African wild dogs provided one of the highlights of the month. A pack of 13 was observed in action as they took down an impala right in front of our vehicle. The scene was fast-paced, intense, and an incredibly fortunate experience for the guests who were able to witness the entire sequence, from the chase to the final moments. The dogs appeared strong and in good condition, and sightings like these remind us of how special this area is for predator activity.
Lion activity was strong this month. We heard their calls most nights—deep, resonant roars carrying across the floodplains and often sounding like they’re just beyond the edge of camp. Although no kills were recently seen, there were several good sightings after picking up fresh tracks and following them for a short while during morning or afternoon drives. The lions were mostly resting when we found them, but they appeared healthy and alert.
Stolen dinners and spotted drama
Another exciting sighting was when we found a fresh impala kill stashed in a tree, with a leopard feeding early in the morning. It was an excellent sighting that allowed everyone to get a great view of one of the more elusive predators.
Spotted hyenas were regularly observed, often in pairs or alone, during early morning or evening drives. We also saw several cubs with adults near what appears to be an active den. Guests frequently spotted them as they became more active after dark, with the occasional hyena wandering through the camp just after sunset. At one waterhole, three hyenas were seen confronting wild dogs over a carcass, but they were unsuccessful in claiming it.
Grazers, Gliders, and Glistening Channels
There was a significant amount of game moving through the concession, particularly near the main channel. Buffalo, reedbuck, red lechwe, giraffe, elephants, warthogs, and hippos have all been spotted regularly—often from the camp. The high concentration of prey species contributed to the increased sightings of predators as well.
Steenboks appeared along the road often, while servals and civets were often seen at dusk. On night drives, we frequently glimpsed bush babies and spring hares.
Monitor lizards were fairly active, especially near the water. A few different snake species were also seen, sometimes being carried off by raptors as a morning snack.
Birdwatching was fantastic, with the area around the channels and camp bustling with vibrant calls and flashes of color. This month, we spotted notable species including wattled cranes, various kingfishers, and birds of prey such as Verreaux’s eagle-owl, alongside many familiar wetland birds. Guests on mokoro and boat outings have had particularly good sightings of aquatic bird species.
With good rainfall, the channels filled up nicely and mokoro outings were once again possible— the scenery was stunning, with reflections of flooded grasses and plenty of birdlife along the way.
