Another incredible month in the Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve has come and gone, leaving guests, and guides with wonderful memories and experiences. As the greens and lush colouration of summer begin to fade, I cannot help but be excited for the change in season. From beautiful orange sunsets to browner, natural, and drier open landscapes once again, the change in season is always something to behold.
Cheetah surprised guests by climbing tree.
It was on the early morning safari when we spotted the cheetah coalition were on an early morning stroll, casually walking across long winding plain. A gaping morning yawn inspired a quick sit down for observation and to gather their thoughts. After a brief social moment of grooming each other, the brothers lethargically got on their feet again.
These cheetah had quite a restful evening and were now on the prowl to find some breakfast. Scent marking the bushes as they go, they made their way to an open area where the Transvaal beechwood trees were standing tall in the open field. We were quite lucky to spot these two cats on our morning safari. We made our way around a bend in an attempt to keep up with the fast moving felines. As we went around the corner, to our surprise, we noticed the cheetahs were looking up a tree, as if they were about to climb it.
This would be quite interesting, as it is unusual to see a cheetah in a tree, never mind climbing it. These cats are not adapted like leopards at climbing trees effectively, instead they are more suited for open plains where they use speeds of up to 120 km/h to catch their prey and evade other competitive predators. Leopards, though similar in appearance, are stockier in build with no tear markings under the eyes, and are equipped with strong gripping claws and body strength to be able to climb a tree without hesitation in order to hide their kills from other predators.
To our astonishment the more slender cheetah, with their beautiful tear markings running down from the eyes, quite quickly mounted the tree they were looking at. However, they appeared to be rather uncomfortable in that position and couldn’t stay there for long. Cheetahs are diurnal and have got different intentions when climbing, they will only do so when the tree is at an angle for them to be able to mount it and use it as a vantage point. They cannot mount it from a vertical position like leopards can.
The reason being that cheetahs walk with their claws extracted to have good grip on the ground when running at a fast pace. The claws being extracted would have similar effect to that of a soccer player’s togs. This prevents them from having grip when climbing. We watched in awe as they gained a vantage point in the Transvaal beechwood tree to look out for any threats or prey they can see in the distance. They looked so regal as they stood with their heads upright looking out on the plains and their beautifully camouflaged bodies blending in with the background.
They spotted a zebra herd in the distance, as they hurriedly and one male quite awkwardly disembarked from the thick branches of the tree. We continued down the road to follow them. Walking right next to each other they appeared as one unit.
Their movement was slow and very well timed. We could not yet see what they had set their sights on, and so we slowly rolled forward to try and get a better view on what that was. Behind the trees in the distance we could see some zebra starring at them. This must be what the brothers had set their gaze upon.
Their brilliant vision and the extreme benefit of a vantage point allowed them to sight the zebra from a far and they made their way ever closer, gaining ground at a quiet pace. The striped horse-like herbivores were completely aware of their activity and ran off.
They now had to accept the fact that their breakfast had escaped. They were not willing to exert energy with the zebras now having the upper hand, not to mention the risk factor of them getting injured in the pursuit. They slowly moved off, and lazily disappeared into the long grass. We were flabbergasted to have experienced the thrill of the stalk. Lost for words, we returned to the lodge for a sumptuous breakfast that hopefully wouldn’t escape. It was an absolutely satisfying way to start the day.
Update on our Elephants
Now that elephants have finished all the marula fruits on the reserve, we are starting to see they are moving to different areas of the reserve.
One of the most recognizable aspects of elephant communication is their trumpeting. It’s a sound that can convey a myriad of emotions; excitement, warning, or distress. If you’ve been on a safari here at Safari Plains and spent any time with a herd of elephants you too would’ve heard trumpeting punctuate the air, providing a glimpse into the dynamic social interactions of elephants.
Each trumpet echoes through the landscape and is used not only to communicate over large distances but also to maintain the intricate bonds within elephant herds. While the trumpeting captures our attention, much of elephant communication occurs below the threshold of human hearing. Infrasound, low-frequency rumbles that travel through the ground, plays a crucial role in the elephant’s communication repertoire.
These infrasound calls can cover vast distances, enabling elephants to share information across the expansive terrain. Imagine the wilderness as a network of invisible conversations, with elephants using infrasound to coordinate activities, warn of danger, or simply stay connected with distant members of their herd.
Elephants will communicate with other elephants over short and long distances using low rumbles some not audible to humans. When you are next watching a herd of elephants, pay attention to their body language. The position of their ears, the gestures of their trunks, and the movements of their bodies all contribute to their communication.
Ears held out may signify excitement or agitation, while ears held back can indicate submission or fear. Trunks are used for intricate gestures, from caressing to disciplining, adding layers of nuance to their interactions. The more closely one observes their body language the more one will understand their subtle gestures to each other.
For elephants, communication isn’t confined to audible or visible cues alone. Chemical signals also play a vital role. Elephants leave scent markings through urine, faeces, and glandular secretions, conveying information about their reproductive status, identity, and the presence of potential mates. Nyathi dam, TPA dam Croc dam to name a few, are where elephants gather, becoming not only a watering hole but also an area for these olfactory messages that contribute to the communal understanding of the herd.
The richness of elephant communication extends far beyond what meets the human ear or eye. From the unmistakable trumpeting that echoes through the bush to the subtle nuances of body language and the silent conversations carried on through infrasound and chemical signals, elephants employ a diverse array of methods to convey their thoughts, emotions, and intentions.
As we continue to study and learn from elephants during safaris on the reserve with our knowledgeable guides, we are not only enhancing our understanding of their social dynamics but also deepen our appreciation for the complexities of the natural world. In the end, it’s not just about deciphering their language but also about respecting and preserving the remarkable bonds and behaviours that define elephant society.
Until next time…
From Isaiah Banda & Mabula family.
Safari Greetings.