December at Lagoon unfolded through steady tracking and familiar routes, as predator movements shifted across the concession following the early rains. The two male cheetahs, Boiki and Boyboy, were encountered frequently and became a familiar presence. Their movements followed established marking posts, particularly around Maheke Mosheshe, where fresh signs were often checked. Several successful hunts were recorded, mostly involving impala lambs, wildebeest calves, and tsessebe calves. North of the concession, especially around Second Lagoon, the brothers made a number of kills in open areas where extended viewing was possible. On one occasion near Tsessebe Pan, a tsessebe calf was taken before lions and hyenas moved in to claim the carcass. Ostrich hunts were also recorded along their southern patrol routes, reflecting their adaptability during the calving season.
Lion activity was consistent throughout the month, with three different groups followed closely. North of camp, the Pale Pride became a regular focus after a coalition of two new males displaced the Ralebante males and settled into the area. This pride included several lionesses with two male cubs nearing a year old, and their movements were monitored as they adjusted to the change in dominance. Another pride was encountered repeatedly along the northern channel near camp, hunting along the riverine edge and eventually making a kill close to the army camp. A blond-maned male moving with three lionesses was also tracked crossing the lagoon near camp, and his presence was often confirmed at night by contact calls carrying across the channel. One of the older females from the original Holi Pride continued to feature prominently, moving with six subadults that spent extended periods hunting on the islands directly in front of camp. These young lions operated largely independently and proved highly effective, taking zebra and buffalo on several occasions, as well as an eland near Tsessebe Pan. They were relocated repeatedly near Mmamosetha, often resting close to earlier kill sites, while the wider Holi Pride remained a regular part of game viewing, particularly when feeding.
Leopard sightings were steady and rewarding, with at least six individuals identified moving through the area over the course of the month. Tracking focused on river crossings, islands, and well-used game paths, where signs of patrol and hunting were frequently picked up. Dominant males were located several times on territorial patrol, while other individuals were observed resting, feeding, and mating. Some encounters were brief, but others allowed for longer observations as leopards lay up during the heat of the day.
African wild dogs were particularly active, with multiple packs moving through the area. A resident splinter pack of nine, made up of seven adults and two puppies, was encountered regularly north of Kwena Lagoon and around the first and second lagoons. This group formed after denning, when three females bonded with four incoming males believed to have originated from a northern pack seen earlier in the year. Their hunting success was notable, with adults regularly feeding the puppies after impala and wildebeest calf kills. A second, larger pack of sixteen, including eight adults and eight older puppies, moved south through the concession after several kills at Cutline Pan before heading into mopane woodland along Ipelegeng Road. A third pack, associated with Lebala, was tracked near the airstrip and along Tsoroski Road towards Zebra Pan. Although reduced to three remaining puppies from a larger litter, the pack continued to hunt successfully, including individuals carrying old injuries. A smaller group of three adults was also recorded and on one occasion lost a kill to the cheetahs.
Hyena activity was widespread and highly visible. An active brown hyena den was confirmed on Second Lagoon Island, with a female and her young observed from a distance. The adult was located several times scavenging and hunting west of the lagoon, including one evening when she was seen taking a jackal pup near denning sites. Spotted hyenas were present throughout the concession, with three active dens recorded. A long-established den at Mosheshe remained occupied for much of the month, with an estimated thirty individuals. Another den along Marapo a Thuthwa and Maporota Roads held around fifteen members with numerous cubs. The largest den, located in Cheetah Valley, was vacated following heavy storms that brought down several large trees. Mobile hyenas were frequently encountered on patrol, cooling off at waterholes or moving through Grass Pan and Zebra Pan during wet nights, leaving clear evidence of hunting activity.
Smaller mammals featured well, particularly bat-eared foxes, which were found denning widely across floodplains and mixed woodland with litters of around four pups. Both black-backed and side-striped jackals were common, often seen with young. African wild cats, genets of both species, porcupines, honey badgers, and bush babies were all recorded during night drives, and a caracal was located along Pangolin Road after dark.
Elephant movements shifted following rainfall, but large herds were recorded north of camp and west towards Ipelegeng and the Sepache area. Breeding herds with calves, along with bachelor groups, were regularly found along woodland edges. Buffalo herds responded quickly to the rains, moving deeper into mopane woodland and towards the Mvumbi Valley, with only small bachelor groups remaining near major waterholes.
General game was abundant, with plains species actively calving throughout the month. Impala lambs, tsessebe calves, wildebeest calves, and warthog piglets were frequently encountered, contributing to increased predator activity across the concession.
Birdlife was exceptional, with both aquatic and woodland species present in high numbers. Early-arriving migrants settled in to breed, including carmine bee-eaters, black kites, rollers, herons, storks, and black-bellied bustards. Raptors were active, with nesting eagles and an increase in falcons and kestrels, including red-necked falcons. Vultures of all species were recorded at carcasses, and over a hundred individuals gathered at an elephant carcass south of the area, remaining for several days. Second Lagoon produced particularly rewarding morning birding, with sightings of Allen’s gallinule, jacanas, coucals, herons, cranes, and a variety of finches.
Reptile activity centred around water, with crocodiles regularly basking along riverbanks and younger individuals moving into inland waterholes. Monitor lizards of both species were common, and snakes including pythons, puff adders, and grass snakes were recorded. Frog activity increased noticeably at night, with reed frogs, river frogs, platannas, and toads calling from flooded areas.
Insect life responded quickly to the rains, with cicadas, crickets, dragonflies, antlions, termites, velvet mites, centipedes, and millipedes all active. Several evenings were marked by large emergences of flying termites drawn to camp lights.
Waterholes filled and remained full, shaping daily movements and guiding decisions. Vegetation responded rapidly, with grasses growing tall, trees fully leafed, and flowers carpeting the ground, creating a productive and vibrant landscape that defined the month at Lagoon.
