Three leopards—a male, a female, and a cub—were observed moving through the Hammerkop Crossing. An altercation between two male leopards occurred between Shine Bridge and the old hyena den.
Further sightings included a mobile individual at Xhenega and a male leopard feeding on another impala in Kessey’s area. A female was spotted at Ram’s Mound attempting to hunt impala but was unsuccessful. Elsewhere, a mother and cub were observed near Kazungula Gate, and a female was found up a tree at Giraffe Skull with an impala fawn kill.
Lion sightings were frequent and productive throughout the month. A coalition of two males was observed resting under a feverberry tree. A pride of seven adults and one cub was located resting at the base of a termite mound near Kessey Lagoon. Five members of the Bonga Pride were seen resting at Mochimbamo, while a group of eight lions was found feeding on a buffalo carcass at Kessey’s field.
Later, a pride of five (three lionesses with two cubs) was seen moving through Rebecca’s Field. Another sighting at Kessey’s field revealed the Bonga Pride again—nine individuals actively feeding on a buffalo kill. At Drifter’s area, six lions (including two four-month-old cubs, three lionesses, and two subadult females) were located resting along the floodplain.
On one of our gamedrives we watched the Bonga Pride successfully hunt a buffalo at Kessey’s Pan, taking down a young female. The Notty Boys coalition was observed resting under palm trees at Mochimbamo Lagoon. Another pride of seven lions—four males and three females—was seen feeding on a warthog kill at Ditone Island, an area they appeared to favour alongside Rebecca’s Field.
From Chase to carcass
Spotted hyenas were recorded regularly, particularly around predator kills. Sixteen individuals were seen around Kessey’s Field and Ram’s area. Seven were located west of the airstrip, waiting below a tree from which a leopard was feeding. At another site, eight hyenas displaced two leopards from a red lechwe carcass.
Early in the month, two separate packs of African wild dogs were recorded near camp. They left the area but returned days later, seen actively chasing red lechwe, though the terrain made close observation difficult. A pack of sixteen African wild dogs was then seen hunting near camp and successfully killed a male impala at the first hippo pool. Later the same day, two packs were spotted resting in the shade west of the airstrip. Two individuals were also seen moving through Ryder’s Crossing.
Sundowners and Sightings: June in Full Colour
Floodwaters brought significant changes to vegetation, supporting a surge in general game across the Pom Pom Concession. Common sightings included zebra, tsessebe, wildebeest, impala, warthog, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, baboon, monkey, greater kudu, and particularly red lechwe.
Warthogs, elephants, and buffalo were often seen mud-wallowing, thermoregulating and ridding themselves of parasites. Elephants were observed using trunk and tusk techniques to debark trees and shake palms in search of nutrient-rich palm nuts.
Birding was excellent throughout June. Waterbird activity increased with the floods, and several species were heard and seen frequently. Regular sightings included African jacana, wattled cranes, slaty egrets, wattled starlings, water thick-knee, squacco herons, long-toed lapwing, African darter, rufous-bellied heron, and sacred ibis.
Other species recorded included Egyptian goose, spur-winged goose, blacksmith lapwing, reed cormorant, ostrich, secretary bird, southern ground hornbill, open-billed stork, saddle-billed stork (in pairs), cattle egret, marabou stork, glossy starling (in flocks), red-billed spurfowl, African fish eagle, pied kingfisher, Verreaux’s eagle-owl, and black-chested snake eagle. These were widespread across the concession and common around waterbodies.
Sightings of smaller species during our night drives included serval, genets, scrub hare, honey badger, banded mongoose, aardwolf, springhare, and porcupine.
Reptile activity was recorded in various locations. A puff adder was spotted along a termite mound near the road. Nile crocodiles and water monitors were frequently observed, especially near water sources. A black mamba was seen crossing the road.
Entomological observations included antlions, known for their pitfall traps in soft sand, and emperor moths attracted to camp lights. Dung beetles were frequently encountered during nature walks, seen rolling dung balls to bury and lay eggs.
Conditions in June reflected the transition into winter. Mornings and evenings were cold, while the days remained warm and mostly sunny, occasionally interspersed with light cloud cover. The mid-season chill coincided with the arrival of floodwaters, yet clear skies and pleasant daytime temperatures made for comfortable and enjoyable safaris.
One particular sundowner was especially scenic, enjoyed beside a lagoon where hippos, fish eagles, and various waterbirds were present. The reflection of the crimson sky over palm trees and water channels created a striking scene that guests found particularly memorable.
