A pack of 27 African wild dogs was observed feeding on two impalas at Dibatana Pan. In another sighting, the pack was seen taking down an impala during a morning drive, with guests present to witness the hunt. The dogs shifted their activity to areas with shorter grass and better visibility, particularly in the southeastern part of the concession.
Lions were frequently spotted throughout the concession. A pride of 17, known locally as Tee’s Pride, was tracked for over an hour and was found feeding on two baboons at Kate Pan. This pride remained active in the area throughout the month.
Due to the rainfall, lion movements changed, with some prides moving deeper into the concession in search of buffalo and general game. While lions continued to be seen regularly, tracking them required greater skill due to the shifting concentrations of prey. On one occasion, guides tracked fresh tracks into tall grass, eventually revealing a pride resting near a pan after feeding.
Leopard activity remained consistent throughout the observation period. The dominant male, known as Rralebodu, was spotted multiple times. He was seen mating with several females and was also tracked during a failed attempt to hunt impala near the river’s edge.
A female leopard with two cubs was located near the BDF area, feeding on an impala kill. Other leopards were found resting in the trees, particularly during the warmer parts of the day, providing clear views for guests. Leopard sightings typically followed careful listening for alarm calls and tracking of paw prints along the edges of the roads.
Cheetah sightings were consistent in the area. A coalition of four male cheetahs were moving between the Dinare Concession and the adjacent Moremi Game Reserve. They were spotted multiple times, including one instance where a single male was seen distress calling and climbing a dead tree to locate his brothers, who were later found feeding on a baby impala nearby.
Additionally, a female cheetah with three cubs was observed in the area. She was more elusive but was successfully tracked on several game drives. Her movements seemed to cover the southern and eastern sections of the concession.
Spotted hyenas were mainly encountered during night drives or early morning activities. Their vocalizations were frequently heard around the riverine areas. Several individuals were seen patrolling the roads and scavenging, with signs of feeding and movement around carcasses. Tracks were commonly found along the edges of the floodplain and in mopane thickets.
General game viewing was strong, with sightings of red lechwe, impala, kudu, wildebeest, tsessebe, giraffe, zebra, and warthog. As the natural pans filled with water, many herbivores moved inland from the river, concentrating around the floodplain grasslands and pan systems. Elephants and buffalo were seen less frequently in the early part of the period but increased in number as February progressed. Breeding herds of elephants were observed moving in from the north, with several groups feeding near the edges of the floodplain.
Night drives proved to be very successful for spotting wildlife. We recorded sightings of springhares, scrub hares, white-tailed mongooses, genets, honey badgers, and bush babies. On one morning drive, we observed an African wildcat walking through the tall grass. Towards the end of February, we also spotted a serval hunting near one of the larger pans.
Birdwatching was exceptional, with a variety of migratory and resident species present. We recorded sightings of southern carmine bee-eaters, European bee-eaters, broad-billed rollers, steppe eagles, woolly-necked storks, and various cuckoo species. African fish eagles, bateleurs, martial eagles, and yellow-billed kites were frequently observed, particularly near water sources. Several vulture species, including lappet-faced, white-backed, hooded, and white-headed vultures, were regularly spotted near carcasses.
Additionally, two giant eagle-owls were seen feeding on a bullfrog near one of the pans. The floodplains and riverbanks attracted African jacanas, herons, and storks as well.
Throughout the month, many insects were active, including butterflies, moths, dragonflies, and beetles. Monitor lizards and juvenile crocodiles were spotted away from the main river, occupying pans and shallow pools. During a game drive, a black mamba was observed being mobbed by birds in a tree, and a rock python was seen on three separate occasions along a frequently used game trail. Water monitors were also commonly found around the marshy areas.
The concession remained lush – trees, grasses, and flowering plants were in full bloom, providing a vibrant backdrop to all activities. Flowering species such as Ipomoea, wild stock rose, and Kalahari water tuber were widespread. The increase in water availability in natural pans supported aquatic plant growth and drew in a variety of wildlife. Most waterholes remained full, supporting game concentrations in new areas.
Clear night skies offered opportunities for star gazing, with regular views of constellations such as Orion, the Southern Cross, Taurus, and Pleiades. Jupiter, Mars, and Venus were also visible on cloud-free evenings.
