Lion sightings remained consistent throughout the month, with multiple prides and coalitions observed in the Concession. During one morning drive, fresh lion tracks were traced towards the staff housing area. Alarm calls from baboons helped locate three subadults from the Gomoti Pride. The following day, these subadults were seen with two lionesses and four cubs, actively playing on a termite mound.
The Gomoti Boys, a well-known coalition, were spotted near Chris’s Island with full stomachs before heading to drink at the river. A lone lioness was also seen feeding on a waterbuck at Paradise, although she remained concealed in the bush. Another sighting near camp involved two lionesses and four cubs feeding on a freshly killed male kudu.
Tracking along the firebreak led to a male lion near the Mma Dinare water tanks. He was observed walking along the river, eventually crossing into the Gomoti area. Three subadults from Tee’s Pride were seen stalking a female buffalo. After a successful ambush, they brought her down. The following day, 16 members of the pride, including a male, were found feeding on the carcass.
Spots, Stealth, and Stolen Meals
Leopard activity was prominent throughout May. The resident male, Rralebodu, was observed mating and was later found with a male impala kill. Unfortunately, the kill was lost to hyenas overnight. A lion’s roar disturbed the hyenas, giving the leopardess a chance to retrieve the remains.
There were multiple sightings of leopards with kills. One was found near the airstrip after squirrel alarm calls prompted guides to investigate. Another female was feeding on an impala kill at Paradise, which she had hoisted up a leadwood tree. One leopardess was seen drinking at a waterhole after feeding.
Near Rra Dinare, guides responded to impala alarm calls and found a female leopard with a kill, which she hoisted into a camelthorn tree when approached by a hyena.
Cheetah sightings included a female with four cubs resting in the Matshwane area and another with three subadult cubs near Dibatana. The local coalition of four males was observed several times. They attempted to hunt a zebra foal but were unsuccessful; however, they later appeared with bloodied faces, indicating a recent kill.
Two males became separated and were seen calling for each other; they eventually regrouped the following morning. Another female cheetah was spotted near the Mokoro Station.
From Camp Chases to Crocodile Clashes
African wild dog sightings were excellent. The resident pack of 26 was frequently observed, including within Rra Dinare camp, where they chased impala and later rested near Tent number one. A pack of four was seen feeding on an impala near Chris’s Island and later hunting again near camp. During one sighting, the dogs were digging near several burrows, possibly preparing to den. The alpha female appeared heavily pregnant.
A separate encounter involved a pack of four chasing impala near Mma Dinare. One impala fawn escaped into the water, only to be caught by a crocodile.
Spotted hyenas were often observed, particularly during nighttime drives. Five were seen feeding on a buffalo carcass left by Tee’s Pride. A brown hyena was briefly spotted near Mmadinare’s backflow. Small carnivores included aardwolves, servals, bat-eared foxes, civets, wildcats, and honey badgers.
Large herds of elephants, giraffes, buffalo, kudus, hippos, wildebeests, impalas, red lechwe, zebras, steenboks, and waterbucks were encountered daily.
Riverbank Life and Skybound Sentries
While most migratory birds had left, resident species such as bateleur, tawny eagle, and African fish eagle were regularly seen. The highlight was a long-crested eagle. Other birds included herons, egrets, cormorants, owls, lapwings, ducks, ibises, larks, and shrikes.
Nile crocodiles were frequently seen along riverbanks. Water monitor lizards were observed during daytime drives, particularly near water bodies.
Water levels stayed adequate for mokoro activities. Guests enjoyed observing waterlilies, aquatic birds, and game animals drinking at the water’s edge. Nature walks provided close-up views of tracks, shrubs, droppings, and other signs of general game activity. Several successful walks were carried out during the month. Night drives produced sightings of servals, wildcats, honey badgers, genets, hyenas, owls, and nightjars.
