Ngwenya Eco-Diary

Wildlife Sightings Along the Riverfront at Ngwenya Lodge

January
No kills were recorded along the riverfront. However, exciting viewings reported included lion, hyena, elephant, rhino, buffalo and nyala. Kudu, giraffe, warthog, baboons and vervet monkeys were seen quite frequently. Hippos, crocs, impala and waterbuck were seen daily. Zebra were only reported once.

February
As with January no kills were reported for February. However, a wide diversity of game was seen along the riverfront. Some of the more exciting viewings included lion (pride of 6 on the 19th), hyena, elephant (12 times), rhino (3 times) and buffalo (7 times). Sightings of more common species included hippos, crocs, impala, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe, zebra, warthog and baboons.

March
The viewing highlight for March was that of a cheetah kill an impala on the 30th. The kill was then high-jacked by a leopard which dragged the carcass up a tree approx. opposite chalet 80. While it was eating, an opportunistic hyena appeared on the scene. A pride of 6 lions visited the riverfront on the 20th . Sightings of kudu, elephant, buffalo were reported once every three days on average. Hyena, warthog and giraffe were seen 5 times and as usual impala, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles were seen every day. Other sightings included baboons and vervet monkeys.

April
Viewing highlight for April was a leopard that killed a baboon on the 21st. As usual Impala, waterbuck and crocodiles were seen every day. Hippos also seen almost daily. Sightings of kudu, warthog, giraffe, elephant occurred once every three days on average. Buffalo visited the river 5 times. Other sightings reported included leopard, cheetah, lion, hyena, rhino, baboons and vervet monkeys.

May
The viewing highlight for May was that of a Martial Eagle taking a small Vervet monkey while the troop was drinking water at rivers edge opposite the Ngwenya Restaurant. Our usual river front residents (Impala, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles) were seen every day. Other frequent visitors were warthog and kudu. Elephant and buffalo sightings were common particularly during the latter half of May. elephant (more so during latter half of May). A herd of 11 giraffe came down to drink on the 22nd. Baboons and vervet monkeys were also reported on the floodplain. Hyena were seen six times and rhino came to the river on the 29th May. Goliath Herons, darters, saddlebilled storks, great white egrets & African fish eagles were seen almost daily on the river front.

June
The viewing highlights for June were the leopard sightings (4 separate occasions) and the frequent sightings of buffalo coming down to drink (13 occasions). A herd of approx. 500 came to the river on the 15th June. Elephants were seen six time during June and rhino three times. Giraffe were seen more frequently than in May with a herd of 15 on the river front on the 21st June. Hyena were heard almost every night and actually seen twice from the chalets. Our usual river front residents (Impala, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles) were seen every day

July
Viewing highlights for July were the sightings of lion, leopard, wild dogs, hyena, elephant (11 times) and buffalo (15 times). Frequent visitors to the riverfront were impala, waterbuck, kudu, hippos and crocodiles. The river was also visited by giraffe, baboons and vervet monkeys during July.

August
Viewing highlights for August included the lion kills on the 13th (impala) and 27th (warthog) as well as the leopard with a cub that walked along the river on the 19th and a civet seen on the 13th. Hyena were heard almost every night and seen along the river (and on the property) on a number of occasions. Frequent sightings of buffalo (11 sightings) were logged. Rhino, warthog, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, impala, waterbuck, kudu, bushbuck, vervets and baboons were also seen on the river front and floodplain during August.

September
Viewing highlights for September included a kill by a crocodile on the 28th, a cheetah sighting on the 10th and lion sightings on the 10th and 18th. Hyena were seen 7 times, elephant 10 times and buffalo 7 times. Our usual visitors (impala, waterbuck and kudu) put in their daily appearances. Warthog, giraffe, vervet monkeys and baboons were also reported along the riverfront on a number of occasions.

October
Viewing highlights were the three separate sightings of lions. The pride of 6 lionesses killed a buffalo calf on the night of the 30th. All the action started a few meters from a hide with the buffalo eventually being brought down in front of the restaurant. Buffalo and elephant were seen every two days on average. Other game reported along the river front included hyena, rhino, giraffe, zebra, kudu, waterbuck, impala, warthog, baboons, hippo and crocodiles.

November
November offered up a variety of game sightings such as lion, hyena, buffalo, elephant, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck, impala, warthog, baboons, hippo and crocodiles. November is always a superb birding month. Saddlebilled storks, goliath and purple herons, white faced ducks and fish eagles seen along the river everyday. Perhaps the viewing highlight for the month was the spectacle of tens of thousands of swallows which settled on the floodplain on the morning of Saturday 29th of November. Along with the onset of the first heavy downpour of summer came an interesting variety of frogs. Perhaps the prettiest of all was the painted reed frog.

To view a selection of wildlife photographs taken at Ngwenya Lodge click here

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