August 2020 Wildlife Sightings
The seasons shifted through the course of August. We moved from what felt like bitterly cold winter (in Africa terms) to temperatures that felt like high summer, with a few cloudy days toward the end
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 each month, 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.
The seasons shifted through the course of August. We moved from what felt like bitterly cold winter (in Africa terms) to temperatures that felt like high summer, with a few cloudy days toward the end
In the heart of winter, mornings can be brutally cold, and our guides take the edge off by providing hot water bottles and blankets for our guests going out on morning game drives. The sun
As we head into the heart of winter, temperatures continue to drop, and the bush continues to dry up. The colours showcased in the foliage across Matetsi Private Game Reserve are remarkable. Mornings are crisp,
In May, the water levels in the Zambezi river peaked, and have started to fall. The sausage trees drop their giant pods into the soft mud below. Winter is certainly on its way; the days
As was the case for the whole of mankind, the month of April 2020 was not “business as usual” for us. Though we were fortunate to be isolated from the worst of the troubles, it
Despite December being the beginning of the “Green Season*”, one of our guides noted “Buffalo and Elephants everywhere”. These iconic species were seen in their numbers, and there were numerous lions spotted throughout Matetsi Private
Our seasonal rains started on 2nd November. The sight, sound and smell* of those first rains filled our hearts with joy. Within days the bush started to transform from a dry barren landscape to a
With 15 km of Zambezi River frontage, and 16 strategically placed waterholes, despite another month with no rain, Matetsi Private Game Reserve remains a haven for wildlife in the region and is holding the populations
September started exactly as it intended to go on, with lion sightings. To set the scene, with rainfall being a 3rd of average in some areas regionally, water is scarce, and the bush is generally
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