Guests were treated to the unique and rewarding experience of fleeting aardvark encounters shortly after dark.
Just last week, we spotted two aardvarks in different parts of the area. On another drive, an aardwolf was found sheltering in a culvert by the runway.
The Pom Pom Pack
Pom Pom’s resident African wild dog pack chose to den within the camp’s vicinity this month, making sightings of these endangered predators a frequent and thrilling event.
Two females in the pack recently gave birth — one to six puppies, the other to eight — making the den a hive of activity. The playful antics of the pups, combined with the high-energy hunts of the adults, offered guests an intimate look into the lives of these social and spirited animals. Their constant presence nearby ensured that every game drive held the possibility of encountering this remarkable pack.
Pom Pom continued to prove itself as a leopard haven, with sightings on almost every drive — morning and afternoon. Mornings and evenings were crisp with temperatures dropping to around 10-12°C. Guests found comfort in “bush babies” (hot water bottles) for use during the game drives and stayed warm while experiencing the wonders of the wilderness.
Two resident females, each with three cubs around four months old, were frequent stars and multiple leopards in a single drive were a regular occurrence, with these elusive cats either stalking prey or lounging in the shade of a large tree.
Pom Pom Camp is also home to an astonishing number of spotted hyenas (aardwolves are also part of the hyena family), especially compared to other regions. It’s not unusual to see nearly 20 hyenas at a time, particularly when they’re trying to raid lion kills, especially those without the protection of dominant male lions.
These wily creatures were often seen trailing behind hunting African wild dogs or attempting to shoplift kills. This month, their audacity was fully displayed, with tense and often violent interactions between hyenas and other predators.
Young hunters in training
As the dry season deepened, the floodplains around Pom Pom Camp came alive with wildlife. Pom Pom, located at the head of the Xudum channel and on the western edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, was home to elephants that splashed through the channels, large herds of zebras, wildebeests, tsessebes, kudus, impalas, and the aquatic red lechwe. Large herds of herbivores converged, drawn by the remaining water sources, and where prey gathered, predators were never far behind.
A mother cheetah with her three subadult cubs became another regular feature of our safaris, with guests spotting them twice a week. These young cheetahs, still learning the art of the hunt, were seen feasting on red lechwe and warthog kills, showing signs of becoming proficient hunters. Alongside this family, two solitary cheetahs were spotted, demonstrating impressive hunting skills.
Among the most thrilling sights this month were the resident lions, particularly lionesses with cubs born in June. Some of these young cubs, barely eight weeks old, were seen exploring their new world, learning the ways of lion life. The floodplains, rich with prey, provided a perfect training ground for these little ones.
A surge of raptors soared above the floodplains. Martial eagles, brown snake eagles, and tawny eagles patrolled the skies, their sharp eyes scanning the plains for prey. The arrival of the floodwaters created the perfect environment for the Pel’s fishing owl, a much sought-after species by avid birdwatchers.
(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!)
