September unfolded steadily at Moremi Crossing, marked by relaxed sightings around camp and consistent predator activity along the riverine edges and floodplains. One evening, after a sundowner along the river, a short night drive back towards camp delivered the sighting that quickly became the talking point of the month. An aardvark emerged calmly into view, moving slowly and unbothered by the vehicle. The animal remained relaxed, allowing guests ample time to observe and photograph it before eventually continuing on its way. Given how rarely aardvarks are encountered, it was a memorable and quietly special sighting for everyone present.
Lions were a constant presence throughout the month, with several different prides moving through the area. Tracking played a key role in locating them, with fresh spoor regularly picked up along roads and floodplain edges and followed until the lions were found resting, hunting, or feeding. On multiple occasions, guests were able to observe both hunts and kills. One lioness became particularly familiar around camp, specialising in warthog. Over several days, she dragged a warthog kill beneath the main deck area, where it remained hidden from view. On the third day, an extraordinary interaction unfolded when a crocodile emerged from the river and attempted to claim the remaining carcass. The lioness stood her ground briefly before eventually retreating with only the warthog’s head, later moving off with her cub. It was an unusual and powerful reminder of how closely connected land and water predators are in this environment.
Morning drives were often accompanied by lion roars echoing across the marsh, and on one dawn, the distant whoops of African wild dogs carried across the river from Chief’s Island. Although cheetah were not seen during the month, wild dogs were recorded on the far side of the reserve. A pack of twelve was encountered on two occasions, including one sighting near the hippo pool. To give guests a clearer view, a boat was arranged from camp, allowing the pack to be watched from the water as they moved and rested along the shoreline, a rewarding example of adapting activities to the conditions and sightings.
Hyenas were encountered regularly and became a familiar part of the nightly soundscape. A den was located not far from camp, where cubs were observed playing and interacting around the entrance. Hyena calls were frequently heard after dark, and individuals occasionally passed through camp. Time spent observing the den gave guides the opportunity to share insight into hyena behaviour, including their role in recycling nutrients, something guests found particularly engaging.
Leopard activity remained reliable. A resident leopard was frequently encountered near the old airstrip area and along riverine routes. Tracks were often picked up early in the morning and followed carefully through long grass and shaded cover until the leopard was located lying up or moving through its territory. On one occasion, the leopard was watched stalking impala before abandoning the attempt. Calls were heard around camp during the night and early morning hours, adding to the sense of a predator-rich landscape. One memorable boat-based sighting even revealed a leopard wading through reeds along the river edge, an unexpected and striking moment for those on board.
Zebra, wildebeest, elephant, buffalo, lechwe, reedbuck, impala, tsessebe, warthog, hippo and crocodile were seen daily across floodplains, marshes and bush edges. Old elephant bulls were often found feeding along the river margins, favouring softer vegetation and water lilies, likely due to worn teeth. Impala herds were particularly alert during this period, with rams closely guarding their harems as predator pressure remained high.
Smaller mammals featured strongly on night drives, with civet, genets, serval, spring hare and scrub hare all recorded. Birdlife around camp and along the river was lively and ever-present. Lilac-breasted rollers, go-away birds, spur fowl, Burchell’s starlings, African hoopoes and babblers filled the air throughout the day. Brown-hooded kingfishers provided daily entertainment around the main area, frequently catching frogs and beating them against railings before swallowing them whole. Boat cruises revealed African jacanas moving across floating vegetation with chicks in tow, sacred ibis feeding in shallow water, and regular sightings of fish eagles along the river.
Vegetation began to show subtle seasonal shifts. Sausage trees dropped their deep red flowers, carpeting the sand beneath them, while riverbanks attracted steady concentrations of grazing animals. Water levels slowly began to recede with the increasing heat, though mokoro excursions on the floodplains and motorboat activities on the main channels continued uninterrupted. Fishing was offered, with catfish being the primary species encountered.
Evenings regularly ended with sundowners along the riverbanks, particularly at hippo pool, where guests watched the sun drop behind silhouettes of animals moving through the water. Night skies were often clear, and on several occasions vehicles were stopped, engines switched off, and guests invited to look up as constellations such as Scorpio dominated the sky under a new moon – a quiet, fitting close to days shaped by close encounters, careful tracking, and the steady rhythm of life along the Boro River.
