The dry season funnelled animals toward the waterholes of Nxai Pan, drawing predators in close.
The resident pride of five lionesses were seen frequently often attempting to ambush prey like greater kudus and wildebeests.
The dry season’s hold on the landscape created a stark, skeletal beauty. Deciduous trees shed their leaves, standing bare against the vast sky. Dust devils twirled through the loose soil, and although the grass had dried out, it still provided much-needed sustenance for the wildlife.
The open terrain of Nxai Pan made hunting difficult, but the resident pride of five lionesses were determined and never gave up. They used patience and strategy, often seen mating with a large male who visited the wildlife waterhole. The rest of the pride moved west of camp, keeping a close eye on their surroundings.
On the eastern side of the pan, two male lions were a force to be reckoned with. The sharp, focused stares of zebras and kudus often betrayed their presence. These animals knew when the kings of the savanna were near, and their behaviour usually led our trackers straight to the lions.
Three thriving aardwolf dens
Three spotted hyenas visited the camp waterhole early one morning. Although no brown hyenas were seen, tracks indicated they were moving through the area. The real highlight, however, was the aardwolves. Three active dens were identified — one each on the west road, Baobab loop road, and middle road — and these fascinating creatures have become a consistent sight, often seen sitting by their dens or foraging in the late afternoon.
As usual, there were still big herds of elephants at the waterhole. Black-backed jackals were especially plentiful too, with up to 20 spotted daily. These opportunistic scavengers chased Cape turtle doves and helmeted guinea fowls at the waterholes and dug through dry elephant dung for termites. Despite the cooler weather, June brought a surprising variety of insects. Butterflies like the African monarch, yellow pansy, and brown-veined butterflies added splashes of colour to the otherwise muted landscape. Spiders were also on the move, with community nest spiders, golden orb-web spiders, and baboon spiders making appearances, weaving their webs across the dry brush.
Busy honey badgers and clever goshawks
Honey badgers were also common, particularly near the Hatab campsite, where they energetically dug for mice and beetles. Pale chanting goshawks regularly followed honey badgers, eagerly waiting to snatch up any escaping prey. The mighty Kori bustards, Africa’s heaviest flying birds, continued to awe guests with their impressive takeoffs. We also enjoyed frequent sightings of red-crested and northern black korhaans, ostriches, and various vultures, including lappet-faced and white-backed vultures. Secretary birds, with their long legs and graceful strut, patrolled the plains in search of snakes and rodents, while helmeted guinea fowls filled the early mornings with their bustling activity before settling to roost as the sunset.
Leopards have a way of leaving their presence felt without being seen. Fresh leopard tracks appeared regularly along the main road to Baines’ Baobabs and even within the camp itself, teasing us with the knowledge that these stealthy hunters were nearby, silently observing their domain. Cheetah tracks also hinted at their passage through the area. However, they blended seamlessly into the dry veld.
Crisp, clear nights provided unforgettable stargazing. The skies lit up with constellations like Scorpio, Southern Cross, Centaurus, Libra, and Leo, each shining brilliantly against the inky backdrop. Prominent stars such as Sirius, Canopus, Alpha Centauri, Aldebaran, and Betelgeuse dazzled too.
Cold-blooded creatures like snakes and lizards took advantage of the sun. A cape cobra basked on the West Road, its sleek form coiled in the daylight, while a rock monitor lizard became a regular feature near the airstrip road, often spotted soaking up the midday warmth. These sunbathing rituals were a reminder of how all creatures, great and small, adapt to the changing seasons.
(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 consists of 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!)
