Where the year ran out of time, but the bush did not.
We ended things over Christmas last time, on the 26th, and while not much time has passed since then, many things happened all at once. 2025 clearly waited until the very last minute to redeem itself — which, frankly, feels about right for a year that spent most of its time tripping over its own shoelaces. If there was ever a year that enjoyed dramatic timing, this was it.
Let’s start right where we left off. On the morning of the 26th I headed back to Pretoria to fetch my partner from the airport for a two-week visit. We spent two days in Pretoria and then set off to Black Rhino for a short stint of game drives — and, hopefully, some good sightings. More importantly, I wanted to share with him the inner workings of my life. The bits that make sense, at least. The rest remains under investigation. That part mattered to me.
We arrived on the 29th and not even five minutes into the reserve we were spoiled with Rain’s last daughter on an impala kill. Five minutes. Cheetah sighting done. Some people wait years for that. He waited until the gate was barely behind us.I still don’t think he fully understands how lucky that was. Due to work complications he couldn’t join me on drives for the next few days, but as it turned out, that didn’t matter too much.
The next day delivered great sightings of everything except lions and leopards. Buffalo by the hundreds. Elephants by the hundreds. Black rhino by the multiples. Life was good — but my American guests were itching to see the famous big cats. Because apparently buffalo by the hundred don’t quite cut it. The clock was ticking.
Enter the 31st of December. Time literally running out.
That morning we set off and within the first hour were rewarded with the three western breakaway males. Rubbing up, greeting, reaffirming the bond — and this isn’t just affection. It’s administration. The kind involving silent meetings, no minutes taken, and very clear outcomes. A reminder that unity is strength, and that no challenge is taken on alone. Every day they grow heavier, stronger, more confident… and a little closer to knocking on the door of the two middle-aged incumbents.
There was a sentimental lesson in that. Funny thing is, it’s no different for us. Some brothers are born into your life. Others are chosen somewhere along the road. Either way, the bond only holds if you show up for it.
Keep your circle tight.
Power likes company.
Later that morning I saw the same cat that almost made me cry from joy the previous time — only this time it was an even better sighting, and one I’ll never forget. Kgodisa’s cub, perched on a dead tree at Thlware viewpoint, right by the water’s edge. On the last day of the year. Life was pure bliss in that moment — brief, rare, and wildly inconvenient to explain to anyone who wasn’t there.
On the way back I felt a bit guilty. I’d mentioned earlier that my partner couldn’t join the drive because of work — which was ironic, seeing as the whole point of this was to share it all with him. Luckily, life had other plans.
After the drive we packed up and headed out to Manyane for game drives on the other side of the park. This time around, he could join me. Thanks again for that, Debbie.
That afternoon, by some miracle, we got Motsamai for about twenty minutes. First stalking — and failing — to hunt a guinea fowl, then an impala, with the same result. And as if that wasn’t mad enough, we had a caracal right next to us on the other side of the vehicle, catching baby guinea fowls like they were chicken nuggets — served fresh and screaming. All in the same sighting.
The year ended with a bang indeed. Crazy leopards, shared with the people closest to me. And after the absolute shitshow that 2025 was, I’ll take the win and quietly back away.
First drive on the 2nd of January 2026 and both Moloto males strolled right past our vehicle, out on patrol, trying to keep the three western breakaways at bay. Another incredible sighting, and another memory shared with my Partner.
With 2026 now underway, it’s time to adjust my focus. On the wildly important. A move somewhere new is on the horizon — I just can’t see it yet. I still have a few days left with my partner before we head back to Pretoria to spend the last bit of time with my family, before work and life catch up with us all again.
All in, what a resounding success this mission was.
Stay tuned for the next one — where hopefully it will be about a leopard draped across a branch somewhere near a river, somewhere in Limpopo.
To each and every one of my close people, thank you for everything you’ve done this year.
And to 2026… please be kind. Or at least be interesting.
Wildlife Beyond the Lens 