It’s hard to believe the 2024 season is over – time really has flown by! As we start packing up camp for the rainy season, we’ve been reflecting on some of our highlights from the past eight months. From new offerings and unforgettable wildlife sightings to delightful guest and team/behind-the-scenes experiences, we think this season at Kavinga has been pretty incredible.
Bird hide magic
As many of you will know, one of the biggest changes to the camp this year was the addition of our new bird hide, located near the main dining area. When we first built it, we were excited about its potential – but we never anticipated just how extraordinary the sightings would be.
Aside from a variety of birds coming to drink, plenty of animals have also frequented it, including lions, leopards, hyenas and elephants. Although it takes a bit of patience (and a few late nights) our guests and team have been treated to some truly remarkable close-up encounters from the hide. Here are some of our favourite photographs taken from the bird hide this year.
Cubs, cubs, and more cubs
This has been a season of new beginnings, with an abundance of cubs being born on the concession. One of the stand-out moments, shared by our head guide Dylan, was tracking Poppy the leopard on foot, only to discover her cubs in their den. He was able to sit quietly and watch as the cubs explored their surroundings in the golden sunset light, which added to the magic of the moment. It was especially poignant for Dylan, who has a long history with Poppy dating back to when she was a cub.
Sadly, we have no evidence to suggest any of Poppy’s cubs survived – a stark reminder of the harsh realities of life in the bush. But we remain hopeful for the future. Ushingi’s cub, Pounce, has been doing well, and we’ve recently spotted Poppy mating with Apollo, our big resident male leopard, so perhaps we’ll see more leopard cubs in the new year.
Meanwhile, the Kavinga lion pride currently has seven playful cubs. Slit Ear’s four cubs are roughly five months old, while Cinnamon’s Mom’s (yes, her name is a mouthful!) cubs are just over two months. For Methuli, one of our learner guides, seeing the cubs from such a young age has been one of his season’s highlights.
Unexpected encounters and wild moments
For many of our guests, the wildness of Kavinga is both exhilarating and humbling. Orbert, one of our learner guides, had a memorable (and slightly amusing) experience early in the season when he got a little lost on one of his first drives. In true safari style, he had to improvise and create a brand new sundowner spot, deep in the concession. The guests didn’t mind at all, especially since they had just witnessed their first lion sighting in the wild!
Our other learner guide Nash has also had his fair share of memorable moments, but one stands out in particular – when a guest experienced the true wildness of Kavinga firsthand as a pride of lions strolled through camp. As Nash puts it, there’s something truly awe-inspiring about seeing a lion up close, whether you’re in the hide or on foot, compared to from the safety of a vehicle.
The unsung heroes: our camp team
Of course, the incredible wildlife and unforgettable moments wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of our behind-the-scenes team. Our kitchen crew, including Owen, Kuda, Silas and Tom, have been a vital part of making this season a success. Their teamwork and passion for what they do really shine through in the delicious meals they serve up daily.
The housekeeping team also has their work cut out for them, always staying alert and tuned into the surroundings as they move between rooms for cleaning and turn-down. Charles, for example, had to wait for over an hour at one of the rooms this week as a pride of lions decided to rest right under the deck!
And it’s not just the animals that make the experience special – our staff love interacting with guests from all around the world. Godfrey shared how much he’s enjoyed meeting so many new people this year and how it’s been a highlight to connect with guests from different cultures and backgrounds.
A heartfelt thank you
As the season draws to a close, we want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us on safari this year. Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and appreciation for the bush have made this season unforgettable. And, of course, a massive thank you to our incredible team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make Kavinga the special place it is. We can’t wait to welcome you back next season for even more wild adventures.
Until then, here’s to the amazing memories of this season, and to the many more to come.