Cheetah sightings were productive, with both resident males and transient individuals recorded. Early in the month, a male cheetah was tracked moving from the eastern side of Paradise heading west. While he moved between scent-marking posts, fresh spoor of two younger males was found. The pair was located shortly after on a termite mound, scanning the area.
The two younger males approached a marking post used by the resident male, detected his scent, and quickly moved off in a different direction. They paused again on another mound, where they inadvertently approached a resting lioness. She noticed them, stood up, and initiated a short stalk. One cheetah spotted her and alerted his companion. Both fled into the mopane woodland. The lioness gave up pursuit shortly thereafter.
A few days later, the resident male was tracked again near Paradise. After a failed attempt to hunt common reedbuck, he rested on a termite mound. He was later seen wet from an attempted hunt on red lechwe and again took to higher ground to rest and scan.
Lion activity was strong throughout the month. The report opened with a pair of dominant male lions feeding on a buffalo carcass along James Road, northwest of camp. The following day, fresh spoor from the Zebra Pride was tracked for approximately 35 minutes in the southwest near the spillway. This led to a sighting of two females and six cubs feeding on a zebra kill at Seolo sa Tlhakadu.
Subsequently, vultures were seen circling east of camp, leading guides to a giraffe carcass at Double Cross, where two females from the Marsh Pride and two cubs were feeding. Mid-month, the Zebra Pride was tracked along Impala West Road, moving northwards towards Lehata. That evening, they crossed the spillway. The next morning, the pride was relocated on a zebra foal carcass. The cubs were active, playing in the vicinity, with one seen carrying a hoof in its mouth and attempting to climb a tree.
During an evening game drive along Tsessebe Road, two Zebra Pride females were observed initiating a hunt. Tsessebe antelope were present, giving the lions the opportunity to stalk. After a period of silence, a distress call was heard, indicating that the lions had successfully brought down a tsessebe near the spillway. One female remained to guard the kill while the other retrieved the cubs. Two spotted hyenas responded to the kill but were chased off by the pride once reunited. Feeding began immediately after.
Later in the month, the Zebra Pride was followed from Marula Pan, crossing north of the spillway. The cubs were seen playing while the adults stalked prey. Nearby, one of the dominant males was heard calling, likely seeking his coalition partner. Near the end of the month, Mosadi Tau and her three cubs were tracked west of the Fishing Spot Road. The same day, the Kwara Pride—comprising 23 lions—was located south of Sephane sa Mojemane on a zebra kill. Later that afternoon, the Marsh Pride was found north of Lediba la Dikubu.
Towards month-end, two Zebra Pride males were seen along Gardenia Road. Mosadi Tau was again seen near Mokoro Road, east of camp, on a red lechwe carcass with her cubs feeding.
Leopard sightings were frequent and exhibited a range of interesting behaviors. Mosadi Nkwe was observed on multiple occasions. She was first spotted in the southwest along Roan Road, where she was scent-marking to reinforce her territorial boundaries. On another evening, she was found climbing a sausage tree in response to alarm calls from side-striped jackals west of Baboon Island.
She was also seen with a male leopard southeast of Marula Pan, though both disappeared into long grass as dusk fell. Later in the month, she was seen moving through camp, from the main entrance road towards Room 6 and then continuing past Room 9. She climbed a leadwood tree near the helipad, where she remained for some time. On a separate occasion, she was seen patrolling north of Roan Road, heading west towards V-junction.
African wild dog sightings showcased an intriguing dynamic this month. A pack of ten was observed moving northwards through Paradise and into the mopane woodland, a notable shift from their previous count of eleven. Later, a separate pack of sixteen, formerly twenty-two, was tracked west of Steenbok Road towards Kazungula Road, demonstrating their hunting prowess as they actively pursued red lechwe in the water. Interestingly, the original pack of ten made a reappearance near the helicopter pad, hunting at first light and marking a thrilling moment for wildlife enthusiasts.
Spotted hyenas were observed regularly, particularly near predator kills. Two hyenas attempted to scavenge from the Zebra Pride’s tsessebe kill at the spillway but were chased off. Three hyenas were found feeding on an elephant carcass along Seyentsi Road. Additional individuals were recorded moving near Marula Pan heading eastward.
General game viewing remained excellent. Sable antelope were observed frequently near camp, with a high number of calves. Roan antelope were also seen in relaxed groups, often at close range. Large buffalo herds—ranging from 300 to 600—were seen crossing the spillway from both directions on several occasions.
Elephant activity was high, with herds moving between Room 9 and Mabua Island and along the spillway. One sighting included a male elephant chasing a female across the water at Mokoro Station, eventually catching up and mating—an unusual and dramatic event. Zebra were commonly seen, especially in Paradise, and giraffe herds with calves were also present in large numbers.
One of the highlight sightings during our night drives was a pangolin, which was spotted west of Gardenia Road. This rare encounter with such a fascinating and elusive creature was truly memorable, adding a special moment to our observations. Pangolins are known for their unique protective scales and are not often seen, making this sighting particularly noteworthy. It underlines the importance of nighttime excursions in uncovering the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area.
Birdlife was abundant. A Pel’s fishing owl was seen holding a fish in its talons during the morning hours. Raptors included black-chested and brown snake eagles, Bateleur, martial eagle (juvenile), and African harrier-hawk, which was seen removing chicks from a tree cavity. Verreaux’s eagle-owl was observed feeding on a barn owl. Other species included white-backed, hooded, and lappet-faced vultures, kestrels, falcons, and numerous smaller species.
Reptile activity increased with the warmer daytime temperatures. Crocodiles were observed in various locations following the rise in floodwaters. A large African rock python was seen crossing the airstrip. Squirrel alarm calls alerted guides to a puff adder resting near the arrival area. Other species included water and rock monitors, sand snake, olive grass snake, spotted bush snake, flap-necked chameleon, and leopard tortoise.
Floodwaters arrived across much of the area, transforming previously dry terrain into wetland. The north, with its Zambezi teak woodlands and floodplains, became increasingly accessible. A new pride of five lions—one with a short tail—was recorded in this section.
The Paradise region turned vibrant green as the water levels rose, attracting large congregations of red lechwe. Wildflowers such as vlei ink and various water lilies (pink, yellow, white, purple) were in bloom, contributing to striking visual contrasts at sunrise and sunset. The skeletal trees in the floodplains continued to provide iconic photographic silhouettes.
Walking safaris remained productive despite the surrounding water. Tracks and signs of large mammals were regularly found. Observations included buffalo, giraffe, impala, tsessebe, zebra, elephant, and warthog.
Mokoro excursions benefited from the high water levels, allowing extended explorations. Notable sightings included Angolan and long reed frogs, and a wide variety of birdlife such as saddle-billed storks feeding on fish, African fish eagles, jacanas, and pied kingfishers. The diversity of water lily species enhanced the experience.
Clear skies allowed excellent stargazing. The Milky Way was visible most nights, with regular sightings of shooting stars. Planetary observations included Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn. Prominent constellations such as the Southern Cross, Altair, and Vega were easily distinguishable.
