A kill stolen in minutes – one of the more interesting sightings unfolded during a morning drive after guides picked up fresh leopard tracks along the airstrip. The tracks were followed for close to thirty minutes before a male leopard was located beneath a large jackalberry tree with an impala kill. Within minutes, a brown hyena approached, having clearly picked up on the opportunity. The hyena moved in confidently, forcing the leopard off the carcass and taking control of the kill. It was a clear example of how quickly dominance can shift, and how opportunistic brown hyenas can be when given the chance.
Spotted hyenas were seen regularly through the month, particularly around Water Affairs Island and the Second Lagoon area. A clan of seven spotted hyenas was also observed moving along the main road, while individuals were frequently seen attempting to steal from other predators. Two individuals in particular were recognised repeatedly, allowing for close observation of their movements across the area.
Lions remained a constant presence around camp and across the concession. The Holi Pride was seen in different areas, with subadults, estimated at around one and a half years old, located along the Cheetah marking route where they were observed hunting and successfully killing impala. On another occasion, lions were followed along the Upper Kwando Road, where they brought down a zebra foal.
A lioness was also located and led guides to her cubs, estimated at around six weeks old. Further south-east, a group of three males, often referred to as the “golden boys”, was tracked for over an hour before being found on a giraffe carcass, which they fed on for several days. In the northern areas, a coalition of two males took over the Mma Mosetlha Pride and was located on several occasions feeding on buffalo carcasses.
Pressure across the food chain
Leopard activity remained strong, with a female located along Skwechekweche heavily pregnant and feeding on an impala kill. Based on her condition, guides expected her to den soon. Subadult male leopards were also followed, and one was seen successfully bringing down a steenbok. Towards the end of the month, a male leopard was located west of Second Lagoon resting in a tree, with lions positioned not far from the same area.
Cheetahs were encountered on several occasions. Two resident males were active across both Lagoon and Lebala areas. A female with a cub, estimated at between three and four months old, was followed for over an hour before successfully hunting and bringing down an impala. On another drive, two separate cheetah sightings were worked, with fresh tracks followed for close to two hours before the animals were located hunting and killing a subadult waterbuck.
African wild dogs remained active throughout the month. A resident pack of eight was often found near the airstrip resting beside a waterhole before becoming active as temperatures dropped. On one occasion, they were followed during a hunt which resulted in a successful impala kill. The same pack was also seen moving close to camp and along the gate area.
A second pack of eleven moved through the area intermittently, while a larger pack of sixteen was noted further west, often hunting along the airstrip before moving back into mopane woodland.
General game remained strong, particularly in the southern areas around Giraffe Pan where good numbers of zebra, wildebeest, tsessebe and giraffe were seen. Elephants were frequently encountered around waterholes, while hippos were concentrated along the river, especially around Water Affairs Island. Sitatunga were also located along the river, along with red lechwe, impala, kudu and sable.
Birding remained productive, with species such as broad-billed roller, woolly-necked stork, saddle-billed stork and wattled crane seen along the river. Woodland, grey-headed and brown-hooded kingfishers were all recorded regularly.
Reptile activity increased, with crocodiles and water monitor lizards seen along the Kwando River and surrounding channels. Frog activity was also high, with bullfrogs active during the evenings.
Night drives produced sightings of bat-eared fox, yellow mongoose and steenbok in more open areas, while aardwolf were located in the northern sections.
Evenings around the firepit remained a consistent highlight, with guests gathering after dinner while the sounds of the surrounding bush carried through camp.
