Wildlife Report: Summer 2022-23 (November – January)
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with summer.”
Each week our guiding team compile sightings reports that detail which animals and birds they have observed while out on safari with guests or on anti-poaching patrols on Matetsi Private Game Reserve. And every season, we do a summarised write up of these, featuring photos and anecdotal contributions from our team and our guests.
Over the years it’s been wonderful to see the return of wildlife to the area, evidenced in these reports. This marked increase in wildlife populations and species is living proof that our on-going conservation efforts are having a profoundly positive effect in the area.
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with summer.”
Spring is a time of change at Matetsi Private Game Reserve, as winter begins to loosen its grip on the landscape and the new season brings with it life-giving rains, steadily rising temperatures and the
Sitting down to write this report at the beginning of August, we find winter in its final throes here in Zimbabwe; the days are starting to get just a little bit longer but it remains
The more time we spend in nature, the more we see, the more we experience and the more we understand, and so we become in tune with our natural surroundings. April, May and June all
We started the year with our wildlife sightings reports as we do NOT mean to go on. Please consider forgiving the “author” for the tardiness, and that to ensure that we have January, February and
Many gifts this festive season came in the form of wonderful wildlife sightings of all different shapes and sizes, everything from leopard in a tree with a sub-adult cub close by, through to a magnificently
The early rains in October and continued intermittent showers throughout this month, meant that November was officially the start of the green season, reflected in the lush look of the photography in this month’s sightings
The intense heat in early October was followed by a couple of weeks with some unexpected (but very much appreciated) early rain, which took the edge of the heat and brought fresh green shoots to
Our corner of the world doesn’t follow the classic seasons. Winter isn’t followed by Spring. We leap from a cold dry winter to hot dry summer and look to the skies in anticipation of the
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Sara Ellis is an incredibly dedicated and hard working member of our Matetsi family. Having been our Head Pastry Chef for over four years, Sara transitioned to her role of Quality Assurance Manager in early 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience and an unparalleled attention to detail. Sara works primarily behind the scenes, supporting all departments to ensure that the Matetsi Magic shines through brightly in every one of our guest’s stays with us.
Sara holds a Cordons Bleus Grande Diploma from Silwood School of Cookery, Cape Town, and has worked at some exceptional Southern African establishments, including Ellerman House and Singita Pamushana, as well as on private yachts.
Sara is mother to two wonderful boys, wife of our Executive Chef, Shane Ellis, and an individual who shows great commitment not just to Matetsi Victoria Falls, but also to our local community in many ways, including standing on the Parents’ Association and driving fundraising initiatives for a local primary school.