February was a treat for leopard lovers, with frequent sightings of Makomsava and her cubs. The little ones are growing fast and look to be in excellent health. Makomsava has been introducing them to the art of survival, leading them to several of her kills – valuable lessons for their future independence.
When it comes to the bush, no two months are ever the same. February brought a wealth of incredible sightings at Silvan Safari, and we have our expert guides, Marius and Elias, to thank for sharing their firsthand reports. From elusive leopards to roaming lions, playful elephant calves to stealthy wild dogs, the bush has been alive with movement, drama, and the raw beauty of nature. Here's a look at what we saw this past month.
![An elephant stands near the water's edge in Sabi Sands, surrounded by lush greenery. The elephant is facing the viewer with its trunk raised, capturing the serene atmosphere of the scene.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E "Elephant Sabi Sands Near Water")
February was full of extraordinary wildlife moments, Image Credit: Marius Zeilinga
Leopards
February was a treat for leopard lovers, with frequent sightings of Makomsava and her cubs. The little ones are growing fast and look to be in excellent health. Makomsava has been introducing them to the art of survival, leading them to several of her kills – valuable lessons for their future independence.
TP needs to work on his parenting technique, Image Credit: Marius Zeilinga
Tiyani has been spotted around Shirley's Crossing, where we suspect she keeps her new cubs hidden well. Although we haven't seen them, there is evidence that she is still nursing.
The Hlambela male has been on patrol in our area, along with Kuchava and a few others, though some were only seen briefly, making identification tricky.
Lions
The Nkuhuma Pride have been covering all corners of their territory. While we haven't caught them in the act of a feast, their full bellies indicate they're dining well. We had a fantastic sighting of them drinking and hunting near the Serengeti open area, not far from Silvan.
A Nkuhuma lioness taking a much-needed rest with her full belly, Image Credit: Marius Zeilinga
This pride is a relatively new presence in our area, and they've been making themselves at home on the eastern edges of Nkuhuma territory. Their increasing presence hints at potential territorial shifts – something we'll be keeping a close eye on.
The Torchwood Pride may cause territorial shifts soon, Image Credit: Marius Zeilinga
The ongoing rivalry between the Nkambula and Mathimahle males continues, with both coalitions actively scent-marking in the area. We also had a brief visit from three young males from the Avoca Pride, though they didn't linger for long, merely passing through.
Elephants
Herds of elephants have been delighting us with their presence, particularly around the many water and mud pools still abundant in the area. With marula season in full swing, we've witnessed numerous elephants feasting on the fallen fruits. Several large bulls have also made their presence known as they move through the landscape.
Wild dogs are always a welcome sighting around Silvan, Image Credit: Marius Zeilinga
Other Notable Sightings
The hyena den has been particularly active, with three new cubs bringing a playful energy to the clan. Giraffes have been seen browsing on acacia trees around Silvan Safari. And our evening game drives have yielded numerous sightings of genets, various owl species, and even a few well-camouflaged chameleons.
An African Scops Owl perches on a branch at night, its striking orange eyes glowing against the darkness. The owl's intricate feather patterns are visible in the limited light.
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