The Mmamosetlha pride, consisting of eight individuals, was regularly observed between the airstrip and Kwena Lagoon. They were often accompanied by the two dominant males, who were occasionally seen taking over kills made by the lionesses. These males were also observed patrolling independently, scent-marking and roaring to assert their territorial presence.
On one morning, two young males were located near camp following a night of roaring. Their tracks were picked up along the airstrip road, leading to a visual. Meanwhile, three large males from the Lebala side—commonly referred to as the Golden Boys—were tracked along Firewood Road as they responded to territorial calls from the Mmamosetlha males. They were eventually seen resting at Tsessebe Pan. These males were often found at a midpoint territory, where they have been seen interacting with three lionesses and five cubs.
The Holi Pride was also active in the area, with several successful hunts observed, including warthog and kudu. At one point, they were seen at Zebra Pan with noticeably full bellies, likely from a sizeable kill such as a zebra or wildebeest.
A resident female leopard and her two subadult cubs were seen frequently, especially around Water Affairs Island and west of the airstrip. She displayed consistent hunting success, often returning to retrieve the cubs after securing a kill. On one occasion, she was followed along the airstrip road where she captured a rutting male impala. That kill was later lost to a spotted hyena during the night.
The following morning, tracks were located which led to a sighting of the trio at Badisa Island, where she made another successful impala kill at Water Affairs Island. Towards the end of the month, they were tracked to the eastern side of Pan Road, feeding on a steenbok carcass. At times, only the cubs were seen near the airstrip while the mother was away hunting. Another female leopard was also seen hunting and killing a bat-eared fox at Zebra Pan.
Cheetah Chases, Hyena Dens, and Wild Dog Pursuits
Two resident male cheetahs remained within the area throughout the month. They were frequently seen around Mosheshe and Second Lagoon, where they successfully hunted impala and, at times, zebra foals. On occasion, they went without a kill for up to two days. A solitary female cheetah was also observed marking in the same areas, possibly tracking the males.
Spotted hyenas were regularly observed during night drives, particularly near the active den at Grass Pan, where small cubs were seen at the entrance of a dead termite mound. Vocalisations were commonly heard during the night. Aardwolves were sighted foraging near First and Second Lagoon, feeding on termites.
African wild dogs were encountered on three occasions. One sighting occurred as they chased impala along Middle Road, eventually resting beneath a Kalahari apple-leaf tree. They were later observed at Segweda Crossing, pursuing greater kudu without success. The following day, fresh tracks were found at Water Cut, and the pack was located shortly thereafter on Old Lebala Road, with visibly full stomachs.
Various small mammals were recorded, including steenboks, black-backed and side-striped jackals, African wild cats, African civets, scrub hares, springhares, and white-tailed mongooses. Nocturnal drives yielded sightings of porcupines and small-spotted genets. A notable highlight was a pangolin sighting in the Maporota Road area just before sunset, offering extended viewing of this rare and endangered species.
Wallowing Bulls, Rutting antelopes and feathered wings
We saw numerous large elephant herds moving toward the river in the late afternoons. Several bulls in musth were observed, evidenced by temporal gland secretions and urine marking. Dagga boys (old buffalo bulls) were frequently seen wallowing in natural waterholes.
Male impalas were highly active during the rut, engaging in constant competition to defend harems, accompanied by loud vocalisations and tail-raising behaviour. Other commonly observed species included wildebeest, red lechwe, waterbuck, steenbok, giraffe, zebra, and warthog. Eland were occasionally seen but remained shy, often fleeing upon approach.
Birdlife remained abundant. A gathering of marabou storks was observed feeding along the river where water levels had receded. African fish eagles, giant kingfishers, and numerous pied kingfishers were frequently seen, the latter often hovering and diving for fish.
Lappet-faced and white-backed vultures were observed finishing off kills made by lions and cheetahs. Other recorded species included wattled lapwings, crowned lapwings, red-crested korhaans, Egyptian geese, and spur-winged geese.
Guided nature walks revealed a variety of insect life, including baboon spiders, harvester termites, Matabele ants, and darkling beetles. Nighttime sightings included centipedes and sun spiders. Peter’s epauletted fruit bats were regularly seen roosting on the curio shop wall and flying to nearby fig trees at dusk.
From shadows to stars and seasonal changes
Nile crocodiles were often seen basking along the riverbank. At one point, several crocodiles were observed feeding on a hippo carcass in muddy water, displaying classic death-roll feeding behaviour. Water monitor lizards were seen along the river’s edge, while rock monitors were located both on the ground and in trees.
An Eastern bark snake was found well camouflaged on the trunk of a leadwood tree, and an African rock python was encountered on Pangolin Road during a night drive.
Clear night skies allowed for excellent stargazing. Early in the evening, constellations such as Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and the Southern Cross were visible, along with prominent stars like Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Bellatrix. Planets observed included Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Mercury.
With the onset of winter, many deciduous trees began to shed their leaves due to shorter daylight hours and reduced chlorophyll production. Grasses were starting to dry out, signalling the seasonal transition across the landscape.
