A notable sighting occurred one morning during a game drive when guides encountered five male lions engaged in a territorial dispute. Two intruding males had ventured into the area dominated by a coalition of three males. A physical altercation ensued, with the intruders ultimately retreating from the area, outmatched and outnumbered. No injuries were observed, but the intensity of the encounter demonstrated the volatile dynamics of lion territorial behaviour.
During a late afternoon drive towards Sand Beach Island, guides were alerted to predator activity by the alarm calls of francolins. Investigating the direction of the calls, they discovered a leopard in the process of subduing an impala under dense shrubbery. The commotion attracted nearby baboons and several bird species, all raising alarm calls. This activity drew the attention of a spotted hyena, which suddenly appeared, seized the impala carcass, and quickly made off with it. The leopard, visibly startled, abandoned the scene and climbed a nearby tree, observing the loss from above.
The overall game-viewing remained strong throughout the month. Elephant, zebra, and impala carcasses were found, presumed to have resulted from natural causes. These carcasses attracted numerous scavengers, including hyenas and large groups of vultures, providing guests with excellent sightings of these opportunistic feeders. Antelope species such as red lechwe and reedbuck were observed in good numbers near water sources.
The vegetation across the concession remained green, although the effects of the dry spell were beginning to show. Natural water pools remained full from earlier seasonal rainfall, creating an attractive habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic species. The floodplains supported strong concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, and semi-aquatic antelope.
Birding was productive and included high numbers of summer migrants. European rollers and southern carmine bee-eaters were observed frequently, often hunting insects in open areas. Resident species remained active around water sources and thickets, contributing to the diverse avian presence in the concession.
