For all the lions, leopards and African wild dogs moving through the area, July’s standout animal was considerably smaller and covered in scales.
Pangolins were seen twice during the month, making for particularly special encounters. These predominantly nocturnal mammals can cover considerable distances while foraging for ants and termites, using their powerful claws to open nests before feeding with their long, sticky tongues.
The sightings added something very different to a month already packed with predator activity.
Lions feast on zebra
A pride of 12 lions accompanied by two large males was regularly encountered during July, sometimes being seen every few days.
On one occasion, guides found the pride feeding on a freshly killed zebra. With so many lions gathered around one carcass, feeding could become a noisy affair as individuals competed for access to the meat.
African wild dogs were also active. A pack of eight was seen crossing water, while another group of three moved through the area.
Spotted hyenas were encountered frequently, and their calls were regularly heard after dark. Several animals were found together towards the end of the month.
Leopards pair up
Two leopards provided another of July’s interesting predator stories when they were found together and subsequently seen mating on several occasions.
Leopards are normally solitary, so males and females generally spend prolonged periods together only around mating. Being able to relocate the pair allowed guests to follow this temporary association over several sightings rather than witnessing a single encounter.
Servals and large-spotted genets were among the smaller nocturnal predators seen on evening drives, while springhares were regularly encountered after sunset.
Elephants shake the palms around camp
Elephants were seen almost daily, including the familiar bulls around camp.
Their attention regularly turned to the palm trees, which they shook while foraging, providing plenty of entertainment for guests watching from camp. As the flood reached its peak, wildlife movements increasingly reflected the changing balance between expanding waterways and the remaining dry ground.
The dry sections also became more open as winter progressed, making it easier to see animals moving through the vegetation.
The Boro Channel fills again
Water levels rose rapidly during July as the main Boro Channel filled and water spread into its smaller tributaries.
This was an excellent time to be out on the water. Crocodiles basked along the Boro Channel during the warmer part of the morning, while African openbills gathered near the boat station to feed on freshwater snails. African fish eagles and saddle-billed storks were also regularly seen around the waterways.
With the flood at its peak, some of the usual game-drive routes became inaccessible. Permission was granted to open additional roads on the Moremi Game Reserve side, allowing guides to adapt game drives to the changing water levels.
There were no fires recorded during the month, and the combination of high floodwater, cool winter weather and abundant wildlife made July a fascinating time to see the Boro landscape at its wettest.
