Initially, the female lioness with the two young cubs seemed to be keeping apart a little from the rest of the pride. The two lionesses with six cubs were seen with the two males, with one of the males mating with the third female. A little later, and they all seemed a bit more comfortable with each other cubs and females feeding on a warthog kill. One of the males relaxed nearby.
By the middle of the month, all the cubs and adult lions were happy enough to be together. We found 16 of them near Lechwe Corner, looking hungry, and determined to find something to eat. The cubs trailed their mother, mewing a little. The next day, returning to the same area, we found that they had managed to kill a buffalo. For two days, they alternately fed and relaxed around the buffalo carcass. At one point, there were 11 cubs running all over the place, playing and chasing each other. The adult lions tried to rest as much as they could! The surrounding trees were full to overflowing with vultures, waiting patiently for the departure of the lions.
Sundowners were being enjoyed near a pan one early evening, when huge roaring growls were heard from nearby. Quickly packing up and climbing back onto the vehicle, we soon came upon two male lions who were fighting over the rights to court a lioness that was in oestrus. Quite boneshaking stuff! Another sundowner stop was interrupted later in the month when 5 wild dogs ran past all the guests drinking their gin and tonics!
A female leopard killed an impala, and stashed it under a tree for herself and her two cubs to feed on. The cubs seemed more intent on playing around rather than eating. Perhaps they should have concentrated a bit more on their meal, as soon, a pack of 13 wild dogs appeared, and chased the leopard off the kill. The mother and her cubs climbed up the tree to get away from the dogs, and the dogs quickly devoured their free meal. A day or so later, and another female leopard tried to stand her ground against a hyena who was trying to steal her kill. Despite a valiant attempt to defend, she eventually retreated, with the hyena winning the meat.
It was all action at Half Way Pan as well, with two lionesses stalking kudus. They missed their chance, and the kudus escaped. Just near by, the pack of 13 dogs made a chase of a warthog, but they too missed the kill. Throughout the month we had excellent sightings of the pack of wild dogs – including one day where two packs – a total of 27 dogs were seen!
And a surprise sighting this month of a female cheetah, close to Twin Pools. We found her resting on top of a termite mound. She was very relaxed, and spent a lot of time trying to wash blood of her fur – she had been eating something next to the mound, but we could not make out what it was.
