A lioness who had been absent for some time was finally located in the Mini Baobab Loop, accompanied by two tiny cubs!
This confirmed our suspicions that she had given birth in a secluded spot, and it was a joy to welcome the new arrivals into the pride.
A pride consisting of five lionesses and one cub, with a coalition of two males, was also seen during the month. The pride was stationary at the time, with the cub nursing from its mother — a beautiful sight to observe. The two males were spotted again along the west road during the month.
During an afternoon game drive, we came across a lone cub, likely left behind while its mother went off to hunt. Not long after, a well-fed lioness was seen returning to retrieve the cub, indicating a successful kill in the nearby thickets.
The following morning, both mother and cub were found resting near a waterhole in the Mini Baobab Loop. This time, both had full bellies, confirming the success of the previous evening’s hunt. A few days later, we watched the same cub playfully stalking springboks in the pan — practising its hunting skills under the watchful eye of its mother nearby. That same day, three other lionesses were located resting in the shade along West Road.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry at Nxai Pan
Nxai Pan continued to offer excellent game viewing. Breeding herds and bachelor groups of elephants visited the waterhole near camp, particularly during the hot afternoons, where they drank, bathed in mud, and cooled themselves.
Zebras were abundant and frequently seen around the wildlife waterhole. Giraffes were commonly found along West Road. Blue wildebeests remained a regular sight, with breeding herds gathering daily at the waterhole in front of camp.
Springboks were plentiful around the pans, and impalas were regularly seen along Middle Road. Breeding herds of buffalo also visited the waterhole, often lingering in the area after drinking. Herds and bachelor groups of oryx were typically observed along Tselagadi Tlhobogwe Road.
Shimmering Salt Pans and Lush Landscapes
The landscape across Nxai Pan was lush and green. The pans were covered in tall grasses, and the sand dunes were thick with vegetation. As one approached Baines’ Baobabs, vast grass savannahs spread out before reaching the shimmering salt pans — creating a stunning and photogenic scene.
Insect sightings were excellent, with numerous beetles, armoured ground crickets, and dragonflies observed, especially near water sources, where they preyed on smaller insects. Ground agama lizards were seen frequently, and a leopard tortoise was spotted just before the camp gate.
Butterflies were abundant, including African monarchs, blue pansies, and yellow pansies, adding vibrant colour to the landscape.
Scrub hares were commonly seen at night within the camp, feeding on the palatable grasses. Black-backed jackals and bat-eared foxes were also seen out in the pans, adding variety to the nocturnal wildlife viewing.
Birding was particularly rewarding due to the presence of summer migrants. Around the wildlife waterhole, notable species included Abdim’s storks, red-billed teals, Egyptian geese, southern pochards, long-tailed paradise whydahs, Hottentot teals, grey herons, black-winged stilts, and blue-cheeked bee-eaters.
Evenings offered spectacular star-gazing opportunities, with clear skies revealing constellations such as Gemini, the Southern Cross, Orion, Taurus, Sirius, and Procyon. The planet Jupiter was also visible. The short trees around camp provided unobstructed views of the night sky. As we moved toward the winter season, partly cloudy conditions were occasionally present, but the visibility of the Milky Way remained remarkable.
