Leopard sightings were frequent and diverse, with several new males and females observed, although some were particularly shy.
We tracked the dominant male as he stalked baboons and successfully made a kill. We watched him feed, listening to the crunch of bones — likely rib blades — while he ate in the undergrowth.
A male subadult leopard was found near Serala after following the alarm calls of baboons. He had hoisted a kill into a sausage tree and was feeding undisturbed. Meanwhile, a female leopard was tracked for over an hour near Skimmer Pans. She was scent-marking on wild sage and tree stumps as she moved south.
Lion activity was particularly impressive, with several prides and subadults moving through the area. A new young male was observed mating with Striker, the dominant lioness, near the airstrip runway.
A pride of four lionesses was seen hunting north of camp, making three attempts to catch common reedbuck. Despite their coordinated efforts, the hunt was unsuccessful, as side-striped jackals trailed closely behind them, sounding alarm calls and disrupting the ambush.
After tracking roaring calls for approximately forty-five minutes, guides located one of the dominant males from the Golden Boys coalition. He was actively scent-marking and calling. Eventually, he led us to a large pride resting beneath Kalahari apple-leaf trees. This group included five lionesses, two large males (his brothers), and five cubs.
Two subadult lionesses were observed mating with members of the Golden Boys coalition near the airstrip. Meanwhile, three lionesses, accompanied by nine cubs estimated to be four to five months old, successfully hunted a red lechwe. This hunt provided a fantastic opportunity for our lucky guests to film and photograph the pride as they fed.
Cheetahs, African Wild Dogs, and Hyenas in Action
A mother cheetah with two subadults (a male and a female) was found resting under a strangler fig near Lechwe Corner. All three appeared well-fed. We also found the tracks of the two resident male cheetahs were along Whisky Road, confirming they remained active in the area and continued to mark their territory.
The resident pack of eleven African wild dogs were seen near Lechwe Corner, where they attempted to chase after a herd of red lechwe. However, the antelope successfully crossed the river, and the wild dogs eventually abandoned the pursuit.
The alpha female appeared to be pregnant, which supports previous observations of mating behaviour from last month.
Spotted hyena sightings were exceptional, especially during night drives. More than ten individuals were recorded, with four spotted hyenas observed resting at Old Hippo Pools, including one that wallowed in the mud to cool down.
Night drives showcased a variety of smaller species, including African wild cats, African civets, porcupines, scrub hares, springhares, bat-eared foxes, and aardwolves. These elusive nocturnal animals enriched the wildlife experience.
Elephants in the Woodlands, Lechwe on the Floodplains, and Reptiles in the Sun
Dazzling zebras were spotted throughout the woodlands, while large herds of elephants moved across various biomes. On the western side, along Zebra Road, impalas, wildebeests, and elands were abundant. The floodplains supported healthy populations of red lechwe and smaller mammals.
Reptile sightings included crocodiles, which were found in natural waterholes and along the tributaries that still had water from recent rains. Snakes, such as the black mamba and the Mozambique spitting cobra, were observed basking in the sun during the warmer parts of the day.
Birdwatching was especially rewarding this month. Migratory species such as woodland kingfishers, southern carmine bee-eaters, and great white pelicans were still present, bringing brilliant colours and lively activity to the bush.
The vegetation remained lush and green in many areas of the concession, attracting wildlife from the drier woodlands. Turpentine grass and yellow thatching grass grew tall, providing excellent cover for stalking predators. The landscape was particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset, with golden light illuminating the bush during sundowner drives.
Evenings around the fire created a classic safari atmosphere, where guests and guides shared stories and cultural insights under the open sky. On clear nights, stargazing was exceptional, with constellations like Orion’s Belt, the Southern Cross, Taurus, Canis Major, and Canis Minor clearly visible.
