As the bush transitions through the changing season, Tulela Safari Lodge is alive with subtle yet powerful signs of transformation. Though the landscape remains dry, the shift is unmistakable. The animals are on the move, driven by the search for sustenance as they roam more than usual. Unlike in the lush summer months when food is plentiful, this time of year challenges them to find nutrition. This movement has brought our guests some incredible sightings, especially of buffalo herds that sweep across the plains like living lawn mowers, grazing steadily as they go.
Elephant herds have also become a familiar sight, descending daily to graze in the Mopani belts. Mopani leaves, known for retaining 40% of their nutritional value even after the tree dies, provide a vital source of sustenance during these lean times. Watching these magnificent creatures make the most of what nature offers in this season is a humbling experience.
But it’s not just the animals that signal this shift. There’s a certain pressure in the air, a change that hints at what’s to come. As reptiles and tortoises begin to stir, we’re reminded that this season isn’t only about new life—it’s about the promise of rain. The croaks of frogs are growing louder, their calls forecasting the much-anticipated rains that are just weeks away.
Perhaps the most visible markers of the changing season are the trees. The long-tail cassia and wild pear trees have started to bloom, their bright blossoms the first to emerge in the dry landscape. The wild pear tree, once used for wagon-making, now stands as a living testament to endurance. And when these trees bloom, we know for sure: nature’s cycle is in full swing at Tulela.
In this season of transition, the bush tells a story of resilience, of life continuing despite challenges. And as we witness these changes, we are reminded of nature’s constant cycle of renewal—offering both the wildlife and those lucky enough to visit a glimpse of something truly extraordinary.