Lion sightings were consistently strong throughout the month across the concession. The Kwara Pride split into two family units. The three dominant males were frequently seen north and west of the Bat-Eared Fox Den. Tracks of two lionesses were followed into tall grasses, eventually revealing them resting.
During an afternoon game drive, vultures circling near this location led to the discovery of a carcass where 14 lionesses and four cubs were feeding on a zebra. Several days later, eight lionesses and four cubs were found again in nearby thickets. Additionally, a young male and a subadult female from the Mopane Pride were located to the west of Kwara Camp.
Continuing along Maporota Road, we found lions resting at Peter’s Crossing near the water. One lioness was feeding on a zebra carcass while a hyena waited nearby.
We also spotted two dominant males from the One-Eye Pride after following alarm calls from side-striped jackals. They were observed resting beneath an African ebony tree.
Two new lionesses were seen integrating with the resident males near Mabala a Matlotse. These lionesses were attempting to hunt zebra and impala but were unsuccessful. The Maleitho Pride remained active west of camp, with the resident female raising her young. This pride was also found feeding on a zebra carcass at Jackal Pen. An injured solitary male was seen limping at Mmoloki Pans with a fresh wound on his hind leg. A lioness and her brother were observed scavenging from a dead elephant carcass, while marabou storks and hyenas waited their turn, respecting the feeding hierarchy.
Leopard sightings were also frequent. A resident female leopard and her cub were located north of Splash Camp. The female had made a kill of a side-striped jackal and appeared relaxed within camp boundaries. The cub was in good condition. A solitary male was also seen in the area and another female was spotted moving through tall grass west of Willy’s Pan.
Two male cheetahs were observed on multiple occasions. Initially, they were located east of the Ngorongoro Plains, resting beneath a sausage tree. Later, they were seen flushing out and playing with a young reedbuck, while the mother returned briefly before fleeing the scene. Guests found it difficult to watch the cheetahs’ instictive behavior as they prolonged the hunt.
In another instance, the pair was tracked north of Splash Hippos and then located again near Baboon Island, responding to the alarm calls of baboons. They were actively hunting but had no success.
Wild dog activity was observed throughout the month. A pack of 21 was seen less frequently, suggesting a decrease from their previous count of 27 individuals. This reduction might be attributed to territorial disputes or intra-specific competition with lions. Additionally, a smaller pack of four was frequently spotted, often engaged in high-speed chases. One sighting involved a failed attempt to catch an impala near Middle East Road. Another pack was briefly seen chasing impala north of Impala Pan before they disappeared into thick vegetation.
Hyena sightings were consistent throughout the month. The southwest den remained active, with four puppies observed. During one drive, four adults were spotted establishing a latrine site along Maporota Road. Later in the month, the den was revisited, and all four pups were seen, two of which were still quite small.
Two hyenas were seen near Dikgokolong Plains earlier in the month. Later, a clan was observed scavenging from a carcass north of Room 12 at Splash during a night drive. A nursing female was seen feeding on an elephant carcass, and at the end of the month efforts were ongoing to locate a nearby den.
General game was plentiful throughout the concession. Antelope species such as red lechwe, waterbuck, impala, kudu, and wildebeest were frequently encountered. Giraffes, zebras, and elephants were seen regularly, especially during the afternoons. Buffalo sightings were fewer, likely due to their movement into more remote areas with greater water availability.
Birding was fantastic during the month. Regular sightings included yellow-billed storks, southern carmine bee-eaters, tawny eagles, white-backed vultures, woodland kingfishers, and lilac-breasted rollers. Marabou storks and vultures gathered at carcass sites, particularly around the dead elephant near Room 12. Greater white egrets were observed in courtship display near seasonal pans. Ground hornbills were seen hunting snakes. A flock of woolly-necked storks was recorded near the Bat-Eared Fox Den.
Smaller mammals were regularly observed, especially on night drives. Springhares, African civets, servals and African wildcats were seen, with one wildcat noted near the camp entrance. Honey badgers were located near fruiting trees east of Splash.
Reptile sightings included leopard tortoises and rock monitors, particularly during guided walks. A spotted bush snake was seen near the airstrip bridge. Crocodiles were occasionally recorded near pans. Amphibian activity increased with rainfall; species included bullfrogs, banded rubber frogs, bubbling kassinas, and Okavango hinged terrapins, which in turn attracted numerous waterbirds.
The landscape across the concession was lush and green, with wildflowers in red and yellow bloom attracting insects and ostriches. The scent of wild basil, sage, and various mushrooms was prevalent around seasonal pans. Rainclouds and rainbows provided striking skies, and the overall environment remained vibrant and active throughout the month.
