Lion sightings remained frequent throughout the concession. Both the eastern and western prides were regularly observed, although there was ongoing territorial instability noted in the eastern section. Guides tracked multiple coalitions moving through the area, and the absence of the resident eastern male continued to create uncertainty.
On one occasion, the three western males ventured deep into eastern territory and confronted three intruding males, successfully pushing them out. However, the situation shifted again when a coalition of two males was discovered mating with an eastern female, indicating a potential takeover attempt.
At one point, a breakaway subgroup from the Kwara pride—comprising one male and three females—was located near a jackal den after being tracked for nearly an hour. Later, they were observed feeding on two buffalo calves near Dicks Crossing. The presence of a large dust cloud suggested a buffalo herd ahead. Hyenas continued to challenge the lions at their kills. One afternoon, two different prides clashed over a reedbuck carcass near the Bat-eared Fox area, which attracted more hyenas and created further commotion.
Triumps, Losses and Relentless Hunts
Leopard viewing throughout the month was productive. Early in the month, a female leopard with three small cubs was initially spotted east of Splash, where she relocated them to protect them from scavengers. However, subsequent checks revealed only the mother, raising concerns about the cubs’ survival.
Toward the end of the month, reports emerged that the resident male, Rra Tsebe, had died. Fortunately, he was later seen alive, though he had minor wounds, confirming that the carcass found belonged to a different male unfamiliar to the area.
Additionally, a female was located high in a tree near Ngorongoro and was tracked for nearly an hour before being found. Another female, known to have lost cubs in the past, was seen intermittently east of Splash. During night drives, a young, relaxed male was recorded patrolling near the airstrip.
Sightings of African wild dogs varied throughout the area. A pack that was denning to the west experienced heavy losses when lions raided their den, leaving only a few surviving pups. Some adults were also lost while trying to defend the den. Despite this tragedy, guides continued to encounter various packs within the concession.
Notably, a group of sixteen African wild dogs was observed hunting near Honeymoon Pan, where they successfully forced an impala into the water before bringing it down. Tracks were regularly spotted and followed, with dogs seen resting at Motswiri Pan on multiple occasions. One pack even spent the majority of a day near the camp. Later, the surviving pups were observed accompanying the adults during hunts, which included a successful kill of a female lechwe.
The night shift never sleeps
Spotted hyenas remained active during this period. Although locating den sites proved to be challenging, a den was confirmed between the firebreak and Buffalo Road. The hyenas frequently confronted lions and were observed displacing the Mmaleitho pride from a wildebeest carcass near the airstrip. During one game drive a kettle of vultures circling overhead indicated something significant was happening below. Upon investigation, fresh buffalo carcasses were discovered, which hyena clans were actively feeding on.
Cheetahs were consistently observed in the area. A mother and her subadult daughter were tracked from Setabana to the eastern Pelican Pan, where they were later seen attempting to hunt reedbuck. A resident lone male moved widely throughout the region, while a two-male coalition that had previously been seen in the concession had not been recorded recently. The female cheetah that was raising three cubs last year returned with only one surviving daughter.
The everyday movement of the Delta
General game remained strong across floodplains and woodlands. Elephant breeding herds and bachelor groups were seen daily, including large concentrations along river systems. Buffalo herds, including one of over 500, utilised the floodplains, and zebra, red lechwe, tsessebe, waterbuck and giraffe were widespread. Hippos occupied the deeper channels, and crocodiles were recorded along waterways.
Smaller mammals added further interest, with sightings of bat-eared foxes, dwarf mongooses, honey badgers and large grey mongooses. A particularly notable sighting involved encountering a pangolin while observing elephants.
Reptiles and amphibians were more active with warmer weather. Black mamba, puff adder, and African rock python were encountered, alongside water and rock monitors. Angolan reed frogs and long reed frogs were identified during mokoro excursions.
Birding was excellent. Southern ground-hornbills were observed in various territories throughout the concession. Secretarybirds were frequently seen, particularly near a nest site close to Bat-eared Fox. We also recorded sightings of martial eagles, long-crested eagles, and western banded snake eagles. The heronries at Gadikwe and Qwobega were home to active nesting sites for yellow-billed storks, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks, pelicans, as well as a variety of herons and cormorants.
Water, Woodland and the Changing Season
Flood levels remained high across much of the concession before slowly receding towards the end of the month. Mopane woodlands and riverine areas began to show early seasonal leaf flush. Night skies were consistently clear, offering excellent stargazing opportunities, including the Southern Cross, Scorpius and the Milky Way.
Activities included productive morning tracking sessions, mokoro excursions yielding frog sightings and waterbird behaviour, and occasional close encounters with elephants and buffalo on guided walks, always managed with caution and appropriate distance.
