January at 4 Rivers unfolded with the full arrival of the green season across the Kwara Concession. Lion activity remained consistent throughout the month, with several prides moving through the concession. Early in the month, fresh spoor of a pride was picked up along the floodplain roads and followed until the lions were located resting in open grassland after feeding during the night. We witnessed lions moving between the islands and pan systems where prey species were concentrated. Several kills were found during the month, particularly zebra and young antelope, and vultures circling overhead often helped guides locate carcasses where lions had been feeding earlier.
Leopard presence was confirmed regularly through tracks found along the riverine woodland and sandy vehicle tracks. On several occasions the cats were located resting in shade during the heat of the day after the tracks were followed through the woodland edges. One male leopard was repeatedly encountered moving along the riverine belt where he was seen scent marking and patrolling his territory.
African wild dogs remained active across the wider concession and were encountered on several occasions. Their movements were fast and purposeful, and guides located them by picking up fresh tracks along the sandy roads before eventually finding the pack moving across the open floodplain. Several hunts were observed during the month, with the african wild dogs pursuing impala and other medium-sized antelope through the grasslands before feeding quickly and moving on.
Cheetah activity was present in the more open sections of the concession where visibility across the floodplains allowed them to hunt effectively. One male cheetah was seen moving steadily across the plains, occasionally using termite mounds as vantage points to scan for prey.
Spotted hyenas were regularly encountered both during morning and evening drives. Their presence was often linked to predator activity, and they were frequently seen around carcasses or moving along the floodplains during the cooler hours of the day.
General game remained abundant across the concession as the rains supported fresh grazing. Herds of zebra, wildebeest and impala were widely distributed, with tsessebe and red lechwe also frequently encountered. Elephant were present in smaller groups moving between woodland areas and water sources, while giraffes were seen browsing along the edges of the islands.
Birdlife was particularly active during the green season, with both resident species and migratory birds present. Raptors were commonly seen circling above the plains, while waterbirds gathered around the pans and channels created by the seasonal rains.
The landscape remained vibrant throughout the month, with the green grasslands contrasting against the sandier islands and woodland belts. Flowering plants appeared across the plains and the rain-filled pans reflected the changing skies.
