The month opened with one of the most intense sightings of the period, when two male leopards were located engaged in a territorial fight. The confrontation lasted close to thirty minutes, with both animals holding their ground before one eventually retreated with visible injuries, including a bloodied face and deep bite marks around the neck. It was a rare opportunity to witness the physical cost of territory defence at such close range.
Leopard activity remained consistent through the month. A fully grown male was located high up in a tree with an impala carcass, demonstrating the strength required to hoist prey well clear of scavengers. On another occasion, a leopard was followed during a hunt and successfully brought down a warthog, a sighting that required careful tracking and positioning to anticipate the outcome.
Lions continued to provide regular encounters across the concession. A pride of thirteen was frequently located towards the eastern side of Moremi Game Reserve, while a smaller pride of six operated further south. Both groups included cubs, with several sightings centred around their movements and behaviour as they remained close to the adults.
Guides relied on spoor and movement patterns to relocate these prides as they shifted between areas, with multiple sightings occurring across both morning and afternoon drives.
Cheetah activity was centred on the south-western side of the concession, where a male and female were located and followed. The pair showed clear hunting intent, using available cover before accelerating into a chase. The effort resulted in a successful kill of a young impala, providing a complete sequence from tracking to hunt.
African wild dogs testing their chances & hyenas taking control
A pack of six African wild dogs was located during a morning drive, moving with purpose and testing several herds of impala. Although multiple attempts were made, the prey remained alert and managed to evade the hunts. The sighting still offered a clear demonstration of their coordinated hunting behaviour and persistence.
Hyena activity stood out across the concession, with strong numbers encountered regularly. One of the more notable sightings involved six hyenas working together to bring down a wildebeest, showing that they were not only scavenging but actively hunting. Their presence was consistent around predator activity, often arriving quickly at kills and applying pressure on other species.
A concession full of movement
General game remained widespread, with impala, zebra, wildebeest, red lechwe, buffalo, elephant and giraffe seen daily across the concession. Much of this activity centred around open areas and water sources, allowing for consistent viewing throughout drives.
Guests often experienced wildlife directly from camp as well, with animals moving through the surrounding areas during quieter periods of the day.
Night drives produced a range of smaller mammals including genet, civet, porcupine, scrub hare and bushbaby. A resident porcupine and genet were regularly seen near camp during the evenings, adding to the experience around the firepit after dinner.
Reptile sightings included Nile crocodiles and water monitor lizards along the Boro River, which continued to support water-based activity within the concession.
Birdlife and the wider environment
Birdlife remained active, with fish eagles, kingfishers, marabou storks, brown snake eagles, pelicans and cattle egrets commonly seen across the area. The combination of water, grazing and prey species continued to support a balanced and productive ecosystem.
Conditions throughout the month supported productive guiding, with moderate temperatures allowing for extended time on drives. Tracking remained a key part of locating wildlife, particularly in areas where animals moved between open ground and cover.
