During an afternoon game drive, four lions were observed resting under a large sausage tree. After some time, two mature buffalo bulls approached the area. The lions showed interest and began to initiate an ambush strategy, lying low in the tall grass.
We waited patiently and eventually heard sounds of stumbling through the tall grass, expecting the buffalo to be approaching. To our surprise, a female warthog emerged, running for her life with all four lions in pursuit. Although she initially managed to escape, unbeknownst to her, she ran directly toward a separate lion pride that had been sleeping nearby. Startled, the second pride joined the chase.
The warthog sought refuge inside a burrow, which seemed to be a den where she was hiding her young. The lions began to dig. After several minutes, six out of seven lions lost interest and moved away; however, one determined subadult lioness continued excavating. She ultimately reached the warthog, dragged her out, and suffocated her until she became motionless. Unexpectedly, one of the piglets exited the burrow at high speed. The lioness abandoned the adult warthog and chased down the piglet, successfully killing it. During this distraction, the adult warthog regained consciousness and managed to escape. The piglet, however, did not survive.
On one evening during the month, resident male lions spent hours roaring around camp, a behaviour that often suggests territorial displays or responses to nearby intruders. The next morning, tracking efforts led to a peaceful scene where the males were resting alongside a lioness and three cubs, showing no visible signs of stress. Additionally, another lion pair was observed mating over several days, indicating the dynamic and active social structures among the local prides.
Have you met scarface?
Leopard sightings were a little more difficult this month due to the dense vegetation, which provided effective camouflage for these solitary predators. Despite this, a few individuals were encountered, albeit briefly, before disappearing into the thickets.
A particularly successful afternoon occurred near Xaxaba airstrip, where fresh male leopard tracks were identified. After explaining tracking methods to guests, the team located the leopard and managed to capture several photographs before it retreated into the woodland. Another notable sighting included a male known as “Scarface,” who typically exhibits a calm demeanour. On this occasion, he demonstrated hunting behaviour while attempting, unsuccessfully, to catch a reedbuck.
The resident pack of 23 African wild dogs were seen twice in January. The first sighting involved the pack moving past the camp toward a nearby lagoon, likely seeking water during a period of extreme heat. The second sighting occurred near Xhaxhaba airstrip, where the dogs were found resting under a sausage tree with visibly full stomachs, indicating a recent hunt. Nearby, a few of the pack’s pups were seen playing with the remains of an impala.
Spotted hyenas continue to play a critical ecological role as scavengers, cleaning up carcasses left behind by other predators. Due to the high predator density in the area, hyena activity was also elevated.
The abundance of predators correlated with large numbers of impalas, red lechwes, buffalo and zebras. Around the main Boro River channel and camp area, additional species, including giraffes, elephants, reedbuck, hippos, and warthogs, added to the rich biodiversity of our sightings.
Seasonal shifts and Biodiversity
Notable sightings included honey badgers, various mongoose species, African civets, servals, and African wildcats. Each sighting required patience and a bit of luck, given their elusive nature.
Reptilian activity increased with the warmer weather. Various species were seen moving through the tall grasses, while others fell prey to raptors. Notable reptiles included monitor lizards and several snake species. Bird-reptile interactions were documented, highlighting the complex dynamics of the food chain.
Bird diversity was notably high due to abundant water and lush vegetation. Both aquatic and terrestrial bird species flourished, including colourful waders and various “LBJs” (little brown jobs), along with birds of prey. Their presence added to the vibrancy and acoustic backdrop of the delta ecosystem.January brought dramatic late afternoon thunderstorms that cleared the air. These rains caused significant flooding in the main channel and surrounding floodplains, a rare occurrence for this time of year. The influx of water revitalised the delta, bringing prosperity to flora and fauna alike. Many species gave birth during this period, benefiting from the abundant food and water supply. While clear night skies were occasionally visible, extended periods of cloud cover and rain dominated the month.
(Please note: For the safety of the animals, we do not disclose the precise location of either rhino or pangolin sightings. Accompanying pictures are from our Kwando Photo Library, which includes all your great photo submissions over the years. It may not be the most up-to-date, but we felt it was worthy of a feature alongside this month’s Sightings Report!)
