There is no mistaking the feeling—when the bush goes quiet, birdsong stills, and your guide lifts a hand for silence. Somewhere nearby, a predator moves. It may be a lion pride on the hunt, a leopard slipping through the shadows, or a raptor circling high above the plains. This is life at the edge of the wild, and at Fifty Five Mjejane, it’s part of your daily view.
Set within the Mjejane Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park, this luxury lodge offers direct access to some of Africa’s most formidable hunters. From the ground to the skies, these apex predators shape the rhythm of the reserve—and spotting them is among the most unforgettable experiences a safari can offer.
Power in Numbers
The lions of Mjejane are often first heard before they’re seen. Deep roars echoing across the Crocodile River signal the presence of one of Africa’s most iconic predators. During the day, you’ll often find them resting beneath trees, conserving energy for dusk and dawn—their prime hunting hours.
Their movements are slow and deliberate. A flick of the tail. A glance toward distant prey. A moment before the great tactical chase begins.
Silent Assassins
Solitary, elusive, and astonishingly graceful, leopards are the bushveld’s most mysterious predators. Their strength is matched only by their stealth. Often draped in the branches of marula trees or concealed in riverine thickets, they are built for ambush. A sighting feels personal—like the bush has revealed a secret to you alone.
Chaotic Precision
Also known as painted wolves, African wild dogs are Africa’s most efficient hunters. Their hunts are relentless and fast, driven by communication and coordination within the pack. Watching them work together—flanking prey, signaling with high-pitched chirps—is a masterclass in strategy. Though rare in many reserves, wild dogs are regular visitors to Mjejane’s open areas. Their energy is infectious, their presence unforgettable.
Did you know? Wild dogs have one of the highest hunting success rates of any African predator—sometimes exceeding 80%.
Sprinting with Shadows
Sleek, built for speed, and endlessly focused, cheetahs are daylight hunters that use stealth and explosive power to bring down smaller antelope. Unlike lions or leopards, they rely entirely on open space and vision to make their move, which makes the open grasslands a prime hunting ground . Their chases are over in seconds—and if you’re lucky enough to witness one, it stays with you forever.
Ruthless and Remarkable
More than scavengers, spotted hyenas are powerful hunters in their own right. They operate in clans led by dominant females and use endurance and intelligence to outlast or outwit their prey. At kills, they are relentless. At night, their calls echo with eerie intensity—a soundtrack of survival and cunning.
Raptors — The Sky’s Apex Hunters
Above it all, Africa’s birds of prey keep their own watchful vigil. In Mjejane, the skies belong to the martial eagle, bateleur, African fish eagle, and tawny eagle, among others. Each one a silent predator, built for speed, precision, and perspective.
Their hunts are often overlooked but just as thrilling—swooping for snakes, hares, fish, or even small antelope.
Stay Where the Wild is Close
At Fifty Five Mjejane, predator encounters aren’t confined to game drives—though each drive offers front-row access to the unfolding drama of the bush. From your suite’s private deck, you may watch lions drink at the river. From the boma, hear hyenas call under a star-drenched sky.
Book your stay at Fifty Five Mjejane, and experience the power, beauty, and silence of the hunt—through tooth and talon. Capture the Chase. Witness the Moment.
