A highlight for the month was a pack of six wild dogs, likely residents, located along Pan Road. Tracking indicated they had hunted the previous night, as all individuals appeared well-fed. The same pack was followed during a successful hunt, where they brought down a male red lechwe. Another pack of seven was also tracked near Mosheshe and Airstrip Road, although only spoor was located within the mopane woodlands.
Lion activity remained strong throughout the month. The resident Mma Mosetlha and Holi prides were frequently spotted. Early in the month, the Mma Mosetlha pride was located along Badisa Route, actively hunting zebras. The Holi pride was seen moving along Impala Road and made an unsuccessful attempt to catch a wildebeest.
A few days later, the Mma Mosetlha pride was observed again along Upper Kwando, resting with two cubs estimated to be between three and a half and four months old, accompanied by two adult males.
The Mma Tsebe pride, which had split from the Holi pride, was found at Zebra Pan, consisting of one sub-adult female and two cubs approximately two and a half to three months old. Observations indicated that this group targeted zebras, warthogs, and wildebeest.
A coalition of three males known as the Golden Boys pushed the previous resident male northward and were observed dominating the southern range, covering areas from Muddy Waters and Water Cut to Segweda, Fallen Baobab, and Halfway Pan. Their range also extended into Zebra Pan and Tsessebe Pan. The coalition was observed feeding on a zebra kill along Badisa Road.
Leopard sightings were excellent and distributed across several locations. Two different females, each with two cubs, were observed repeatedly within one- to two-day intervals. One female and her cubs, estimated at three and a half months old, were located on an impala kill near Water Affairs Island. A second female was found with her cubs on a kill along Mosima wa Diphiri. Two subadult leopards, believed to be hers, were seen finishing off the same carcass. A male leopard was also recorded playing with a tortoise near Airstrip Road, located through effective tracking.
Cheetah sightings remained consistent. The resident coalition of two males was seen resting near First Lagoon and later tracked to Mosheshe Marking Post. They were regularly observed scanning from termite mounds and showed signs of successful hunting. A female with two subadult cubs (estimated at 10 to 12 months old) was also recorded in the area between the two camps.
The previously active hyena den became inactive this month, with no recent sign around the site. However, sightings of spotted hyenas remained good, particularly in the early mornings. Individuals were also observed scavenging around predator kills during drives.
General game was abundant and widely distributed across the area. Large herds of elephants, zebra, eland, giraffe, and wildebeest were encountered regularly. Hippos were seen frequenting inland waterholes away from the main river, with a significant population at Water Affairs. Red lechwe, impala, waterbuck, and side-striped jackals were recorded around the firebreak and throughout the concession. Buffalo herds and towers of giraffe were also noted during brunch periods near the Kwando River.
Smaller mammal sightings included bat-eared foxes, servals, porcupines, aardwolves, steenbok, springhares, bushbabies, and common duikers, many of which were seen during night drives.
Bird activity remained high throughout the month. Notable sightings included a martial eagle on a rock monitor kill near Upper Kwando. Vulture species such as white-headed, lappet-faced, white-backed, and hooded vultures were commonly seen. Secretary birds, tawny and brown eagles, Wahlberg’s eagles, black-shouldered kites, and both yellow and black kites were observed. A range of bee-eaters (European, carmine, white-fronted, and little), rollers (broad-billed and violet-breasted), Bradfield’s and southern ground hornbills, barn swallows, and nightjars were also recorded.
The landscape remained lush and green following good rains. Trees and grasses were fully revived, and the marshes remained saturated. Waterholes across the area were full, providing grazing and drinking points for herbivores.
Night skies revealed seasonal constellations including the Southern Cross, Orion’s Belt, Taurus, Pleiades (Seven Sisters), and Canis Major. The planets Jupiter and Venus were also visible on clearer evenings.
