Hyenas were active throughout the concession. One lone lioness made a kill near camp between Rooms 6 and 7, attracting hyenas to the area. Later in the month, a group of 11 hyenas was observed taking down a young buffalo—providing a rare example of active hunting rather than scavenging. A single hyena was seen feeding on a zebra carcass while the lioness responsible for the kill had gone to drink.
The resident female leopard was seen on multiple occasions. One morning, she was observed in a leadwood tree west of camp but descended after spotting impalas. Her attempt to stalk was thwarted by monkeys giving alarm calls, forcing her to abandon the hunt. She was later found resting in a shallow depression dug by elephants. On another occasion, she was seen surveying from a termite mound before moving into mopane woodland, eventually climbing another leadwood to rest.
A separate sighting involved the same female in the Matswere Pan area. She was found in a tree with a baby waterbuck carcass. After some time, she descended to drink from a water-filled elephant excavation. A male leopard was also briefly seen during a night drive but retreated into thick bush before it could be followed.
Lion sightings were excellent throughout the month, with activity from several known prides across the area. The Zebra Pride was regularly observed west of camp. On one occasion, two dominant males were tracked for approximately 30 minutes from the Matswere Pan area. They were later located walking along the Tsessebe Road, actively scent-marking and patrolling their territory in cool afternoon conditions.
Later in the month, two lionesses and six cubs from the same pride were found at Marula Pan feeding on a roan antelope carcass. After around 45 minutes of observation, they were joined by the two resident males. The arrival of the males triggered submissive behaviour from the lionesses, who moved aside from the kill. The cubs remained and fed with the males while the lionesses lay nearby. The pride was seen again a few days later feeding on a young giraffe near the spillway.
To the east of camp, sightings of the Kwara Pride continued, particularly in the Bat-Eared Fox and Paradise areas. The pride appeared to have split into smaller groups, possibly due to competition. On one occasion, the three dominant males were located on a buffalo carcass along with four females. The Marsh Pride was also seen frequently around the Paradise floodplains.
One lone lioness, suspected to be raising three cubs, was seen several times hunting alone near JD’s Crossing. The month concluded with the Zebra Pride found again west of camp on a zebra kill along the Matswere Road.
African Wild dog tracks were observed in various areas. A larger pack of 26 was tracked through Mabua Island and eventually seen resting under feverberry trees after signs such as soaring yellow-billed kites indicated a potential kill site. This same pack was later recorded at reduced numbers, down to 23 individuals. The resident pack of 12 was not seen but fresh spoor suggested their continued presence west of camp.
General game was abundant. The shorter grass in open areas supported good visibility and predator awareness, encouraging mixed-species groupings, especially where giraffes were present. Elephant numbers steadily increased, with more breeding herds returning. Zebra and giraffe populations continued to grow across the concession. Calves of impalas, roan antelopes, wildebeests, and elephants were observed throughout the area. A large buffalo herd was seen frequently along Senyetse Road and occasionally moved close to the northern boundary of camp.
Night drives yielded sightings of springhares, civets, scrub hares, genets, and other small nocturnal species.
Birding was productive. Bee-eaters, including carmine, European, blue-cheeked, swallow-tailed, and little bee-eaters, were often seen foraging beside vehicles. Fork-tailed drongos and migratory falcons, including Amur falcons and kestrels, were also present. Cuckoos such as the black, striped, Jacobin, and Diederik were observed, along with cuckoo-shrikes. Birds of prey were prominent, with sightings of brown, black-chested, long-crested, and western-banded snake eagles, as well as tawny eagles, African harrier-hawks, African hawk-eagles, bateleurs, and martial eagles.
Warm conditions supported regular sightings of reptiles. Rock monitors, water monitors, and leopard tortoises were seen during activities. One black mamba was observed swimming across a channel at JD’s Crossing. An African rock python was seen near the walking range, its location revealed by alarm calls from starlings and hornbills. A large crocodile continued to bask regularly on the riverbank opposite Room 9.
The concession was lush and vibrant. Flowering plants created colourful contrasts across the landscape, with hues of red, yellow, pink, and violet set against the green grass. Dead trees stood out as natural sculptures. Sunrises and sunsets were particularly striking, especially when reflected in waterlogged areas.
Mokoro excursions remained excellent due to sustained water levels. Painted reed frogs and long reed frogs were encountered, along with African and lesser jacanas, and both pied and malachite kingfishers. Water lilies in bloom, both day and night species, added interest. On foot, guides and guests noted flowering plants and insects, including dung beetles and antlions.
Overcast skies hindered star-viewing on many evenings. However, on clearer nights, planets such as Venus, Jupiter, and Mars were visible. Orion was occasionally seen when conditions permitted.
