November commenced with a trio of lionesses near the first hippo pool, responding to the alarmed baboons.
Game drives and walking safaris were the primary activities at Pom Pom camp this month, given the low water levels. However, the dry conditions prompted frequent lion sightings. A neighbouring pride of 14, originating from nearby, roamed the eastern region of the Pom Pom Private Concession, with two significant males guarding the territory. The dominant male was hard to see, possibly for the cubs’ safety. Two males from the Pom Pom pride occupied the east, accompanied by four females. A mating pair was recently observed on Motjimbambo Island, a segment of the pride of 14. Notably, breakfast at the camp fireplace revealed four lions, including one large male, two subadult males, and one subadult female, strolling across the floodplain. Two new males were also sighted near Kessey’s waterhole.
What are leopard sightings like during November in the Okavango?
Leopard sightings were exceptional, and guests encountered various individuals across different territories. Skittish and relaxed leopards coexisted along Kazungula, Xinega, and Wilderness Road. A female with a maturing cub was spotted, suggesting an impending separation. A thrilling moment unfolded later in the month when a subadult female near Marula Island stalked a female impala while her lamb was hidden in the grass very near to where the leopard was. Despite the mother impala trying to protect her baby with a brief alarm, the leopard successfully hunted the baby impala, providing a front row to the harsh show of nature.
The energetic pack of 20 African wild dogs, comprising eight adults and 12 puppies, covered vast areas due to diminished water sources. We enjoyed several spectacles of the pack chasing impalas near Aluminium Crossing Flood Plains and the southeast of Manotlhotlho as they showcased their hunting abilities. Despite their efforts, some pursuits were unsuccessful.
Green scenery at Pom Pom Camp
After light showers, the landscape transformed with fresh green grass and budding trees. Fruit-bearing trees attracted baboons, monkeys, elephants, and birds, especially to our riverine forest around the camp. Crocodiles and water monitors graced waterholes, while olive snakes briefly appeared during game drives. The landscape teemed with scorpions, spiders, ground beetles, longhorns, mantises, and butterflies. Fabulous bird sightings included broad-billed rollers, yellow-billed kites, ruffs, terns, European swallows, and more. Various species populated lagoons and areas, such as pelicans, storks, herons, egrets, sandpipers, and African fish eagles.
Hyenas haunted the early mornings and night drives, occasionally joining guests during breakfast or dinner. A den near the airstrip hosted seven cubs, witnessed in a dramatic encounter where hyenas ousted two lionesses from a kill in the floodplain.
Night drives revealed a cast of other nocturnal wonders, including honey badgers, side-striped jackals, aardwolves, civets, genets, mongooses, scrub hares, wildcats, and springhares. Above, stargazing sessions revealed planets like Jupiter and Saturn and stars like Canopus, Sirius, and the Southern Cross.
(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!)
