This week’s Virtual Safari brings us a morning of surprises, instinct, and new life.
We start by spending time with the Xinkhova Female, who moves silently through the long grass, her sharp eyes scanning for any opportunity to hunt. With her sleek movements and natural camouflage, she disappears into the golden landscape, edging closer to something scuttling through the undergrowth. As we watch, we’re reminded just how unpredictable a leopard’s hunt can be.
From there, we head to the Kambula Lioness’s den, where her tiny cubs are out in the open, giving us a heartwarming glimpse of their playful nature. But what we discover next is unusual—the mother has made a kill inside the den. This is a risky decision, as the scent of a carcass could attract unwanted predators and put the cubs in danger. Why would she take such a chance? I guess when an easy hunting opportunity presents itself, it is hard to say no.
To end the morning, we witness something truly special—a newborn elephant calf, only hours old, stumbling through its first few steps. As we arrive, the mother elephant is still delivering the afterbirth, marking the incredible moment where new life begins.
An unforgettable morning in the wild—one filled with patience, survival, and the raw beauty of nature.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
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What fantastic footage. Witnessing the early hours of this new life made my morning. Lots of love to your wife!
Thank you so much, Camilla. It was so awesome to watch the calf stumbling around. Thank you so much, I will pass on your love.
How amazing to see that newborn ellie calf!
Did the Kambula lioness move the cubs to another den later on?
It was amazing to see this tiny little elephant calf. Yes, she did move them but only the following morning.
Phenomenal video today Sean, especially that adorable baby elephant seen shortly after birth. To think this mother carried this calf for 22 months, finally gave birth in the midst of trees and shrubbery, and it is up walking within a few hours – so touching to view.
The Kambula lioness’s cubs are so cute and energetic, and I’m thrilled I was fortunate to see them a couple of days ago in their new den. Mom was asleep but the cubs were tumbling over one another and venturing out of the site for a few meters only to return within minutes – cuteness overload.
Xinkhova looks so much like her mother and looks to be almost as large as her. Perhaps like her sister she will find a mating partner as produce cubs as well, although a different leopard will need to venture onto the property so there is no interbreeding!! Time will tell.
Thank you so much, Denise. 22 months is one incredibly long time. Spending time with the cubs is such entertainment, I am glad you managed to see them. I hope that the Xinkhova Female falls pregnant soon and has her first litter of cubs.
Oh goodness! Do keep us posted on the status of the lion cubs. I hope that wasn’t a fatal error on the lionesses part and she successfully moved them. That elephant calf was absolutely darling! That the mother has just given birth and is delivering the placenta all the while milling about and continuing to feed as usual will never cease to amaze me. I do wish this new family well and hope the calf grows to adulthood. What a wonderful day you had, Sean!
Thankfully the cubs survived. More on that in Sunday’s video. It was rather entertaining that the elephant mother just carried on about her business meanwhile something rather poignant and intense was going on. It was a fantastic day.
Amazing footage! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Maria.
Hi Sean, that was the cutest little ele calf I have ever seen. So very special and absolutely adorable. Lion cubs are just as cute and adorable, especially the two that came out and lay out in the open a bit. I am worried about the cubs as that carcas will bring the hyenas in to come and investigate. Hope Mom takes the cubs away or at least move that car as away from her den. Fantastic video, thanks Sean.
It was such a cute little elephant calf. It is such risky business keeping the cubs there overnight with the carcass around. More on that story in this Sunday’s video.
Sean, Great video! The newborn elephant experience was just amazing, and how lucky were you to get so close and to see some of the first steps! Wow!
It was such a privilege to be there and spend time with that tiny little elephant calf.
This is a really incredible sighting, Sean. Such a tiny new-born elephant baby and the mother dropping the placenta after having given birth to the baby. Fantastic that you were able to watch and film this. This was really very good luck, being in the right place at the right time. What always amazes me is, how these little new-born ones know exactly and right from the first moment on after being born, what to do and where to look for their mother’s milk.
I also love the video of those tiny lion cubs; they look so cuddly and cute. I hope that their mother moved them out of danger’s range early enough, before any hyena came to close to them.
Nature is so full of surprises, so I ma always looking forward to your video to see another fascinating surprise.
It was such an incredible sighting with the mother elephant and her newborn calf and then her delivering the placenta (afterbirth) as well. It is amazing how they know what to do right away, but I do believe that the mother helps guide the little calf to her teats to help it feed.
Awesome – a beautiful experience – thanks Sean
Thank you so much, Jennifer.
So amazing that littlest ellie!!!
Thank you so much, Anita.
The elephant calf is amazing! Great video!
Thank you so much, Nicholas.
Hi Sean, the newborn elephant is absolutely cute and irresistible! What an emotional view to see the tired young mum and all the scene, and how this little new life tries to adjust to the new world…. absolutely fantastic. And the cubs are becoming confident, every decision of a mother may look strange or dangerous but who knows what she had in mind. Keeping the cubs hidden in the shadow and then move them or remove the carcass…. who knows. She’s a beautiful mum and hopefully her cubs will survive. I also joke the elephant mum with her tiny baby reaches the rest of her family in time without any risk for it…. too sweet
It is such an adjustment now being in the outside world, but the little elephant seemed to be handling it well and the mother is going to be so protective.
The Lioness has done a marvellous job so far and so lets hope that she is able to keep these cubs safe.