The resident African wild dog pack of 13 adults and 17 puppies provided endless excitement. Their den was located just three kilometres northwest of Pom Pom Camp.
One of the most thrilling moments came when 12 wild dogs chased down a male red lechwe in the floodplains, skillfully navigating the shallow waters before devouring their prey in under five minutes. They then returned to the den, where we watched them regurgitate food for the alpha female and the puppies.
We often spotted the wild dogs around the camp during the day, in the mornings and afternoons. Sadly, the pack lost four puppies to natural causes by mid-July, leaving 13 surviving pups.
Throughout July, the pride of 14 lions, along with two lionesses and their cubs, ruled the reserve, their dominance unchallenged. A thrilling standoff occurred near a wild dog den just 200 meters from where a pride of eight lions rested among the wild sage. Vultures led the lions straight to the den, where they found themselves face-to-face with a pack of wild dogs fiercely defending their pups. In a heart-pounding moment, the dogs successfully protected their young, retreating just before the lions arrived. The pride’s power was further displayed as they brought down a buffalo near Rebecca’s Field — an incredible sight for our guests as the pride’s teamwork and strength came to the fore.
One misty morning game drive, we tracked fresh lion paw prints to a dramatic scene near Manonthoto — a buffalo kill. Hooded, white-backed, and lappet-faced vultures circled overhead, waiting for their turn, while side-striped jackals lingered, hoping to scavenge from the feast.
Tracking cheetahs at Pom Pom
Early in the month, we picked up cheetah tracks near Kassy Field and followed them for about 40 minutes to a female with three cubs resting on a termite mound near Rebecca’s Field. The same family was later seen at Motswiri Crossing, feeding on an impala kill. Watching the cubs eagerly devour their meal while their mother kept a watchful eye was unforgettable.
The water-filled plains and towering termite mounds provided a dynamic backdrop to the constant ebb and flow of wildlife. Large herds of wildebeest, buffalo, tsessebe, and elephants roamed freely, while kudu, impalas, and waterbucks dotted the landscape. However, we did notice a decline in zebra sightings, likely due to the floodplains being submerged.
Jackalberries and lazing leopards
Trees, such as the jackalberries, were heavy with fruit, attracting fruit-eating birds, baboons, monkeys, and even some antelope, like impalas. After an hour and a half of tracking near Shine Bridge, we found a male leopard perched high in a Jackalberry tree, feasting on an impala kill likely made while the antelope was dining on fallen fruits. Later in the month, an alarm call from a side-striped jackal led us to a female leopard and her cub resting at the base of a termite mound. After a brief moment of stillness, the two climbed into the branches of a sausage tree, where they lounged, basking in the afternoon sun. We also witnessed a rare mating pair of leopards at Motswiri Crossing, captivating everyone with their intimate display.
Sausage trees also began to flower, bringing life and colour to the area, much to the delight of the animals and birds. Large flocks of spur-winged geese were spied along with reed cormorants, African jacanas, and crocodiles basking on sandbanks. Monarch butterflies danced among the tall grasses, and the melodic calls of frogs serenaded us at night.
Night drives revealed a variety of fascinating smaller mammals, including the elusive aardwolf, African civet, serval and the ever-curious honey badger. Springhares and scrub hares darted across the floodplains while side-striped jackals and genets patrolled the night.
Spotted hyenas, ever the opportunistic scavengers, made frequent appearances near the camp, especially during dinner time when their eerie calls would cut through the night. Their den on Mochimbamo Island, a short distance from camp, saw plenty of activity as these cunning predators patrolled the area, always looking for an easy meal.
Mokoro rides took guests gliding through the shallow waters, offering a peaceful way to observe wildlife up close. With lower floodwaters, boat cruises were limited, but the clear winter skies made up for it, offering breathtaking views of the Milky Way, Jupiter, and constellations like the Southern Cross and Scorpius.
(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!)
