With the winter now in full swing the bush put on its grey overcoat, but the loss of colour were made up in spectacular game viewing. A group of ± 250 buffalo entered our traversing area and was seen regularly. A cheetah mother and 3 cubs were also seen as well as 2 males that stayed around for a while. Highlights of the month: 3 July: Lions feeding on a warthog at Nala road. 9 July: The sighting of the month for me was witnessing a baby giraffe taking its first steps on very rubbery legs. We came upon the baby giraffe only 5 minutes after it was born. It was still covered in the placenta with the mother standing guard and bending down to try and lick it clean every now and then. After about 10 minutes the baby started to try and stand up and a great cheer erupted from the vehicle when it eventually managed. 11 July: Two male cheetahs were seen feeding on an impala kill. 11 July: Saw a young female leopard feeding on a guinea fowl. 15 July: We saw a few buffalo coming down to drink at Nyari dam. One buffalo bull started to walk along the water's edge when 2 Blacksmith lapwings suddenly started to dive-bomb him. When this did not deter him they landed right in front of him and refused to budge. They complained heavily until he eventually changed direction and went the other way. They were defending their nest and their bravery were very special to see. 17 July: We found the big male lion, Mazinyo, feeding on a warthog with Big Boy, the other male, lying about 15 meters away. I was a little surprised that they were not fighting over the warthog as usual and that Big Boy was allowing Mazinyo to eat alone. The mystery was solved when I drove around a bush to find Big Boy guarding his own kill. (See videos taken by rangers) 20 July: Found the 2 territorial male lions of the York Pride at a buffalo kill. 24 July: Saw the York pride feeding on a buffalo. (See videos taken by rangers) A dead giraffe who died of unknown cause were found on the same day near Pondoro Main road and the next morning we saw one of the 4 subadult young male lions feeding on the carcass. He was joined by one of his mates on the 28th and we saw them at the carcass until the 30th of July. The whole York pride also found an elephant bull that must have died during a fight with another bull and we saw them feeding on the carcass for the next week. (See videos taken by rangers) 30 July: During the afternoon drive lions killed an impala only 70 meters from the vehicle and Shaun and Rul raced over to find Big Boy feeding and fighting with some of the younger cubs. (See videos taken by rangers) I would like to take this opportunity to thank Willem Luttig and co for visiting Bateleur Self Catering Campfor the 2nd time. Thierry Thenon and family for visiting Pondoro for the 4th time. Robert and Penny Reimers and co for visiting Pondoro for the 2nd time. Congratulations to Heico and Laura Backers, and Nancy and Ilse on your weddings on 5 July and 23 July at Pondoro respectively.