The resident pride, consisting of five adults and eight cubs, remained active throughout August on the eastern side of the camp. True to their reputation, they continued to specialize in hunting buffalo, with several successful kills recorded during the month. This brought much delight to both guests and guides.
Closer to the camp, a lone resident lioness with two cubs was regularly observed patrolling the area. She was often seen chasing warthogs near the camp’s perimeter, maintaining her territory and ensuring a consistent supply of meals for her young.
The first leopard sighting occurred early in the month during a morning drive. A male leopard was found resting in a tree, initially spotted by one of the team members and then communicated to nearby vehicles.
Later in the month, another male was located after tracks showing a drag mark were discovered along one of the access roads. Following the spoor led to the leopard feeding on a freshly killed red lechwe, which was a rewarding outcome for both the tracking team and the guests.
Den life and delta drama
African wild dogs were observed only once this month, and unusually, it was during a boat cruise. The pack came to the river to drink briefly before disappearing back into the thickets. With the area around the camp now flooded, it was likely that the pack has moved deeper into the game reserve, possibly to establish a den.
Spotted hyenas remained a regular presence, particularly in the early mornings and late afternoons. An active den was located to the southeast of camp, where the nursing female was often seen ushering her pups back into the burrow before heading off to forage.
Early in the month guests enjoyed a special sighting of several young cubs playing near the den entrance — a highlight for the month. Their calls were frequently heard at night and in the early hours, confirming a strong local presence.
Life on the floodplains
Game densities remained healthy across the concession. Herds of buffalo, tsessebe, and impala were commonly seen, providing a steady prey base for the area’s large predators. Walking safaris continued to offer intimate encounters with wildlife, allowing guests to appreciate the finer details of the ecosystem.
Elephants were abundant, with large breeding herds frequently seen around camp in the afternoons. A well-known bull elephant made his regular evening appearances, shaking palm trees in search of ripe nuts — a familiar and impressive routine for those staying in camp.
Nocturnal species such as scrub hares, springhares, African wildcats, large-spotted genets, and water mongooses were regularly observed during night drives. Banded mongooses were also a daily sight around camp, often foraging between tents and near the main area.
Early mornings and evenings were cool, while midday temperatures rose considerably. These conditions encouraged increased animal activity during the cooler hours.
Floodwaters continued to fill the surrounding channels, attracting a vibrant array of birdlife. The abundance of waterfowl and waders added great variety to the month’s sightings.
August offered superb sunset opportunities. Guests often disembarked from vehicles or boats to enjoy refreshments as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden light across the floodplains. Upstream sundowner stops provided particularly scenic views, a memorable part of the Delta experience.
