Early in the month, guides worked fresh tracks through the Kalahari apple-leaf woodland between Beacon and Satlhana sa Bojuta, eventually locating the Kwara pride with cubs moving through thicker cover. After following spoor over distance, two lactating females were found resting south of Beacon and later relocated with four cubs nearby. The group remained mobile, shifting between resting sites and feeding areas, including a wildebeest kill further east which led guides to another female with cubs, all feeding and in good condition.
Subadult members of the pride, three females and their brother, were encountered across a wide range from Springhare City to Willy’s Valley. They were followed during an attempted zebra hunt between Impala Pan and Sekgapa sa Khudu before settling later under fever berry trees.
As the month progressed, the pride was again located north of Flame Lily Junction feeding on a subadult tsessebe, confirming continued hunting success across the area.
At the same time, the Mma Leitho pride remained active across Pelican, Giraffe and Impala Pans through to Splash Hippos. This pride was seen feeding on a giraffe carcass and later attempting to hunt red lechwe, although the terrain worked against them. A young male was observed moving with the pride on more than one occasion, suggesting shifting social dynamics.
Territorial pressure remained evident throughout the month. A coalition of three males from the west was seen pushing into central areas, chasing a resident male from Mmoloki Mabala towards Double Crossing. In another encounter, resident males were found scent marking, reinforcing their position within contested ground.
Lions were also encountered moving directly through camp areas, including the Enclave and surrounding pathways, before settling overnight between the staff village and workshop.
Leopard activity remained consistent across the concession, with regular sightings in key areas around the islands and linking roads.
Rra Tsebe was located resting in a sausage tree, and on another occasion was found near Mathajwa Link, again positioned above ground. The resident female continued to operate around Mabala Matotse and Kwara Island, with her movements frequently confirmed in the area, including those of a cub.
Later in the month, multiple leopard sightings were achieved across different areas, with individuals relaxed and often found in elevated resting positions.
Hunters and scavengers
African wild dogs remained active across both eastern and western sections of the concession.
A pack of five was followed near Honeymoon Pan as they attempted to hunt impala, although the terrain limited vehicle access and the hunt was not fully observed. Smaller groups were also encountered, including two individuals resting near Impala Pan.
A separate pack of six, known to operate across sandveld areas, was observed feeding on impala and, on one occasion, a large male kudu near Willy’s Valley. Their movement patterns showed regular shifts between woodland and open areas, often influenced by lion presence.
Cheetah sightings remained centred around Bat-eared Fox and surrounding plains.
Two individuals were located mating along Motopi Road, with the resident male identified alongside a female previously seen with a cub. Additional sightings across the month confirmed regular movement through the area, with individuals using open ground to hunt and patrol.
Elsewhere, resident males were tracked across the western plains and found feeding on impala or moving between hunting grounds, maintaining a steady presence throughout the month.
Spotted hyenas were encountered mainly along transit routes, particularly in the early mornings and evenings.
One notable sighting involved hyenas feeding on the remains of an elephant carcass in the Bat-eared Fox area, likely originating from a lion kill. Other encounters involved shy individuals moving between Mabala and the airstrip, often detected through tracks before visual contact.
Dazzling zebras and resting servals
General game remained widely distributed, with zebra, impala, wildebeest, red lechwe and tsessebe seen across both eastern and western areas.
Large dazzles of zebra were common, often numbering between 50 and 150 animals, while elephants moved in good numbers between channels and feeding areas. Giraffe, waterbuck and smaller antelope such as steenbok and reedbuck were also regularly encountered.
Troops of baboons were active east of Mmoloki Pan, foraging throughout the day.
Night drives added variety, producing sightings of serval, African wild cat, porcupine, springhare and mongoose species. One serval was notably located resting in a tree near Lion Pan, while others were encountered moving through thicker cover.
Reptile activity included black mamba, boomslang, olive grass snake and python, alongside terrapins and leopard tortoises. On one drive, birds were observed mobbing a black mamba before it disappeared into the grass.
Birdlife remained strong, with an increase in wading species across shallow pools and channels.
Slaty egrets, black herons, night herons and little bitterns were regularly seen, alongside raptors such as martial eagle and Wahlberg’s eagle. Queleas gathered in large numbers in response to seed availability, adding movement across the grasslands.
Mokoro excursions provided sightings of painted reed frogs, water monitors and fish, while nature walks focused on tracking lion, leopard, hippo and elephant spoor. Additional detail included mole rat activity and fresh aardvark excavations, offering insight into smaller ecosystem processes.
