lion

Ever wondered why lions have manes or why leopards seem to spend so much time in trees? Maybe you’ve found yourself questioning how guides know a track is fresh, or why some animals are spotlighted at night while others are left in the dark.

Our guides hear these questions all the time - usually somewhere between a coffee stop and a sighting! So, we thought it was time to put guides James and Khutso from Misava, and JV and Lola of Amani, to the test. In this new Ask Our Guides series, they tackle some of the wildlife questions guests ask most often and share a little insight into the fascinating world of the African bush.

Life for the prides of central Klaserie has been anything but simple. Power struggles, breakaways, and heartbreaking setbacks have dogged recent years. But with new males rising, cubs being born - and lost - and the lionesses fighting to protect their future, it’s a story as raw and real as the wilderness itself. Keep reading for the full update on the complex and ever-changing lion dynamics at Klaserie Drift.

As summer slowly gives way to the first signs of winter, March has proven to be wildly drier this year than last. The grass is already withered to hues of yellow and gold and the once raging Klaserie river now slowly ebbs and winds through the reserve. The forecast of an ‘El Niño’ drought is ringing truer than ever…. However, it is no secret here at Klaserie Drift that our prime location alongside the river is particularly favoured by local wildlife in such times. With a bumper series of sightings this month, we could hardly disagree. Here are a few of our favourite moments over the last few weeks…

Big cats hold a special place in our imagination, with lions and leopards often being the most sought-after sightings on safari. Revered for their incredible beauty and ferocious power, it’s no wonder that we are fascinated with them. Yet, as much as we dream of the perfect lion sighting or a bucket-list leopard in a tree, we rarely dare to think of seeing both at once.

It’s fair to say life is never dull when living amongst wild animals. However, there are some that keep us more on our toes than others here at Klaserie Drift – and the Klaserie River Pride is one such example! Hitting the headlines as recently as late last year when their ranks exploded to more than thirty individuals, these lions became known as a rare ‘Super pride’. Keep reading to find out the latest on these awesome felines.