The very beginnings of the zebra migration was seen at the end of the month, close to Baines Baobabs. It’s only a few herds to begin with, but the numbers will start growing, as they move slowly into the area. It will take them some time for the bulk of them to move into the park, with January and February normally the prime months for sightings in and around the Pan. Still, day trips out to Baines have been productive as the herds begin to appear.
Early in the month the camp was visited by 15 lions – 5 lionesses and 10 cubs walked through the area, passing by the camp and the waterhole. It was a wonderful sighting for all to see of so many lions!
Mid month and the small pack of wild dogs again came to the waterhole in front of the camp to drink. Towards the end of the month the six dogs re-appeared and after drinking, proceeded to chase springbok around in circles. An unsuccessful hunt as far as we could see, but we are sure they had better luck a little later.
Regular sightings of cheetah and lion during the month out at the main waterhole. On one day we saw the mother cheetah playing with her two cubs near the waterhole, and a little later, a lioness calling for her four cubs to join her. The lion cubs came rushing out of the wild sage where they were hiding to meet up with mum.
A drive to Baines Baobabs late in the month located the big pride of lions who we hadn’t seen for a week or so. They had just made a kill, and the male was dragging the dead wildebeest to the shade of a tree, with the vultures already waiting in nearby trees.
Most unusual sighting this month: buffalo! They were see having a quick drink at the camp waterhole, before moving off at a very quick pace!
