Early in the month, a large pride of 24 lions was located southeast of the airstrip, resting under a sausage tree. The following morning, the coalition of three dominant males associated with this pride was found north of camp, moving towards the old mokoro station. All three appeared full-bellied, with fresh blood still visible on their faces, suggesting a recent kill during the night.
Further west, the Sedudu Island pride was located resting on a termite mound beneath an African ebony tree. After some time, they became active and moved off with clear intent. Their movement was followed over distance, eventually relocating them again near Baboon Island not far from camp.
Shortly afterwards, the behaviour of the pride changed noticeably. Individuals began testing the air, lowering their heads and flattening their ears, indicating the presence of other lions nearby. A short drive through the area confirmed this, with another pride of eight lions found less than half a kilometre away.
This second group moved into hunting formation, spreading out in a coordinated, horseshoe-like position around a group of impala. Engines were switched off and the approach was watched in silence. One lion moved forward, triggering the ambush. An adult impala male was brought down, and the pride fed for close to an hour. It was a complete hunt sequence, and for several guests it was their first time witnessing a kill from start to finish.
Leopards, wild dogs and shifting dynamics
Leopard activity remained productive, with several individuals located across the concession.
A resident female with two cubs was found north of camp near the firebreak. The cubs were seen again the following morning resting in a dead tree, while the female continued to operate in the surrounding area. The resident male was also located near Baboon Island after his call was heard, allowing guides to position and find him as he moved through the area. The same female was later encountered again along Impala Road to the west.
African wild dogs provided strong viewing throughout the month, with multiple packs moving through the concession. A resident pack of seven was seen regularly across different areas, while another group of eight was located south of camp. In addition, a newly identified coalition of six males was encountered on several occasions.
Pack dynamics appeared to be shifting, with numbers having reduced over time, likely influenced by predator pressure in the area. Despite this, the dogs remained active and were seen moving, hunting and feeding across the concession.
General game viewing remained strong, with a good mix of species seen throughout the concession. Impala, zebra, kudu, waterbuck and giraffe were consistently present, often in mixed groups.
A large herd of buffalo was located along Leopard Road, gathered around a wide waterhole. Individuals were seen wallowing in mud, coating their bodies as protection against insects, while others engaged in mud tossing and ground rubbing behaviour associated with dominance displays.
Smaller mammals added to the overall experience, with sightings of large-spotted genet, serval, African wild cat, springhare and scrub hare. Bushbabies were seen regularly along the camp roads at night.
Reptile activity was also notable. A large crocodile, estimated at between three and four metres, was found dead on Sedudu Island approximately 200 metres from water. Vulture activity initially drew attention to the site. Water monitor lizards, rock monitor lizards, terrapins and tortoises were all seen across the concession.
Birdlife remained diverse, with strong sightings of raptors including martial eagle, brown snake eagle, African harrier-hawk and yellow-billed kite. Aquatic species such as spur-winged goose, Egyptian goose, comb duck, saddle-billed stork, slaty egret and wattled crane were all present around waterholes and channels.
Evenings under open skies
Evenings in camp provided a quieter contrast to the activity of the day, with time spent around the firepit and the sounds of the bush carrying through the area.
On clearer nights, stargazing revealed prominent constellations including Orion, Gemini, Taurus and the Southern Cross, along with visible planets and occasional satellites moving across the sky.
The landscape remained in strong condition, with good grass cover and flowering plants present across the concession. The combination of green vegetation and soft evening light created particularly good conditions for late afternoon drives and sundowner stop
