Recent Big 5 Sightings
Weekly Big Five Sightings 12 October – 18 October 2026
Monday, 12 October 2026 (32°C) Xidulu, the female leopard and her cub stationary on Marikeni Drive. Hlambela, the male leopard stationary in a tree at Nyala Crossing. A pack of African wild dogs consisting of 7 adults and 6 pups stationary at Rubbing Post Dam....
Weekly Big Five Sightings 05-11 October
Monday, 05 October 2026 (29°C) Makhomsava, the female leopard was mobile south from Big Dam Link South. Tiyani, the female leopard mobile east from Elephant Plains flood plains. A breeding herd of ten elephants mobile south from Sherley’s Open. Tuesday, 06...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 28 Sep – 4 Oct 2026
Monday, 28 September 2026 (21°C) Tortoise Pan, the male leopard drinking at Big Dam. A breeding herd of 25 elephants swimming and chasing hippos at Big Dam. A breeding herd of 35 elephants feeding around Nyati Road. Tuesday, 29 September 2026 (16°C) One Nkuhuma...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 21-27 September 2026
Monday, 21 September 2026 (29°C) Tortoise Pan, the male leopard feeding on an Nyala kill, south of Ntoma Crossing. A breeding herd of elephants feeding along Gowrie Main/Leadwood junction. Six hyenas feeding on the remains of Nyala carcass at Rampan. A breeding herd...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 14-20 September 2026
Monday, 14 September 2026 (32°C) Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile south on MMM. The seven Nkuhuma lioness with thirteen cubs and one Ndzenga male lion, resting on Seepline East. One elephant bull, feeding on Wetpatch Road. Six Nkuhuma lioness with thirteen cubs...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 7 – 13 September 2026
Monday, 7 September 2026 (16°C, 8mm Rain) The Nkuhuma pride consisting of seven lioness and 13 cubs stationary on Parallel North. Tuesday, 8 September 2026 (19°C, 2mm Rain) A pack of seven African wild dogs mobile North from Guarrie Central. Mahlowasi, the...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 31 August – 6 September 2026
Monday, 31 August 2026 (30°C) The Nkuhuma pride of lions consisting of six lioness, ten cubs and the two Ndzhenga males, hunting cape buffalo West of Track South. A breeding herd of approximately 300 cape buffalo mobile South along 15th Makhomsava, the female leopard...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 24 August – 30 August 2026
Monday, 24 August 2026 (24°C) One Ndzhenga male lion stationary on Track South. Makhomsava, the female leopard mobile South on Leopard Drift. Tortoise Pan, the male leopard mobile West from Safari Donga South. One Nkuhuma lioness at the den site with three cubs West...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 17th August – 23rd August 2026
Monday, 17 August 2026 (27°C) Seven Nkuhuma lioness and ten cubs with one Ndzenga male lion, resting at the junction of Parallel and Zebra drive. Herd of roughly 20 elephants, feeding around Kraainess Open. Hlambela, the male leopard, feeding on an impala ewe carcass,...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 10-16 August 2026
Monday, 10 August 2026 (22°C) Tiyani, the female leopard chased Mahlowasi, the female leopard of a bush buck kill at Ntoma crossing. Timbavati, the male leopard was mating with an unknown female leopard at Hardekoel Open. Tiyani, the female leopard feeding on an...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 3 August – 9 August 2026
Monday, 3 August 2026 (22°C) Kambula Breakaway pride consisting of two lioness and five sub adults, mobile East from Leeukuil Pan. A pack of three African wild dogs mobile North on Marula Belt North. Xidulu, the female leopards two cubs, static on a termite...
Weekly Big Five Sightings 27 July – 2 August 2026
Monday, 27 July 2026 (27°C) Tiyani, the female leopard. Stationary at Simbambili Dam. A pack of eight African Wild Dogs mobile east from Simbambili Dam. One Ndzhenga male lion, mobile from Arathusa Safari Airport link toward Magic Willie. Three elephant bulls feeding...
Latest News
December Trumpet 2023
Main Photo: Wild Dogs by Jordan Delvecchio As we gather our thoughts to bid farewell to the sun-soaked days and star-studded nights of another transformative year, the pages of Elephant Plains Game Lodge's story unfold before us. Our journey through 2023 has been an...
September Trumpet 2023
Spring is in the air and with it comes a delightful burst of colour, energy and new growth! Not only in the surrounding bush, but also at the lodge itself. There have been so many projects and exciting developments during these past few months. What better way to...
The Oxpecker
AuthorIt’s an Oxpecker life!Have you ever seen little birds on an animal before and wondered what kind of birds it was, why they were there, or what they were busy doing? Also, what impact does it have on the animal it sits on?What are oxpeckers?Oxpeckers are birds...
Veld Types at Elephant Plains
AuthorSweetveld, sourveld and mixed-veldIn the Lowveld, where Elephant Plains is situated, you get a wide variety of different grass species. They all have different tastes and different nutritional values and some grasses prefer different soils to grow in. Due to...
Kaizer Malapane
Kaizer Malapane has long since been a part of the EP family. Firstly, years ago as a Tracker, and since 2020 a part of our Ranger team
The Marula Tree
The beautiful Marula Tree, called the “tree of love” by locals, is a rather big and impressive tree. It provides large amounts of shade
From the Kitchen
Nutella Cheesecake Recipe
Sounds indulgent? That would be because it is. This cake is not for faint hearts and weak arteries. It’s for serious Nutella lovers only!
Chocolate Swiss Roll
Who wouldn’t want to dig into this soft, delicious cake? Spoil your guest by serving them this chocolate roll for dessert
Grilled Lamb Shoulder with Rice and Sauce
This tender and flavorful Lamb Shoulder will melt in your mouth and will make any meat eater’s dreams come true
Pumpkin Fritters
Light, Fluffy Pumpkin Fritters (pampoenkoekies) with caramel sauce. Nostalgia on a plate that will become a family favourite in no time!
Waldorf Salad
Get ready for summer with this incredibly refreshing salad. The kids will love the fruitiness of this salad
Hearty Beef Stew
Climb into the hearts of your guest by serving them this Beef Stew. This delicious stew is perfect for any day of the year!
Orange Pudding
Surprise your guest this winter with a delightful citrus dessert. It won’t be the last time you make this pudding!
Vegetable Pasta Alfredo
Let this soft and creamy pasta, with its exploding flavour of ingredients, melt straight into your mouth with every bite
Springbok Carpaccio
Try something enticing and wild! You are sure to be surprised by this snack/starter and how much you like it