The most common lion sightings this month were of the three males – generally resting up and relaxing – not much in the way of activity was issued from them! On the other hand, three lionesses were seen attempting to hunt for zebra, but didn’t have any luck. Spotted hyenas were seen following the moving lions, in the hope that they will have success hunting, and throw a tid-bit to the hyenas in an unlikely fit of generosity…(it is Christmas after all…)
A lot of cheetah sightings this month – sometimes several individuals on one day – with a female feeding on an impala carcass close to the Kwara airstrip, and a male cheetah also found west of Kwando road. A few days later, a different male was seen attempting to hunt reedbuck, but was not successful. The two male brothers were still seen around Splash, mostly resting up during the heat of the day.
Five wild dogs were located in the Splash area. Another six were seen heading north, but we were able to keep pace with them as they moved through the area, investigating. It was a wonderful sighting. The big pack of dogs (26) were also seen this month, and we were able to watch them hunt and kill impala several days in a row! On the 20th, they managed to kill three impalas in one go!
Lovely leopard sightings this month, including a female with her cub. They were both feeding on an impala which they had caught in the Splash area.
Kwando concession, where Lagoon and Lebala camps are located, is normally well known for large herds of buffalo, but this month Kwara also had a huge herd of around four hundred individuals. Attracted to the fresh grass that has grown after the rains, in areas that had previously be burnt, they spent quite a bit of time in the area. Also, we are seeing lots of zebra – up to a hundred in a herd at a time.
We also came upon two honey badgers moving with purpose towards the Kwara staff village – probably about to make an attempt to try and raid the staff kitchen again!
In a Christmas Eve rendition of Disney’s Fantasia, seventeen hippos in the Kwara lagoon leapt, pirouetted and splashed (rather heavily) back into the water. No pink tutus were visible, and the choreography was slightly less co-ordinated, but all seemed to be getting into the spirit of things. It’s not uncommon to see hippos appear to do water-aerobics at dusk, as they seem to get themselves warmed up for their evening excursions, but it’s a little surprising to see so many at once participating.
