1 May 2025
April 2025 at Tomo Safari Lodge
April has brought with it a quiet shift in rhythm. The humidity of summer has finally let go, giving way to crisp mornings, golden afternoons, and the kind of light that makes everything feel a little more cinematic. The marula trees have lost their fruit, the bush is thinning, and there’s a rustle in the air that says winter is on its way.
The cooler evenings are starting to nudge us toward the fireside, while the days are still warm enough for comfortable drives without the weight of heavy jackets. The landscape is changing colour—subtle amber tones creeping through the foliage, making the sunsets feel deeper, richer, and longer.
And with the shift in seasons has come an incredible run of sightings.
One of the highlights this month has been the hyena den. We’ve been fortunate to witness a new litter of cubs—tiny, charcoal-furred creatures with oversized ears and endless curiosity. They’re still shy, darting behind their mother at the first sign of movement, but each day they seem a little bolder. With any luck, we’ll be able to capture some great footage as they grow into their mischief.
Leopard sightings continue to impress. It’s not unusual for us to see three different individuals in a single week—sometimes even in a single drive. Their grace never gets old, and watching them move through the golden grass with effortless precision is something that always stops us in our tracks.
Our resident lion cubs are thriving. They’ve reached that charming in-between stage—brimming with attitude and a bit too eager to join the adults, even if they’re not quite ready for the responsibilities of pride life. It’s a joy to watch them learning through play, mimicking the adults with clumsy pounces and serious expressions that don’t quite land.
The African wild cat we’ve been following is still making appearances. She’s recovered from an eye injury, and although she now hunts with one eye, she’s shown incredible resilience. More and more, she seems to trust our presence, allowing us rare glimpses into her quiet, solitary world.
Ezulwini, our long-time elephant companion, remains a steady presence—calm, powerful, and majestic in the way only elephants can be. Watching him appear silently between the trees still sends a shiver down the spine, no matter how many times we’ve seen it.
The bush feels alive in a different way now—slower, more deliberate, but no less magical. The noise of summer has faded, leaving space to hear the quiet things: the whisper of wind in dry grass, the distant call of jackals at dusk, the low rumbles between elephants when they think no one is listening.
This is Tomo in April—still wild, still full of surprises, and as always, a place where we’re grateful to spend our days.
– Gareth Williams
1 April 2025
March 2025 at Tomo Safari Lodge
Grass Has Changed Colour. The seasons are changing. The rains have slowed down, and the evenings are cooler. Winter is fast approaching, and this is when the magic starts in the bush. As the vegetation thins, animals gather at the waterholes, and the sunsets become sharper.
We’ve had to work hard this season to deliver the best sightings—good rains mean the animals are more scattered—but thankfully, Tomo delivers. We’ve had some incredible sightings, including phenomenal wild dog activity. Watching them move with precision, energy, and teamwork never gets old.
A new young female leopard, Mwedzi, has been showing up. She’s still a little nervous around vehicles, but we’re giving her space and time, hoping she will soon offer us the same spectacular sightings as Twin Spot.
One of the standout surprises this month has been the sheer number of butterflies. They are everywhere—flashes of colour in all shapes and sizes, putting on a show for anyone who appreciates the smaller details of the bush.
We’ve also had the return of the great Ezulwini for the dry season. His presence is always a highlight—his sheer size and impressive tusks are worth every second of a sighting.
The lion cubs are growing fast, and the pride is thriving. The zebra herd continues to grow, and birding has been fantastic. The changing season has brought some remarkable sightings, from migratory species passing through to raptors taking advantage of the thinning bush.
Another exciting addition to our sightings has been an African Wild Cat that we are starting to see more frequently. She’s been entertaining to watch—stalking through the grass, pouncing on mice, and showing off the skills.
With the bush constantly shifting and surprising us, each drive brings a new story. From the quiet moments to the adrenaline-filled sightings, it’s a privilege to share it all with those who join us out here.
– Gareth & Josh
1 March 2025
February 2025 at Tomo Safari Lodge
February has been a month of transformation at Tomo. With the rains settling in, the landscape has become lush and vibrant, setting the stage for remarkable wildlife sightings, abundant fresh vegetation, and bursts of colour across the reserve.
Leopards Stealing the Show
Leopard activity has been outstanding. Gareth observed a young male confidently navigating the bush, eventually disappearing into the sunset—one of those rare and unforgettable moments. A female leopard and her cub were spotted in a tree with a fresh kill, while Twin Spot has made several appearances, much to the delight of our guests.
Buffalo, Elephants & a Crocodile Sighting
Buffalo herds have been moving through in their hundreds, taking advantage of the fresh grazing. Elephants remain a regular sight, though with water and food available everywhere, they’ve spread out more than usual. This has allowed the bush to recover while still offering incredible elephant sightings throughout the month.
Another exciting moment—a crocodile was spotted in the Molobetsi River. While crocodiles aren’t unheard of at Tomo, it was still an impressive sighting. We’ve also seen hippos in N’tomo Dam, and the pod of 13 is still holding strong in the river. With the water levels high, they’ve been making the most of the season, offering some fantastic viewing opportunities.
Snake Sightings – Up Close & Personal
This month also brought some incredible snake encounters. A large python with a fresh hare kill was an exciting find in the bush. Closer to home, we had an unexpected visitor—a black mamba that made its way to the house. Fortunately, it was quickly and safely removed by the local snake handler.
The Lion Cubs & the Growing Pride
The lion cubs are thriving—one with a lighter coat and the other darker. Their playful nature has led to some of the cutest sightings of the month, and it won’t be long before they get their names. The rest of the pride has been active, making several large kills and keeping us busy tracking them.
February in Bloom & Marula Season
It’s not just the wildlife that’s been thriving—everywhere you look, tiny splashes of color have appeared. The rains have brought out wild basil, devil’s thorn, and flame lilies, brightening the green landscape. The knobthorn acacias are covered in fresh growth, attracting giraffes, while the ground is dotted with delicate yellow, white, and purple flowers.
This time of year also marks the arrival of marula season. The trees are now heavy with their golden fruit, drawing in elephants, baboons, and other animals eager to feast on the sweet reward. It’s always fascinating to watch wildlife gather around marula trees, taking full advantage of nature’s bounty.
A Big Thank You
February has been a fantastic month, made even more special by the incredible guests who’ve shared these moments with us. Thank you to everyone who visited—we look forward to welcoming you back. And for those arriving in March, prepare for an unforgettable experience.
– Gareth & Josh
1 February 2025
January 2025 at Tomo Safari Lodge
– Gareth & Josh
30 December 2024
December 2024 at Tomo Safari Lodge
December has flown by in the blink of an eye, and what a month it’s been!
Josh arrived at Tomo this month and has hit the ground running. It feels like he’s been part of the team forever—fitting in like a house on fire. Guests have loved his passion and stories, and it’s been great having his fresh energy around the lodge.
The highlight of the month has to be meeting the newest members of the Ngati Pride. The lion cubs are absolutely adorable, and we managed to capture some priceless moments of them climbing all over their dad as he tried (and failed) to enjoy a peaceful nap. It’s been a privilege to watch these little ones thrive in the wild.
The rains have done wonders for the bush—it’s lush, green, and teeming with life. The Big 5 have been out in force this month, with some truly memorable sightings. The buffalo have also been hanging around the lodge more often, adding their unique charm to the mix.
One of the surprises this month has been spotting some new hyenas at one of our dams. They seem to have moved into the area, which is very exciting as we often catch them on the trail camera.
The birdlife has been spectacular too, with so many species out and about. It’s the kind of month where you look up at the sky or into the trees and feel like you’re in the middle of a living masterpiece.
Christmas came and went, bringing festive vibes to the lodge. Guests could feel the holiday spirit in the air, and it gave the whole month an extra spark of joy.
Now, as we look ahead to 2025, Josh and I are filled with anticipation for what’s to come. If this month is any indication, the new year promises more adventures, surprises, and unforgettable moments in the heart of the bush.
Here’s to closing out 2024 on a high and stepping into 2025 with excitement and gratitude.
– Gareth & Josh
30 November 2024
November 2024 in the wild with Gareth
The first rains are here, and wow, what a difference! With over 100mm falling this month, the bush has come alive in every shade of green. The dams are filling, the air smells like fresh rain, and the animals are absolutely loving it. Even though the lodge was closed for two weeks for some big renovations (which look amazing, by the way), I couldn’t sit still. I spent my time out in the bush, checking up on all the animals. We’ve spotted two more lionesses showing signs of lactating, which means… more cubs! That makes four sets now, and the two older ones are doing so well—they’re growing up way too fast. Our lion sightings have been incredible, with the whole pride thriving in this lush new world.
We’ve also started seeing a new male leopard hanging around the dry riverbed. He’s huge and looks like he’s got some serious character. I’m looking forward to figuring out his movements and seeing what he gets up to. And then there’s TwinSpot—what can I say? Everyone’s favourite leopard has been putting on a show this month.
We’re all keeping an eye out for the first impala babies—they should be here any day now with the next rains. There’s nothing better than seeing them wobbling around on their skinny little legs for the first time. Finally, some exciting news—Joshua has joined the Tomo team as a guide! He’s already hit the ground running, and I can’t wait to see what adventures we’ll get up to together. November has been full of energy, new beginnings, and incredible sightings. Here’s to the green season bringing even more magic our way! Bring on December 2024.
– Gareth Williams
31 October 2024
October 2024 in the wild with Gareth
What a first month it’s been here at Tomo Safari Lodge! The landscape itself is breathtaking, and there’s something new around every corner. It’s a place shaped by nature’s most resilient giants, and the rich diversity of wildlife is incredible. The predator count here is especially impressive—there’s an energy in the air that makes every drive unforgettable. One of the highlights has been the frequent spotting of TwinSpot, one of our resident male leopards. He’s a real show-off for the camera and has been incredibly active lately. Watching him is thrilling enough, however he has been spotted mating and the possibility of cubs is very exciting.
The Ngati pride of lions has had a strong month as well, thriving, with massive herds of buffalo hanging around Tomo. They’ve been blessed with two sets of cubs! The older cubs are starting to explore with the pride, and they are endlessly entertaining—watching their little antics is the kind of joy only the bush can bring. Our elephant encounters have been equally memorable. Ezulwini, our massive bull elephant, is a frequent visitor. He’s almost a celebrity around here, known for his calm demeanor and curiosity about people. It’s one thing to see an elephant, but to be in the presence of such a massive, gentle bull is a humbling experience. The dry season is slowly coming to an end, and we’re all feeling the anticipation for the first rains. The heat has been intense, and the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance has everyone looking toward the skies, waiting for the downpour to arrive. It’s an exciting time to be in the bush—new life and fresh scenes await, and I can’t wait to see what the rains bring.
Each day at Tomo is an adventure, and I’m already counting down to the next chapter in this incredible journey. If you’re thinking of visiting, be ready for the unexpected—you never know what you might see on any given drive!