February opened with strong African wild dog activity across the concession, with a pack of six providing some of the most consistent and dynamic sightings of the month.
Early on, fresh tracks were picked up along Elephant West and followed into a coordinated hunt at Honeymoon Pan, where the pack successfully brought down a waterbuck calf, using the waterhole to their advantage. The scene shifted quickly as a hyena moved in and forced its way into the carcass, managing to steal a large portion before the dogs could finish feeding.
The same pack ranged widely between the eastern areas and Bat-eared Fox, with guides following them over distance as they moved through Willy’s Valley. After briefly losing visual, the pack was relocated again, where two females rejoined the group, showing strong social interaction before continuing to hunt.
Later in the month, the males were found again along Katsotso Road, highly mobile and working through Kalahari apple-leaf woodland. Another group of six was also located near Nari Pan, actively hunting before moving into marsh areas. Additional sightings between Mmoloki Pan and Python Pan reinforced just how much ground these animals were covering.
Big cats across the plains
Lion activity remained steady throughout the month, with multiple prides and coalitions moving between the islands and surrounding plains, often located through a combination of fresh spoor and alarm calls.
The Kwara pride with cubs was tracked moving between Beacon and Satlhana-sa-bojuta, where two lactating lionesses were followed and later relocated with four cubs nearby. The group remained mobile, shifting between resting areas and hunting grounds. Further east, two females and two subadults were found feeding on a wildebeest before leading guides to another female with cubs, all with full bellies.
The subadult group of four, three females and one male, remained active between Springhare City and Willy’s Valley, where they were observed attempting to hunt zebra before settling under large fever berry trees.
Later in the month, the pride was located north of Flame Lily Junction feeding on a tsessebe, while the Mma Leitho pride moved extensively between Pelican, Giraffe and Impala Pans down towards Splash Hippos. This pride was also seen with an additional young male, feeding with them on a giraffe carcass and later joining a hunt on red lechwe.
The Kwara coalition males were encountered several times, including a long tracking session from Bat-eared Fox to Tlhware Pan. One male showed fresh injuries, suggesting recent pressure from incoming males. Additional male movement was noted across the north-east, with scent marking and territorial patrols observed where ranges overlapped.
Leopard activity was confirmed consistently through tracking. Rra Tsebe was followed on more than one occasion, located resting near Motswere Pan and later near Giraffe Pan. Two leopards were found together on Flame Lily Island, both positioned high in trees and relaxed. A resident female continued to operate around Kwara Island, with her presence regularly confirmed through spoor.
Later in the month, three separate leopard sightings were achieved in different areas, all individuals relaxed and providing clear viewing.
Cheetah activity remained focused on the more open plains. A resident male was tracked near Bat-eared Fox and located with a full belly before being followed again on a subsequent day finishing an impala lamb. Another male operating further east was seen hunting near Double Crossing before moving into marsh edges, later feeding near Mmoloki Mabala and continuing eastwards.
Life around the water
General game remained strong across the concession, with zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe, impala and giraffe widely distributed between Bat-eared Fox, Giraffe Pan and Mmoloki Mabala.
Elephants were frequently encountered along Upper Wild Dog through to Lion Pan, while smaller groups of buffalo were located around Tlhware Pan. Red lechwe were common across wetter areas, and sitatunga sightings were achieved during boat excursions along the channels.
Baboon troops were active east of Mmoloki Pan, moving through feeding areas during the day.
Water-based activities continued to add depth to the experience. Mokoro excursions allowed close encounters with frogs and smaller aquatic life, while boat cruises provided access to channels where sitatunga and birdlife were concentrated.
When the sun sets
Night drives produced a range of smaller mammals, including serval, African wild cat, porcupine and springhare, along with genet, civet and mongoose species moving through the concession.
Reptile activity remained steady, with crocodiles and water monitor lizards regularly seen along waterways, alongside bush snakes and pythons. One notable sighting involved birds mobbing a black mamba before it disappeared into cover.
Birdlife remained active throughout, with strong numbers of migratory and resident species including southern carmine and European bee-eaters, rollers, kingfishers, storks and cranes. Raptors and vultures were regularly observed circling above active areas.
Evenings around the firepit brought a quieter close to the day, with the sounds of wildlife moving through the surrounding bush carrying into camp.
