A highlight of the month was the return of the Nxai Pan pride — three lionesses and two cubs.
Four members of this regal pride graced the camp, providing a memorable scene as they drank from the waterhole. The same lioness, accompanied by her cubs, ventured to the camp’s swimming pool, creating an unforgettable safari scene visible from the dining room.
The graceful silhouette of a lioness also decorated the wildlife waterhole, while on the eastern fringes of HATAB camping grounds, another lioness dined on a wildebeest. Near the Nxai Pan gate, another female lion found respite under the shade of a purple pod terminalia tree. At Baines’ Baobab, a pride of four lions, two lionesses, and two sub-adult males hinted at new arrivals in the territory.
Leopard tracks traced the path to Baines’ Baobabs, where a timid leopardess, attempting to ambush impalas, added an intriguing touch to our day trip across Nxai Pan.
A vivid, vibrant landscape for November
We witnessed the transition from arid desolation to verdant vibrancy this month. The once barren trees now boasted fresh greenery, and the grasslands, once lifeless, sprung to a lush, green vitality. This brought a segment of the zebra migration to Baines’ Baobabs — a transient spectacle inspired by the quest for sustenance.
The parade of the general game included imposing and colossal elephants engaged in the ancient ritual of mud-wallowing for thermoregulation. Cape buffaloes frequented the waterhole with their own mud-packing techniques. Southern giraffes elegantly practised the art of necking, while blue wildebeests marked their territory. Springboks, greater kudus, gemsboks, and red hartebeests added to the diverse cast of characters during game drives in the national park.
From the proud strut of Kori bustards to the courtship dances of Northern black korhaans, each bird species added its unique melody to the air. Black-backed jackals, scrub hares, and steenboks ambled through the landscape, too, while bat-eared foxes paraded in pairs, the cuteness of their recent puppies adding a delightful note to our expeditions.
Along the Baobab Loop road, another full-bellied hyena hinted at a mysterious feast, contributing to the evening sounds with high-pitched calls. Constellations like Scorpio, Orion, and Taurus marked our evenings around the campfire, and planets like Jupiter and Venus glittered in the morning sky. Prominent stars, from Sirius in Canis Major to Betelgeuse in Orion, added brilliance to the cosmic panorama.
(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!)
