Scar Face was a familiar presence around Moremi Crossing during August, and the resident male leopard had a successful run of hunting.
He was found with warthog and impala kills during the month, although keeping them was another matter. Spotted hyenas managed to steal some of his hard-earned meals, continuing the competition between these predators around the camp.
Another female leopard was also seen moving through the area. She was new to guides and considerably more cautious around vehicles.
The Moremi Pride keeps zebra on the menu
Two lion prides used the area during August, the Moremi Pride and the Boi Pride. The 12-member Moremi Pride was seen feeding on several different prey species, including zebra, giraffe and warthog. Two large males held the territory used by the prides and were most frequently found with the Boi Pride.
A solitary lioness was also seen moving through the area. Her visible teats indicated that she was nursing, although her young cubs were not seen during August.
Two packs of African wild dogs
Two groups of African wild dogs moved through the Moremi Crossing area during the month.
One pack numbered eight dogs, while a smaller group of three was also encountered. Guests found the dogs resting during the sightings, taking advantage of the cooler ground between periods of activity.
Elephants feed in front of camp
August afternoons brought increasing numbers of elephants towards the water, with several different breeding herds moving through the area.
Bulls regularly visited Moremi Crossing itself to feed on the palm trees, while others waded into the river to feed directly in front of camp.
Cape buffalo also made use of the waterways. Bachelor bulls were encountered both grazing in the river and during game drives, while a breeding herd was spotted from a boat cruise.
Steenbok were seen throughout the woodland, usually alone but occasionally as pairs. Bat-eared foxes were encountered around Thogo ya Tlou, while both side-striped and black-backed jackals were recorded.
Banded mongooses were regular visitors around camp, and slender mongooses were also seen.
Crocodiles bask along the river
The waterways remained an important part of the wildlife experience at Moremi Crossing.
Nile crocodiles basked along the riverbanks, while water monitor lizards were seen sunning themselves on termite mounds close to the water. Puff adders and black mambas were also encountered during game drives.
The river attracted plenty of birdlife. Spur-winged geese and Egyptian geese were recorded, along with African pygmy geese. Southern ground hornbills and grey hornbills were occasionally seen on game drives.
The month’s lion kills attracted white-backed, lappet-faced, hooded and white-headed vultures, while African fish eagles and tawny eagles were also active.
August Delta
August brought cold, windy mornings, followed by warmer daytime temperatures. As the day heated up, elephants and Cape buffalo increasingly moved towards the water to drink and feed.
After dark, the calls of spotted hyenas were regularly heard around camp, sometimes continuing through the night.
Clear skies around the new moon also made for good stargazing, with the Southern Cross visible overhead and bright planets punctuating the night sky.
