Kube Yini Wildlife

Abundant Game

At the outset shareholders agreed to defer the introduction of the more dangerous game such as Lion, Elephant, and Buffalo until the area could be expanded by the removal of fences separating the adjoining reserves. These animals are present on the neighbouring reserves and the question of whether and when these animals will be introduced into Kube Yini is still to be decided by the shareholders. Today Kube Yini supports a wide diversity of wildlife. Home to a family of Leopard, the Reserve also supports Spotted Hyena, Caracal, Civet, Honey Badger and Black-backed Jackal. Of the antelope, the most plentiful are the Impala and Nyala, while Kudu, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Grey and Red Duiker and the rare Suni are present. Giraffe, Burchell's Zebra, and Blue Wildebeest are visible on the plain, whilst Kube Yini's nine White Rhino move freely about the Reserve. Most of the smaller animals such as the Woodland Dormouse, Scrub Hare, Large-spotted Genet, and a variety of Mongoose species, including the Banded, White-tailed, Water and Slender Mongoose are present, while the tell-tale disturbances in the ground illustrate the presence of Warthog and Bushpig. Baboon and the Vervet Monkeys are abundant. Creatures such as the Porcupine move about after dark, the Thick-tailed Bushbaby's characteristic night calls are ever present, and a wide variety of bats prey on a wide variety of insects.

Maputaland is renowned for its rich diversity of almost 500 bird species. Almost 300 species have already been recorded in the diverse habitats of Kube Yini, and patience will reward the determined birdwatcher with impressive sightings. These range from: six sunbirds (Neergaard's, Scarlet-chested, Grey, Collared, White-bellied, Purple-banded, and Amethyst); three Bush-shrikes (Orange-breasted, Olive, Gorgeous); six Robins (White-starred Robin, Cape Robin-Chat, White-browed Robin-Chat, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Bearded Scrub-Robin, White-browed Scrub-Robin); three Louries (Grey, Purple-crested and Knysna); three Rollers (Lilac-breasted, Broad-billed and European); two Tchagras (Three streaked and Black-crowned); and rarities such as African Broad Bill which nests on the Reserve, Pink throated Twinspot, Eastern Nicator, Southern Ground Hornbill, Denham's Bustard and the Black bellied Bustard, White-backed, Lappet-faced and Cape Vulture, Yellow-billed Stork and the Woolly-necked Stork, and a wide variety of birds of prey including the Martial, Wahlberg's and the Crowned eagle.

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