The resident lioness and her three female cubs were a regular presence around 4 Rivers, often moving through the camp. Fresh tracks were found along the pathways and near the staff area, and guests occasionally heard them at night as they passed through.
In the west, the Zebra Pride, consisting of two adult females and their six cubs, continued to defend their territory. Their spoor was tracked through the floodplain, leading to vultures circling overhead and the pride feasting on a buffalo carcass. The cubs were often seen tumbling over one another and practising their stalking skills, gaining confidence each week under the watchful eyes of the lionesses.
Leopard activity in the area was consistent. A resident female was observed southeast of the camp, feeding on a male impala carcass. A few days later, she was located again, this time north of the walking range, on a large male red lechwe kill. This confirmed her repeated hunting success within her territory.
Further west, along the Slender Spillway, a large male leopard was observed resting in a sausage tree, watching antelope feeding below on fallen flowers. This is a hunting tactic used to surprise prey that feed beneath the canopy.
Additionally, another female leopard and her cub were found east of the camp, near the guides’ rooms, on a fresh red lechwe carcass. The mother exhibited skittish behavior while the cub fed confidently, occasionally glancing at the game viewer. The same pair was later seen resting in a tree.
Queens, cubs and a wandering male
Cheetah sightings were quite successful. A lone male was observed in the Paradise area to the east. A female accompanied by her subadult female cub was located north of Paradise along the Mojeremane Road. Later in the month, a new female and her subadult male were seen trying to hunt in the morning, but there were no impalas in the area. They eventually found a shaded spot to rest.
The resident pack of African wild dogs was observed on two occasions. On both occasions, they were actively hunting and moving at a pace across the floodplain. The pack continued to favour areas north of the camp, likely to avoid contact with lions and spotted hyenas.
Spotted hyenas were encountered on three separate elephant carcasses in different parts of the area. Night-time vocalisations — including contact calls and whooping — were heard frequently as individuals called others to carcass sites. Hyenas were also seen during morning and late-afternoon drives along the runway and west of camp.
Buffalos by the hundreds and Elephants by the Herd
Large herds of buffalo and elephants were seen, along with giraffes, kudus, sables, roan antelopes, red lechwes, waterbucks, reedbucks, plains zebras, and elands. As water levels continued to drop and natural pans receded, concentrations of wildlife increased around the remaining water sources. Elephants gathered in high numbers along the Dead Tree Marshes to drink and wallow. A range of feeding behaviours was recorded, including mixed-species grazing and instances of geophagia where animals consumed mineral-rich soil.
Bird activity was remarkable. Notable raptors observed included martial eagles, tawny eagles, and brown snake eagles. The waterbirds present consisted of wattled cranes, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks, grey herons, squacco herons, goliath herons, and African fish eagles. Intra-African migrants, such as southern carmine bee-eaters and yellow-billed kites, arrived in significant numbers. Additionally, to the west of the camp, two adult ostriches were seen raising 18 chicks.
The Rhythm of the Dry Season
Nile crocodiles have been observed in the Paradise area to the east, including a resident crocodile that was often seen basking on the sandbank in front of the camp. Both rock monitors and water monitors were spotted foraging along the mopane woodland and the water’s edge.
The open areas provided clear visibility across the floodplains. Wildlife movement had pushed down the grass, and leaves continued to fall from the woodland trees as part of the seasonal transition and the natural regeneration cycle.
Clear conditions provided excellent stargazing opportunities. Guides and guests regularly viewed the night sky from areas away from camp lights. During the month, guests experienced a total lunar eclipse, with the moon taking on a red hue as it passed through Earth’s shadow. The Milky Way was visible on clear evenings, along with constellations including Scorpius and the Southern Cross, and planets such as Venus, Jupiter and Mars.
