A major highlight this month was a rare sighting of an aardvark.
For a long time, only tracks and burrows had hinted at its presence. However, during one morning game drive, we set out in the early hours while it was still dark to increase our chances of spotting nocturnal animals. That decision paid off when we came across the aardvark foraging! An incredible experience for both our team and our guests.
Lion activity remained consistent, with sightings reported almost daily. A pride of 13 lions was frequently seen in the eastern part of the Moremi Game Reserve. The presence of cubs within the pride made for especially engaging sightings, as guests were treated to interactions between the cubs and the adults.
Leopard sightings were strong this month, with most individuals observed on the ground and at least one resting in a tree. One particularly memorable moment occurred when a leopard was seen stalking a herd of impalas. Although the attempt was unsuccessful, it was exciting for guests to witness such stealth and strategy firsthand.
Hunting Hyenas!
Spotted hyenas were seen regularly throughout the concession. One extraordinary sighting involved two hyenas taking down a buffalo — a highly unusual display of predation for a species often associated with scavenging. Just days later, the same pair was observed successfully bringing down a wildebeest near camp, confirming their increasingly bold hunting behaviour.
A pack of 21 African wild dogs was sighted on several occasions within the concession. Each encounter involved the pack actively hunting, which made them highly mobile and exciting to follow. Although no kills were observed this month, their coordinated movement and behaviour still offered dynamic and engaging game viewing.
The Gunn’s Private Concession remained rich in general game. Guests frequently saw large herds of impala, zebra, wildebeest, red lechwe, along with groups of hippos and buffalo. The area surrounding camp offered excellent game viewing without the need to drive out. At any time from the main area, it was common to spot at least three different species, often including elephants, zebras, and buffalo.
Night drives revealed an abundance of smaller nocturnal creatures. Sightings included genets, porcupines, scrub hares, bushbabies, and African civets.
The End of the Rains and Dramatic Skies
Following the recent rains, water levels in the river channels returned to normal, bringing renewed life to aquatic reptiles. Nile crocodiles and monitor lizards were seen basking along the banks, taking advantage of the restored habitats after the previous drought conditions.
Birding was excellent throughout the month, with a wide variety of species recorded. Notable sightings included African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, marabou storks, brown snake eagles, pelicans, cattle egrets, and a range of other water and raptor species, particularly around the channels and lagoons.
As the rainy season neared its end, the weather remained variable, with a mix of sunny, cloudy, and rainy days. These conditions often created dramatic skies, resulting in breathtaking sunrises and sunsets — perfect for photography and for simply taking in the beauty of the Okavango Delta landscape.
