Written by Isaiah Banda
The Bush Comes Alive After the First Rains
November has been filled with a special kind of bush magic as the first rain brought new life across the reserve. More than 100mm of rain forced the fresh growth to push through dry soil, migrant birds returned, and wildlife responded with renewed energy.
Each sunrise painted the plains with soft summer colours, while sunsets offered golden views perfect for unforgettable coffee stops and sundowner moments. November has been nothing short of spectacular.
November gifted us breathtaking wildlife sightings. Lions followed the shifting herds of zebras and wildebeest, while elephants enjoyed lush northern vegetation, cheetahs established new territories, and general games flourished across the transformed plains. As you read through this newsletter, we invite you to relive the magic and excitement that made November an unforgettable chapter here at Mabula.
Kings of the Plains, Lions Take Over the Serengeti Grasslands
Lions has been exceptionally active this month, covering vast areas of the reserve as they followed the zebra and wildebeest herds moving onto the revitalized Serengeti Plains. With the first rains bringing fresh green growth, prey species concentrated in these areas, and the lions took full advantage.
Guests were treated to thrilling sightings of lions patrolling, stalking, and resting in perfect open view. Controlled burns earlier this season played a key role in improving hunting conditions. Fire clears old grass, allowing new, nutrient-rich shoots to flourish. These new patches draw grazers, and naturally, the lions followed.
Pride made several successful kills this month, it was the highlights to watch. Morning safaris showcased lions still feeding on their nighttime kills, while evenings brought that heart-stopping moment of anticipation as lions positioned themselves for yet another hunt.
One of the most memorable lion moments was when our dominant male, who decided to give guests a rare and fascinating performance, the flehmen display. This behaviour, often misunderstood, is when a lion curls back his upper lip, opens his mouth slightly, and inhales deeply to analyse scents in the air.
It may look comical or intimidating, but it is in fact an advanced biological tool used to detect reproductive signals, territorial cues, and subtle chemical messages left by other lions. On this particular morning, guests watched in awe as the dominant male paused along the Serengeti Plains, lifted his head, and began the display with complete focus.
The warm air carried the scent of lionesses that had moved through the area earlier that night, and the male was clearly interpreting these signals. His powerful body stood tall and still, mane glowing in the soft golden light, as he processed the information through the Jacobson’s organ located on the roof of his mouth. For many guests, this was the first time witnessing this unique behaviour, a true wildlife privilege.
The moment became even more exciting when he began vocalising softly afterward, sending deep, rolling rumbles across the plains. It was as if he wanted to announce his presence and reaffirm his dominance in the area. This intimate interaction offered guests not only a behavioural lesson but also an emotional connection to lion society.
The lions delivered unforgettable encounters this month, roaring at dusk, grooming one another in golden light, and moving confidently across their territory. These rare moments remind us that the bush is alive with stories, communication, and instinct, and witnessing them firsthand is what makes Mabula’s safaris unforgettable. Their presence remains a powerful reminder of why Mabula is one of South Africa’s most incredible safari destinations.
A Month of Unforgettable Elephant Encounters
Elephants dominated the northern parts of the reserve throughout November, especially around Modjadji. The first rain brought fresh vegetation, and elephants took full advantage of the lush browse and soft new vegetations.
Surprisingly, the herds remained in the area for much longer than usual, providing daily, relaxed and intimate sightings. Guests enjoyed peaceful scenes of family groups feeding, calves learning to use their trunks, and older elephants guiding younger ones.
Modjadji became a hotspot, with elephants using its drainage lines, valleys, and soft-feeding areas extensively. Elephants play a powerful ecological role. In winter they browse heavily, stripping bark, breaking branches, and opening vegetation.
In summer they shift to grazing on soft, fresh grasses, helping maintain a natural balance between shrubs and grasslands. From mud baths to long-distance rumbles and dramatic herd crossings, elephants gave guests unforgettable moments this November.
Their intelligence, communication, and gentle interactions remain some of the most moving scenes on safari.
New Spots, New Stories and The Rise of Mabula’s Cheetah Coalition
The introduction of four new cheetahs, a coalition of two males and two females, has brought fresh excitement and renewed predator diversity to Mabula. These cheetahs settled remarkably well and quickly established territories across the reserve.
The males displayed confident territorial behavior while the females explored drainage lines, open plains, and ideal hunting grounds. Multiple mating interactions were observed this month, raising hopes that we may see cheetah cubs soon. Their integration marks an important milestone in Mabula’s long-term conservation planning.
Cheetah sightings have been spectacular. Guests witnessed the coalition on patrol, females scanning open plains for prey, and multiple successful hunts. The highlight of the month occurred at Shaya Moya breakfast venue, where the coalition brought down a wildebeest right in front of astonished guests enjoying breakfast, an unforgettable moment.
The presence of these cheetahs has already shifted predator dynamics on the reserve. Brown hyenas respond cautiously, and prey remain alert. This dynamic ecosystem reflects a healthy and balanced environment.
The month proved that carefully planned wildlife introductions can reshape the experience for guides and guests alike. These cheetahs have already become a cherished part of Mabula’s identity.
Elands in Abundance, A New Generation Graces Mabula’s Plains
The month brought one of the most remarkable eland sightings Mabula has seen in over two decades, a massive herd of more than 50 individuals, including newborn calves. Known for their shy nature, Eland typically flees at the sight of vehicles, but this month they appeared relaxed and calm, offering rare, prolonged viewing.
The herd moved gracefully between Long Winding Plains, Reginald Plains, and Rainmeter Plains, taking advantage of the fresh summer grazing. The early rains created ideal feeding conditions, with nutrient-rich grasses flourishing across the plains. Eland are important ecological contributors. As mixed feeders, they browse more in winter and graze heavily in summer, helping maintain a healthy balance of vegetation. Their flexibility supports landscape diversity and prevents overgrowth.
The sight of calves running beside their mothers, young bulls testing their strength, and herds resting in open spaces brought a gentle beauty to the reserve this month. One of the most intriguing behaviours witnessed this month among the eland herds was the flehmen response performed by several bulls.
Guests were delighted to see these usually shy antelope stepping into full courtship mode, lifting their heads, curling their lips, and inhaling deeply as they analyzed chemical cues left by the females. This behavior helps bulls detect whether a cow is entering estrus, allowing them to time their breeding efforts with precision. Seeing such a large herd engaged in this behavior was a rare treat, especially given how quietly eland normally conduct their social interactions.
The intensity of the bulls’ behavior grew as more males picked up the scent. At one point, it even appeared as though the bulls were competing to be the first to identify which cow was receptive, each one circling the group, testing scents, and occasionally posturing at one another.
Their normally calm demeanor gave way to short bursts of tension as the males sized each other up, showing off their impressive neck muscles and quietly asserting dominance. Although elands are not aggressive by nature, these subtle displays revealed the hidden dynamics within their social structure. For guests and guides, this was a beautiful demonstration of the complex communication that happens within antelope herds, often unnoticed from a distance.
The combination of relaxed grazing, playful calves, and bulls demonstrating flehmen behavior created a layered and fascinating wildlife scene. Not only did it showcase the healthy state of the eland population on Mabula, but it also offered a rare glimpse into their breeding behavior, a reminder of how much richness and depth exists in even the quietest moments on the plains.
Buffalo Boom, Spectacular Sightings on Mabula’s Green Plains
Buffalo sightings were exceptional. Typically, buffalo herds split into smaller groups during this season due to abundant grazing, but this year guests enjoyed consistent and high-quality sightings across the reserve.
The freshly burned areas, revived by early rains, produced nutrient-rich new shoots that acted as a magnet for large buffalo groups. Guests enjoyed breathtaking scenes of herds grazing through green patches, dust clouds rising behind them.
The dynamic inter-herd behavior added to the excitement, dominant bulls asserting their presence, calves staying close to protective cows, and defensive group formations when alarm-called birds sounded warnings.
As bulk grazers, buffalo help maintain grassland structure and enrich soil, supporting ecosystem health. Seeing them thrive in such numbers is a sign of excellent habitat condition. One of the most fascinating aspects of buffalo behaviours is just how water-dependent they are. Unlike many other herbivores that can go for days without drinking, buffaloes need access to water every single day.
For this reason, they rarely move far from permanent water sources. Even when grazing is abundant, they typically feed within a few kilometers of water, ensuring they can return to drinking as a herd. This dependency means that their movement patterns are strongly shaped by water availability, something guests can clearly see at Mabula as herds rotate through dams, pans, and riverbeds throughout the day.
Buffaloes are primarily grazers, feeding on coarse tall grasses that many other animals avoid. Their powerful tongues and wide muzzles allow them to mow through dense grass with ease. However, they are more adaptable than many guests realize. During the dry winter months, when grass becomes scarce or less nutritious, buffaloes will shift to browsing, feeding on shrubs and small trees to supplement their diet.
This ability to switch feeding strategies is part of what allows them to thrive through seasonal changes, and guests visiting in different months can witness this shift firsthand on safari. Buffalo calves add a heartwarming touch to every sighting. Unlike many antelope species, whose calves hide motionless in the grass during their early days, buffalo calves stay close to their mothers within the safety of the herd.
They suckle regularly, standing beneath their mother’s belly, and rely on her protection as well as the herd’s defensive formation. Watching a small calf search for a comfortable position to drink, wiggling its way under its mother, is a moment that brings joy to every guest. Their feeding method also highlights the strong maternal bond buffalo cows maintain, one of the many reasons these animals are fascinating to observe.
Hippos Enjoying the Rains
Another unexpected highlight this month came from the hippos, who surprised guests by venturing out of the water during the day, something rarely seen on safari. Hippos usually remain submerged in water throughout daylight hours to keep their skin cool and protected from the sun.
But with the arrival of the first rains, the landscape cooled beautifully, the soil softened, and the air carried a refreshing humidity. This created the perfect opportunity for hippos to take advantage of the damp conditions and explore the plains with far more freedom than usual. On several drives, guests were thrilled to see hippos strolling comfortably across open areas, grazing on the new green shoots sprouting after the rain.
Their massive bodies glistened with moisture, and they appeared unusually relaxed, enjoying the softened ground and the abundance of young grass. For many guests, it was their first time seeing a hippo so far from water in daylight, a rare and memorable treat that added excitement to November’s general game activity.
These sightings offered a beautiful reminder of how dramatically the bush changes after the rain. Animals behave differently, adapt quickly, and reveal unique aspects of their natural behaviours that we seldom witness. The hippos’ daytime wanderings were a perfect example of this seasonal transformation, making them one of the surprise favorites in this month’s general game highlights.
Masters of the Skies: November’s Raptors and Scavengers Take the Spotlight
The skies above Mabula were equally alive this November, with some of our most impressive and charismatic birds of prey making unforgettable appearances. One of the standout sightings came from the Marabou Stork, often nicknamed the “undertaker bird” for its dark cloak-like feathers and slow, deliberate walk.
Although sometimes overlooked due to its unusual appearance, this bird plays a crucial ecological role on the reserve by cleaning up carcasses and leftover scraps that could otherwise spread disease. Guests were fascinated to watch Marabou Storks patrol feeding sites after lions and hyenas had finished, showcasing nature’s perfectly balanced clean-up crew.
Adding to the aerial excitement were the were the visitors, White-backed Vultures, which soared effortlessly on warm thermals throughout the month. These highly social birds have an incredible ability to spot potential food sources from kilometers away. Their circling above the plains often acted as a signal to guides that a predator interaction or carcass might be nearby.
With their species listed as endangered across much of Africa, seeing them visiting Mabula in big numbers at Mabula is not only exciting for guests but also a positive indicator soon we will have them settling permanently on the reserve. Although they look similar and share the same ecological role, Old World vultures like the White-backed Vultures and New World vultures, like those found in the Americas, are not closely related at all.
Old World vultures rely primarily on excellent eyesight to locate carcasses from great distances, often soaring high above the plains to scan for potential food. New World vultures, on the other hand, have a highly developed sense of smell, allowing them to detect carrion hidden under forest canopies or dense vegetation, a skill Old World species lack.
Another key difference is that some New World vultures, such as the turkey vulture, have nostrils you can see straight through, while Old World vultures do not. So, while both groups are vital scavengers, they evolved separately on different continents, each perfectly adapted to the environment they call home.
No bird completed sky story like the Bateleur Eagle. With its striking black-and-chestnut plumage and distinctive rocking flight, this iconic raptor quickly became a guest favorite. Bateleurs are known for covering vast distances each day while scanning the ground for prey or carrion.
Their ability to locate food long before other scavengers arrive is legendary, thanks to their extraordinary eyesight. On several drives, guests were treated to breathtaking low-level flights as Bateleurs glided effortlessly across the reserve, showcasing their beauty and mastery of the skies.
Life on the Plains: General Game Steals the Spotlight
While the high-profile species drew much attention, the general game across Mabula was equally impressive this month. The plains were alive with movement, impala, zebra, wildebeest, red hartebeest, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe, blesbok, and more formed vibrant scenes across the reserve.
Large mixed herds grazed peacefully in rejuvenated plains, creating dramatic, classical Mabula landscapes. Calves bounced energetically beside their mothers, and dominant males showcased territorial displays. Even the shy leopard tortoise made multiple appearances, effortlessly charming guests. A sign of showing that a rain has finally arrived.
The harmony of plains, predators, and birds made November a breathtaking month, filled with diversity and natural beauty.
Until the Next Safari Drive, November’s Magic Lives on at Mabula
As we conclude the month of November, we celebrate a period filled with wildlife wonder, breathtaking sightings, and incredible moments shared with our guests. From peaceful morning coffee stops to golden-hued sundowners, each day offered magical experiences.
Guests were treated to exceptional hospitality, with delicious meals prepared by our talented chefs after each safari. These moments of relaxation, reflection, and story sharing are part of what makes the Mabula experience unforgettable. For our guiding team, the true reward is witnessing the joy and awe of our guests. This month reminded us why we love the bush and why we take pride in sharing its beauty with you.
On a personal note, one of the greatest honors of my guiding career, the unexpected call inviting me to join WildEarth as a Naturalist for live broadcasts. It was an experience I will treasure forever. Thank you, WildEarth, for believing in me.
As we step into December, we carry forward the inspiration, gratitude, and excitement that November shared with us. Thank you for being part of the Mabula journey. Out here, where the plains stretch endless and the wild speaks softly, we are reminded to live fully, explore boldly, and cherish every moment nature shares with us.”
From
Isaiah Banda & Mabula family.