading signs, footprints, and whispers of movement left behind by these remarkable cats.
What many guests don’t realize is that tracking is not about rushing toward a sighting; it is about understanding movement, behaviour, and intention. This was true in our case with the cheetah coalition, whose tracks led us to where they were resting quietly in slightly thicker vegetation, well positioned in the shade. At times, tracks guide us to an animal lying peacefully, hidden from view. We used the opportunity to learn about other things which we came across while we were tracking the cheetahs, which was a learning experience to all of us.
At other times, they fade into hard ground or rocky terrain, and the trail comes to an end. Nevertheless, the experience remains valuable, as tracking involves interpreting the narrative of the landscape in addition to locating the animal. Often, the true reward of tracking is not the animal itself. It is the connection formed through concentration and time spent reading the land. Walking the same path an animal used only hours before creates a deep sense of respect for how seamlessly wildlife moves through this environment, leaving behind just enough information for those who know how to look.
That same afternoon, I decided to return to the area where we had last left them. They had looked hungry, restless, and focused, and I was certain the afternoon would bring a hunt. There’s a stillness that fills the air before a hunt. The cheetah crouches low, eyes locked on a distant impala, tail flicking in perfect rhythm with its breathing.
For a moment, time slows, and then, in an explosion of speed, Mabula’s fastest predator becomes a blur across the open plains. Watching this unfold here at Mabula Game Lodge is a sight that leaves even the most seasoned guides in awe. Yet behind that grace and speed lies a story of struggle and survival, one that reminds us how fragile the future of the cheetah truly is. Their focus was incredible, even from our elevated point, I could see their attention was fully captured by unseen prey.
Soon, the brothers split, and a chase unfolded right in front of us as a distant herd of impalas exploded into motion. Dust rose, hooves thundered, and within seconds the cheetahs had singled out their target. With precision, speed, and unwavering focus, they closed the distance, and the hunt ended successfully.
From this moment, the bush reminded us of an important lesson: cheetahs do not chase blindly. They choose their target carefully and commit fully, no matter what the challenge. Once the decision is made, there is no hesitation, only focus, determination, and follow-through. It is a lesson we can all carry with us: when we choose a path, we must commit and stay the course.
Tracking teaches patience, humility, and attentiveness. It reminds us that the bush is constantly communicating, offering stories to those willing to slow down and listen. When guests ask how we manage to find animals so consistently, the answer is simple. The bush is always speaking.
Power Shift On Mabula
In the wild, power shifts frequently, and seldom without conflict. Among many social mammals, especially lions and some primates, the drama of territorial takeover is one of nature’s most intense displays of strategy, strength, and survival. While it may look chaotic at first glance, these takeovers and the seemingly unusual mating arrangements that follow, are rooted in deep evolutionary logic.
Male lions do not rule through solitude. Power is forged in unity, where brothers or long-standing allies form coalitions bound by strength and strategy. Together, they challenge rivals, endure battles, and stake their claim over prized territory and the females within it. In the world of lions, dominance is never given, it is earned, defended, and shared.
Recently, Mabula entered a powerful new chapter in its lion story. With three young males, born just over two years ago, beginning to challenge their father, the balance of dominance on the reserve started to shift. These early signs of rivalry are a natural part of lion dynamics, and they signaled that the time had come for careful and responsible intervention by the Reserve Management Division.
To protect and strengthen the genetic future of Mabula’s lions, a considered decision was made. The resident male, together with two lionesses, was relocated to another game reserve, allowing the three young males to remain behind. This decision ensured continuity, reduced conflict, and opened the door to an exciting new phase in their development, with plans to introduce unrelated females at the right time.
For the guides, this change brought a wave of anticipation and excitement. Watching young males’ step into independence is a rare privilege. To witness them grow, see their manes slowly begin to form, and hear the first deep notes of their developing roars is to watch the future of the pride taking shape before our eyes.
Since the change, these young males have kept us constantly on our toes. They have been traversing the entire reserve, exploring areas where they were seldom seen before. Without the guiding presence of the lionesses, their movements have become unpredictable, challenging our understanding and reminding us that the bush always has the final say.
One of the most thrilling milestones has been witnessing their growing confidence and capability as hunters. No longer reliant on the lionesses, the young males have successfully brought down zebras and even eland on their own, a true testament to their strength, teamwork, and rapid learning. These moments mark the transition from adolescence to true independence.
This shift in lion dynamics has sparked renewed energy among the guiding team. Where once we could anticipate their movements, we now find ourselves guessing and often being proven wrong. Every drive carries a sense of discovery, and every update feels like a new chapter unfolding. These are truly exciting times at Mabula, where change, growth, and the wild rhythm of life continue to inspire us all.
Watching a lion move through the bush is to witness quiet mastery in motion. Its paws land softly on the earth, broad and padded to absorb sound and impact, allowing such a powerful animal to move with surprising silence. Each step is deliberate, protecting sensitive feet from heat and rough ground, while concealing the sharp claws that remain hidden until the moment they are needed. It is a reminder that strength in the wild is often paired with control.
As the lion moves, its ears are constantly at work, turning and flicking to capture every sound the bush offers. A distant alarm call, the rustle of grass, or the low rumble of another lion carries meaning, and the ears translate these signals instantly. Without a single sound, the lion communicates its mood and intent through subtle ear movements, speaking a silent language understood by the pride long before any roar breaks the air.
The lion’s coat completes the picture, blending perfectly with the colours of the savanna. This natural camouflage allows it to disappear into grass and shadow, whether resting or preparing for a hunt. In males, the mane adds another layer to the story, thick, dark, and full, it reflects maturity, health, and dominance, while also offering protection during inevitable clashes with rivals.
Together, paws, ears, and hair tell a story of balance rather than brute force. They reveal how a lion survives and thrives, not through constant aggression, but through patience, awareness, and finely tuned design. To observe these details on safari is to understand that the lion’s true power lies not only in its presence, but in the quiet perfection of how it moves through its world.
A lion’s eyes are often the first thing that holds your attention, steady and unblinking, as if measuring everything before them. Set forward on the face, they give the lion excellent depth perception, perfectly suited for judging distance during a stalk or a chase.
In daylight, the amber and gold tones reflect the surrounding savanna, but as dusk settles, those same eyes seem to change character, sharpening with intent. Every slow blink, every fixed stare, speaks of focus and confidence, a predator that knows its place in the landscape. At night, a lion’s eyes truly reveal their power. A reflective layer behind the retina, known as the tapetum lucidum, allows them to gather and amplify even the faintest light, making them exceptional nocturnal hunters.
This is why a torch beam catches that unmistakable glow in the darkness, eyes watching, calculating, waiting. In the quiet of the bush, those glowing eyes are a reminder that while the landscape may seem still, it is never empty. For guests fortunate enough to meet a lion’s gaze, it is often a moment of connection that lingers long after the drive ends, a silent exchange between observer and king of the plains.
As the heat of the day softens, lions eventually make their way to water with the same calm authority that defines all they do. Drinking is never rushed; they pause first, scanning the surroundings, ears alert and bodies angled to maintain awareness. When they lower their heads, their powerful tongues draw water in steady laps, often lifting their faces to watch between mouthfuls. Waterholes are places of vulnerability, and every movement reflects caution, experience, and survival instinct. In these quiet moments, the lion reveals another side of its strength, patience, awareness, and respect for a landscape that gives life but demands vigilance in return.
Calm & Reflective
An afternoon shaped by patience, silence, and the quiet presence of Mabula’s elephants, a reminder that the bush reveals itself when we slow down and listen. On a beautiful afternoon, we set out once again into the reserve, the promise of the bush guiding our anticipation. Before departing, we paused at the high tea station, where a warm cup of coffee helped shape the plan for the safari to search for elephants. Guests were gently reminded that in the wild, nothing is ever guaranteed, and that it is often the journey, not just the sighting, that makes a safari truly special.
We headed south toward the area where the elephants had last been reported, reading the landscape as we moved. Fresh dung, broken branches, and large round footprints in the sand told a story of recent movement. At one point, we switched off the engine completely, allowing the bush to speak in its own language. In the stillness, a branch snapping nearby heightened the sense of anticipation, and the thrill of tracking took hold.
Moments later, the elephants emerged onto the road ahead of us. A quiet wave of awe swept through the vehicle as guests watched in silence, cameras gently clicking. The elephants paused to dust themselves, coating their massive bodies in fine earth to cool off and protect their skin, a timeless ritual performed with calm confidence.
As we followed them toward a nearby waterhole, we observed the subtle interactions within the group. The adults moved with purpose and awareness, communicating through low rumbles and body language, each individual respecting the space and rhythm of the others. There was no urgency, only balance a reminder of the patience and quiet strength that defines these giants of the bush. It was a moment that captured the true essence of safari: not just seeing wildlife but understanding it. In that shared silence, surrounded by elephants and the sounds of the afternoon bush, guests were reminded that nature unfolds on its own terms, and when it does, it leaves a lasting impression.
Giraffes Came Out In Numbers
When you think of a giraffe, chances are you picture its towering silhouette against the African savannah, gracefully reaching high into the trees to nibble on leaves. It’s an iconic image – and for good reason. Giraffes are the tallest land animals on Earth, and their height plays a key role in how and what they eat.
Giraffes are obligatory browsers, meaning their diet primarily consists of leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits from trees and shrubs. One of their favorite food sources is the acacia tree, known for its nutrient-rich leaves – and its long, sharp thorns. Fortunately, giraffes have evolved to handle this challenge with ease.
Their most impressive adaptation is a 45–50 cm long prehensile tongue that’s tough, flexible, and darkly pigmented, likely to protect against sunburn. This remarkable tongue allows them to skillfully strip leaves from even the most thorn-covered branches with precision and efficiency. Technically, giraffes can eat grass, and in rare circumstances – such as during droughts or severe habitat degradation – they might do so out of necessity.
Giraffes are built for browsing, not grazing. With their incredibly long legs and necks, bending down to eat grass is awkward, energy-consuming, and puts them in a vulnerable position to predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas.
As ruminants, giraffes have a four-chambered stomach, adapted to break down fibrous woody plant material. Grass, especially in large quantities, may not provide the right balance of nutrients and fibre they need for optimal health.
By feeding high in the canopy, giraffes avoid competing with the many grazing species like zebras, wildebeest, and antelope. Their vertical reach gives them exclusive access to food other herbivores can’t touch. While its rare, giraffes do bend down to drink or sniff at ground vegetation.
These moments are striking to witness, not just because of their awkward posture (front legs splayed wide, neck dropping low), but because of how carefully and briefly they perform the act. But as the saying goes, experience is the best teacher.
Giraffe and other animal species would supplement defiance in their diets by chewing on bones or licking on different types of soils, as uncomfortable as it is for the giraffe to bend down for longer periods of time it is however essential for them to do so in order to acquire required nutrients and or medicinal help from other sources of food apart from their main diet.
This month, and every month, we celebrate love in all the forms it takes here. In the connections between people who have become family. In the bonds we witness creatures wild and free. In the sacred responsibility we carry for this land. In the moments our guests share with one another, stripped of everything that does not matter, left only with what does.
Love is everywhere at Mabula. In the dust beneath your feet and the stars above your head. In the laughter of children and the wisdom of elders. In the roar that shakes your chest and the silence that settles your soul.
It is a privilege to witness it. An honour to protect it. It’s a joy to share it.
Until then, may the spirit of the bush stay with you wherever you go
From Isaiah Banda & Mabula family.
Safari Greetings.
