African wild dogs were a common sight in our area, and we saw them almost every week. We often observed them hunting impalas, which were their preferred prey.
The young pups from 2023 have grown into adulthood and become subordinate members of the pack. A fascinating development we noticed? The pack has split into three groups, with three dogs leaving to form a new pack in a distinct area north of Pom Pom Camp.
The Pom Pom area boasted the highest concentration of spotted hyenas we have witnessed in a long time. Several inhabited the airstrip area, utilising an old ditch as a den for their cubs. Whenever we sought to observe hyenas, a direct drive to the airstrip usually revealed them, often found resting with their cubs on the runway. These hyenas developed a tendency to shadow the wild dogs during hunts, eagerly scavenging after a successful kill, with as many as 17 hyenas trailing behind the dogs!
Red-footed falcons and cheetah hunts at Pom Pom
We were thrilled to witness not just one but a couple of very rare birds—red-footed falcons. All the summer visitors which arrived in December, including carmine bee-eaters, European rollers, sandpipers, and others, were still present.
A male Cheetah was spotted resting southeast of Manontlhotlho floodplains. Using the height advantage of being perched on a termite mound, it saw a common reedbuck. It began stalking the unsuspecting antelope until a spurfowl sounded the alarm and gave away the predator. Another morning, the same male cheetah was seen in front of camp at the Mosadimogolo wa Phiri area.
Renowned for their captivating beauty, leopards must be one of Africa’s most stunning feline species. They excel in the art of ambush and embody a mysterious and elusive nature. Remarkably, a resident leopard known as Bonolo (meaning calmness) exhibited unusual behaviour by visiting the camp regularly. Bonolo was found wandering near the firepit or occasionally perched on the deck of various rooms.
Tiny newcomers
One night, during dinner, a genet gave birth to two kittens, and guests enjoyed seeing the little ones on a walkabout.
Water activities were on hold due to dry channel conditions, but nature walks allowed us to experience the exquisite Okavango Delta ecosystems. There were high numbers of zebras and wildebeests in the area. Tall grasses have flourished, creating a mesmerising scenery during sunset as the sun filters through the grass heads and stalks. With minimal rainfall and the pending floodwater from Angola, numerous crocodiles were observed in every drying pan, feeding on the trapped fish.
Since the beginning of this year, with the decrease in water levels, male lions have been seen regularly in the area. The arrival of new males has changed the dynamics of almost all local prides, leading to the expulsion of existing pride members. Bigger prides were witnessed consistently during each game drive, either sleeping or feeding. After hunting, they usually rested for extended periods. Some females have formed bonds with these new males, raising expectations for the emergence of a new generation of lions in the near future.
(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!)
