Spotted hyena activity centred around an active den, where four new cubs brought the total to eleven of varying ages. Adult females were regularly found at the den, while others rested in shaded areas nearby or cooled off at the waterholes. Hyenas were also encountered at carcasses throughout the concession, and their numbers and movements reflected a healthy, stable population.
The month unfolded with consistent and rewarding game viewing, shaped by steady tracking and time spent following the movements of a resident pride that remained in the open marsh areas close to camp. The short, fresh grass and open floodplain margins provided excellent visibility, and the pride was encountered regularly. They focused their hunting along the edges of the marsh and adjacent dry ground, where red lechwe and warthog were frequently targeted.
On several occasions, hunts were followed from the initial stalk through to the final rush, with the lionesses working patiently to close the distance before committing to the chase. Cubs accompanied the adults, learning to read the movements of the prey and following closely as the pride moved through the open. Dominant males remained with the group, and their presence was often announced at night by deep contact calls, which carried across the plains and around the camp.
Leopard activity remained strong throughout the month. The resident male was encountered repeatedly as he moved between the riverine fringe and the adjacent woodland, marking and patrolling his territory. Two females were also recorded, each with a single cub. One remained elusive and kept well to cover, while the other was more relaxed and was observed several times hunting and feeding. Impala made up the bulk of their prey, and kills were frequently hoisted into trees, where the cats fed undisturbed.
The resident African wild dog pack, now numbering thirteen individuals including two pups, spent much of their time in the woodland and along the waterholes. They were followed on several hunts, particularly when targeting newly born wildebeest calves. After feeding, the pack often rested near water, where playful interactions were observed, with adults and pups swimming, chasing and regrouping before moving back into cover.
General game remained abundant. Large herds of zebra, wildebeest and impala utilised the open areas around the waterholes, often mixing with giraffe and kudu. Elephants were encountered both in the open and within the mopane woodland, while buffalo moved through in smaller groups. The presence of young animals across several species provided regular opportunities to observe predator–prey interactions.
Smaller mammals featured well, particularly on night drives. A pangolin was sighted again in the same area as the previous month, suggesting a resident individual. Spring hares were regularly recorded, and wild cats were seen both at night and during overcast afternoons. Porcupines, including family groups, were encountered in several areas close to camp.
Reptile activity increased with the warmer, wetter conditions. Large Nile crocodiles were seen basking along the riverbanks and moving between channels and inland waterholes. Water monitor lizards were frequently observed around the water’s edge, and amphibian activity was high, with a variety of frogs calling through the night.
Birdlife was particularly rich. Carmine bee-eaters, swallows, kites, Wahlberg’s eagles and ground hornbills were among the more conspicuous species, and both wetland and woodland habitats supported a wide range of resident and migratory birds.
The landscape was at its most vibrant, with waterholes full, grass short and fresh in the open areas, and woodland thick and green. Flowering plants and an abundance of insects added to the sense of renewal across the concession. Cloud cover was common, limiting stargazing, but the absence of fire and the rising water levels in the channels reflected a stable, productive period for both wildlife and guiding.
