February Sightings at Silvan Safari

Paw prints pepper Silvan Safari's sand-tracked paths – broad pads beside smaller, fresher impressions that hint at what's still to come. February belonged to the big cats. With the bush settling back into routine after the heavy rainfall, the land has felt richly abundant, and our sightings have followed suit. Here's what stood out for the team this month.

Lions

It's a prosperous season for the lions of the Sabi Sand. With ample water and abundant prey, the Nkuhuma Pride continues to thrive. Their cubs are growing fast – playful bundles of energy exploring their world under their mothers' watchful eyes.

The Ndzenga males are still steadfast in their patrols, asserting their dominance with steady confidence. Aside from a brief stir caused by the Plains Camp and Gijima males, their reign remains unchallenged, and peace prevails across their territory.

Leopards

The leopards have been a true highlight this month, their movements and stories unfolding across the reserve in captivating fashion. Langa has begun to re-mark her territory, shifting ever closer to Silvan. Her cubs mirror her confidence, growing stronger each week as they explore their new home.

Tiyani and her cub have also been spending more time around the lodge. Several kills nearby have betrayed their presence – often first revealed by the frantic alarm calls of monkeys as she glides silently through the bush.

Further afield, the Sibuyi female has been seen tenderly caring for her cub, embodying the patience and protection that make her such a devoted mother. Meanwhile, Makhomsava appears to be on the brink of motherhood, scouting discreet thickets for a safe den. Her rounded belly leaves little doubt that we'll soon be welcoming her newest arrival – perhaps even within reach of Silvan itself.

And the excitement doesn't stop there. To the north, Tlalamba was spotted mating with the Tortoise Pan male, suggesting we may soon see the next chapter of his proud lineage begin. The male himself has been a consistent presence throughout February, seen almost daily on patrol. Kuchava, Rhulani, and Xipoko have also made regular appearances along the edges of our traverse, rounding off what has been a remarkable month for leopard sightings.

Elephant

In the aftermath of the heavy rains, elephants have been regularly seen, including large herds and bulls with sizeable tusks.

Rhino

Similarly, the rhinos in our region have been taking full advantage of the wetter months, making the most of every opportunity to enjoy a good wallow. We've been fortunate to witness some wonderful family dynamics of crashes, as well as a fair few bulls looking to secure territories of their own.

African Wild Dog

Sightings of wild dog packs brightened February. Packs have been recorded in three sectors of our traverse area, with some moving close to Silvan. These are always treated as special moments, as their wide range and rapid movement make encounters rare and unpredictable.

Hyena

Our resident hyena clan seems to be facing a series of incursions into their territory over the last month. A rival clan from further south in the Sabi Sand has been actively pushing the boundaries of our local clan's domain, aggressively scent-marking and exhibiting behaviour that suggests that they plan on moving in. Time will tell whether there will be a standoff for dominance.

Buffalo

Buffalo sightings were scarce in February, with only a handful of guests bearing witness to them. But with the shift of the seasons upon us, we're expecting more herds to return to our side.

An Ode to Summer

As the green season begins to taper, we're enjoying the lingering richness of summer while anticipating the clarity of the drier months ahead.

Join us at Silvan to experience the season's changing rhythms – and the sightings that come with them.