The Curious one
Updated: Sep 8
A Sub-Adult Hyena's Morning Standoff at Tsunamoon
There's a particular kind of silence that settles over the bushveld just after sunrise — the light still soft and gold, the air cool, the reserve holding its breath before the day's heat sets in. It was in this stillness, on the dirt road cutting through Tsunamoon, that we found ourselves face to face with one of the bush's most misunderstood residents: a curious sub-adult spotted hyena.
An Unexpected Encounter on the Road
We spotted him standing squarely in the middle of the track, his mottled coat catching the early light, ears pricked forward, dark eyes fixed on our vehicle. Unlike the skittish retreat you might expect from a younger animal, this hyena held his ground. He was clearly still finding his place in the world — not quite adult, not quite cub — and his body language told the whole story: equal parts caution and curiosity.
Rather than bolting at the sound of the engine, he began to approach. Slowly. Deliberately. One paw in front of the other, pausing every few steps to reassess, his head tilting slightly as if trying to work out exactly what we were. It's a behavior that never gets old to witness — that unmistakable moment when a wild animal decides you are the interesting one for a change.
Reading the Moment
Sub-adult hyenas are at a fascinating stage of development. Old enough to be independent of constant clan supervision, but young enough to still be testing boundaries, sizing up threats, and learning the rules of the bushveld through trial and error. His approach wasn't reckless — every few steps he'd pause, weigh the situation, and inch forward again. It's this exact blend of boldness and hesitation that makes encounters with young wildlife so captivating; you're watching an animal actively learning in real time.
Spotted hyenas carry an undeserved reputation as purely scavenging, cowardly animals — a myth that couldn't be further from the truth. They are highly intelligent, socially complex, and formidable hunters in their own right. Moments like this one, where curiosity briefly outweighs caution, offer a rare glimpse into the personality behind the myth.
The Retreat
As quickly as the moment built, it dissolved. The instant we started the vehicle again, the confidence vanished — his ears dropped back, and in a few swift strides he peeled off into the tall grass lining the road, vanishing as effortlessly as he'd appeared. A reminder that no matter how bold the approach, the wild always keeps its edge of unpredictability.
Why Moments Like This Matter
This is exactly the kind of encounter that makes early mornings on the reserve worth it. No fences, no scripts — just patience, quiet, and the privilege of watching a wild animal make its own choices in its own time. At Tsunamoon, sightings like this aren't guaranteed, but they're never far away. It's one of the reasons the bushveld keeps pulling us back, morning after morning.
Have you had a wildlife encounter that caught you off guard? We'd love to hear about it — and if you haven't yet experienced a Tsunamoon sunrise for yourself, there's no better time to book your stay.
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Spotted at Tsunamoon, Lekkersmaak Game Reserve, South Africa.
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