October at Nxai Pan marked the early transition toward the summer season. Conditions alternated between clear, bright days and increasing cloud cover, with the first signs of approaching rain. Wildlife activity was strongly centred on the permanent waterholes, which continued to attract both predators and plains game.
Lions were seen regularly throughout the month and remained the dominant presence in the area. The resident pride, comprising five adult females, three cubs, and two adult males, continued to utilise the main waterholes. In addition to the resident pride, the presence of two intruding lions – one male and one female – was noted moving through the wider pan system.
Early in the month, a male and a female were seen drinking at the camp waterhole. As the month progressed, several sightings involved the lionesses and cubs resting in the shade during the heat of the day, often with full bellies. Mid-month produced one of the standout sightings when the resident pride was found at the wildlife waterhole feeding on two separate kills – a buffalo and a wildebeest. The cubs were particularly active, repeatedly chasing vultures and black-backed jackals away from the carcasses, providing an extended and engaging sighting.
Hyena activity included both brown and spotted hyenas. Brown hyena tracks were frequently recorded along the route to Baines’ Baobabs, while spotted hyenas were observed at the wildlife waterholes during the month. Vocalisations were heard on several nights, particularly around water sources, suggesting regular movement through the area.
Elephant sightings were excellent, with both breeding herds and bachelor groups visiting the waterholes regularly. Many bulls were observed mud-bathing and dusting to regulate body temperature. Buffalo herds were seen drinking at both the camp and wildlife waterholes. Zebra and wildebeest were present in good numbers across the pans, along with smaller numbers of giraffe. Springbok were widespread, often seen in open areas alongside impala and kudu. Both breeding herds and solitary oryx bulls were recorded, particularly in the direction of Baines’ Baobabs.
Smaller mammals added interest to afternoon and late-day drives. Black-backed jackals were common throughout the area, along with regular sightings of bat-eared foxes and aardwolves, particularly during return drives to camp in the cooler hours.
Reptiles and insects became more noticeable as temperatures increased. A variety of insects were recorded, including cicadas, grasshoppers, butterflies and dragonflies. Agamas were commonly seen, and several snake sightings were recorded during the month.
Birding was rewarding as the summer season approached. Migratory species began arriving, including yellow-billed kites and European bee-eaters. Other species recorded included cattle egrets, marabou storks, lappet-faced vultures, white-backed vultures, black-chested snake eagles, kori bustards and northern black korhaans, alongside a wide range of resident species.
The landscape of Nxai Pan remained distinctive and open, characterised by expansive pans dotted with termite mounds and scattered shrubs. Acacia species began flowering, adding colour to the sand dunes. The drive toward Baines’ Baobabs moved through open grasslands before opening onto the salt pans, where the iconic baobabs stood stark against the horizon.
As the month progressed, evenings alternated between clear skies and increasing cloud cover. On clear nights, guests enjoyed excellent stargazing, with visibility of familiar constellations and planets including Scorpius, Orion, Sirius, Sagittarius, Vega, Saturn, Neptune and Achernar. The open terrain and low vegetation around camp provided ideal conditions for viewing the night sky.
Bushman walks continued to be a valued experience for guests, with demonstrations of traditional fire-making by friction and the sharing of cultural knowledge, which were consistently well received.
