Guiding Achievements and Bush Highlights
As May draws to a close and the bush begins to settle into its winter rhythm, we take a moment to reflect – not only on the sightings and stories from the field, but also on the people who bring those moments to life.
This month, we shine a light on the guiding team across the concession, celebrating the dedication, growth, and achievements of those who continue to raise the standard in the field. From new guides stepping into their roles to those reaching exciting career milestones, it’s been a rewarding time behind the scenes as well as out in the bush.
With the golden light of winter drives and crisp mornings now setting the tone for each day, we look forward to the season ahead and everything it may bring.
Welcoming New Faces to the Guiding Team
This month, we’re proud to welcome a group of new guides to the Imbali Concession team. Each one brings a fresh perspective, unique strengths, and a deep passion for the bush. Already, they’ve begun making their mark through their knowledge and tracking skills, but in the way they connect with guests and the wilderness alike.
Their enthusiasm is contagious, and their commitment to learning and growing within the team has been truly inspiring. We look forward to watching them thrive as they settle into their new roles across Imbali, Hoyo Hoyo, and Hamilton’s.
To our new team members, welcome to the family.
Hard Work Pays Off – FGASA NQF4 Success
This month, we celebrate a major milestone achieved by some of our guiding team, who have successfully completed their FGASA NQF4 qualification. A result of months of focused study, practical application, and pure determination, this accomplishment is a true reflection of their commitment to guiding at the highest standard.
The NQF4 qualification is no small task – demanding a deep understanding of ecology, animal behaviour, geology, conservation ethics, and guest experience. It’s one of the most important and respected qualifications in the industry, and passing it is both a personal and professional achievement.
To see our team members rise to the challenge and pass with flying colours speaks volumes about the quality and passion within our guiding department. We are incredibly proud of the progress they have made, and we look forward to the experience and knowledge they now bring to every drive, walk, and guest interaction.
This is not only a win for each individual guide, but a step forward for our entire team and the guest experience on the Imbali Concession.
The Wild Unfolds – May Sightings on the Concession
As the last autumn leaves fall and the bush begins to thin out for winter, game viewing across the concession has stepped up a level. Visibility has improved and with it, the chance to witness some incredible animal behaviour.
Predators have been particularly active, with lions continuing to dominate the central areas and leopards taking advantage of quiet corners for hunting and resting. Tracks have led us to thrilling sightings, and the colder mornings have kept movement high well into the daylight hours.
Elephants have been a regular presence, with breeding herds seen crossing open clearings or enjoying long midday stops at the waterholes. Guests have also been treated to special interactions between young calves, full of energy and curiosity.
From dramatic chases to peaceful, golden-hour grazing moments, May has offered up a perfect balance of the raw and the serene out here in the heart of the Kruger.
Shaking the Source – A Bull Elephant and the Torchwood Tree
One of the most memorable elephant sightings this month was watching a large bull approach a Torchwood tree with a clear purpose. With a few powerful shakes, he dislodged the ripening fruit, bringing it to the ground in a natural display of strength, intelligence, and perfect balance.
It was an incredible moment that reminded us just how well elephants understand their environment and how their behaviour plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Elephants are known as keystone species, and for good reason. Their movement, feeding, and dung patterns all help shape the land in remarkable ways.
The Torchwood tree, also known as Balanites Maughamian, produces fruit that is rich in nutrients but well protected by a tough outer layer. For most animals, accessing it would be a challenge but not for an elephant. With his trunk, dexterity, and patience, he was soon enjoying the reward.
What makes the scene even more interesting is how elephants digest that fruit. Elephants have a relatively poor digestive system, with only about 40 percent efficiency. This means that many seeds pass through the gut intact and are deposited far from the parent tree, complete with their own fertiliser.
It’s moments like this that highlight just how interconnected the bush really is. From a tree to a trunk, to a trail of seeds, life continues its quiet cycle in the most fascinating ways.
Among the many feathered treasures we’re privileged to encounter on a drive, few are as striking or as special as the Saddle-billed Stork. Standing tall and statuesque, these elegant birds are a regular but always rewarding sight on the concession, and we’re fortunate to have a few individuals that frequent our waterways
With their bold black-and-white plumage, long red legs, and unmistakable yellow saddle on the bill, these Storks are instantly recognisable. Unlike many other large birds, they are usually seen alone or in pairs rather than in flocks, often quietly foraging in shallow water for fish, frogs, and small reptiles
What makes their presence so noteworthy is their conservation status. Saddle-billed Storks are listed as endangered in South Africa, with habitat loss and disturbance reducing their number.s Their need for large, undisturbed wetlands make sightings within the concession even more meaningful.
Often quiet and deliberate in their movement, they bring a sense of calm and grace to any sighting. A stork standing still in a pool of golden morning light is as unforgettable as any big game encounter
We consider ourselves lucky to share this space with such a rare and iconic species, and every sighting is a quiet reminder of the incredible biodiversity that thrives here.
A Rare Beauty – Saddle-billed Storks of the Concession
Among the many feathered treasures we’re privileged to encounter on a drive, few are as striking or as special as the Saddle-billed Stork. Standing tall and statuesque, these elegant birds are a regular but always rewarding sight on the concession, and we’re fortunate to have a few individuals that frequent our waterways.
With their bold black-and-white plumage, long red legs, and unmistakable yellow saddle on the bill, these Storks are instantly recognisable. Unlike many other large birds, they are usually seen alone or in pairs rather than in flocks, often quietly foraging in shallow water for fish, frogs, and small reptiles.
What makes their presence so noteworthy is their conservation status. Saddle-billed Storks are listed as endangered in South Africa, with habitat loss and disturbance reducing their numbers. Their need for large, undisturbed wetlands makes sightings within the concession even more meaningful.
Often quiet and deliberate in their movement, they bring a sense of calm and grace to any sighting. A stork standing still in a pool of golden morning light is as unforgettable as any big game encounter.
We consider ourselves lucky to share this space with such a rare and iconic species, and every sighting is a quiet reminder of the incredible biodiversity that thrives here.
The Underrated Icons – Impala in the Spotlight
They may be one of the most seen animals on safari, but the impala deserves far more recognition than it often gets. Graceful, alert, and perfectly adapted to life in the Lowveld, this antelope is a cornerstone of the ecosystem.
May has been an excellent month for impala sightings, with large herds gathering in the open clearings, especially in the cooler mornings and late afternoons. The rutting season is still winding down, and the energy among the rams has been high. With loud snorts, strange grunts, and sometimes bizarre popping sounds, the males have been vocal and visible as they compete for dominance.
These fights are all about establishing territory and access to females. The loud noises serve as both warnings and challenges to rivals, helping to reduce serious injury by allowing males to size each other up before a physical confrontation.
Beyond their social drama, impalas play a critical ecological role. Their large numbers provide an important food source for predators, and their selective feeding helps manage vegetation and keep the bush balanced. Their ability to blend into the landscape and react instantly to danger also makes them one of the most alert species in the veld.
Often passed over in search of the Big Five, impala remind us to slow down and appreciate the detail and rhythm of the bush. Their presence means the wilderness is alive, healthy, and working just as it should.
Majestic Giants – The Grace of Kudu
The kudu is one of the most elegant and impressive antelope species roaming the Imbali Concession. With their striking twisted horns and beautifully patterned coats, they capture the imagination of every guest lucky enough to spot them.
May has been a great month for kudu sightings. Particularly in the cooler parts of the day, these tall and shy creatures have been seen moving gracefully through the woodland and rocky outcrops, their large ears twitching at every sound as they stay alert to potential threats.
Kudu bulls use their impressive horns in battles during the rutting season, which peaks around this time. These confrontations are tests of strength and endurance but are usually more about displays than serious injury. The spiral horns also serve as a symbol of maturity and dominance within the herd.
Beyond their striking appearance, kudu play an important role in the ecosystem as browsers, feeding on a wide variety of leaves and shoots. This helps control vegetation growth and maintain the balance between grassland and woodland areas.
Seeing a kudu in the wild is always a special moment. Their quiet dignity and grace remind us of the delicate beauty that exists alongside the more dramatic scenes in the bush.
Bush Whispers and Bone Crushers – Hyenas on the Move
Often misunderstood and too quickly dismissed, hyenas are in fact among the most intelligent, social, and successful predators on the concession. This month has brought with it several fantastic hyena sightings, including individuals trailing lions at a distance or sniffing around active den sites under the cover of early morning mist.
Guests have been lucky to observe classic hyena behaviour, from cautious scavenging to moments of boldness around kills, and even some playful interactions between younger members of a nearby clan. One evening sighting near the river’s edge included the eerie whoops and giggles that give these animals their ghostly reputation.
Far from being just scavengers, hyenas are skilled hunters, working cooperatively and using their stamina and strategy to wear down prey. Their powerful jaws allow them to crush and digest bones, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem in a way no other predator can match.
Their complex social structure and strong female-led hierarchy add another layer of intrigue to their story. With dominant females leading tight-knit clans and younger members learning the rules of the wild early, hyenas are among the most socially advanced mammals in the bush.
Whether seen skulking in the shadows or boldly walking the roads at dawn, hyenas remind us that there is far more to the African night than we often realise.
Spotted Ghosts – The Elusive Leopards of Imbali
There’s a certain silence that falls over the vehicle when a leopard is spotted, a breath held, a glance exchanged, and then the magic begins. May gave us a handful of unforgettable leopard moments: true rewards for patience and sharp-eyed tracking from our guiding team.
These solitary cats continue to remind us why they’re considered the most elusive of the big predators. Often seen just at the edge of thick vegetation or draped across the high branches of a marula tree, their ability to disappear into the bush is nothing short of incredible.
This month, we had a few notable sightings around dry riverbeds and rocky outcrops, where a young male was seen on more than one occasion quietly surveying the area. He’s still finding his rhythm, avoiding dominant males while exploring the reaches of his future territory.
Guests have also been treated to the rare privilege of watching a female leopard stalk impala just before sunset. A low slink through the grass, a pause under the cover of a bush, and a perfectly timed burst of speed. It’s these glimpses into wild instinct that stay with you long after the drive ends.
Leopards are a true symbol of the bush’s mystery, beauty, and quiet strength. Their presence reminds us that even in a place as open as the African savanna, some of the most powerful stories happen in silence.
Roars in the Distance – Lions of the Concession
The sound of lions calling through the night is something that stays with you, and lately those powerful roars have raised more questions than answers. While lion activity has been consistent this month, the dynamics continue to shift and unfold in quiet and dramatic ways.
The Hamiltons’ pride remains split and has not been seen together for some time now. There’s still no confirmed update on the status of the cub, which has left guides and guests alike watching closely for any new signs. What we do know is that the three dominant Hamiltons’ males — still often seen separately or in pairs — continue to patrol the area and assert their presence in the heart of the concession.
Adding to the excitement this month was the Talamati pride, making several appearances along the northern boundary. A thrilling opportunity for guests and an important reminder of how fluid lion territories can be. They brought with them new energy and different dynamics — brief but powerful encounters that gave us all something to talk about around the fire.
As winter creeps in and prey animals begin to congregate more tightly around resources, we expect lion movements to increase. It’s a time of shifting alliances, silent hunts, and the promise of answers — if we’re patient enough to wait for them.
