November started with a reminder of how fluid predator interactions can be in the Pom Pom concession. During a morning drive, a pack of African wild dogs was found in pursuit of an impala, pushing it hard across open ground. As the chase unfolded, the impala veered straight towards a nearby pride of lions, which seized the opportunity and brought it down quickly. The dogs hesitated and circled, but before they could respond, hyenas that had been shadowing the movement moved in decisively, forcing the lions off the carcass and disappearing into the thickets with it. By the time the dust settled, the wild dogs had already moved on and the hyenas had claimed the meal, a clear demonstration of how quickly advantage can shift between predators.
African Wild Dog activity was particularly prominent throughout the month. Early in the month, a small pack of three was found hunting close to camp and successfully killed three impala lambs near the Second Hippo Pool lagoon. Six wild dogs were later seen resting opposite tent nine, while the same smaller pack was encountered resting near Shine Bridge before being seen running across the floodplains shortly afterwards. Larger packs also moved through the area, including a group of seventeen resting near Long Crossing. Packs of six and sixteen were recorded at different times around Pom Pom and Rebecca’s Field, with successful hunts on impala lambs observed during several of these encounters. Three wild dogs were also identified at the Zippa mokoro station and confirmed to be the same individuals seen near camp earlier in the month.
The month was characterised by changing weather and increasing signs of summer. Early November brought variable conditions, with cooler mornings and evenings and occasional showers. These early rains stimulated grass growth and renewed activity across the concession, drawing both predators and prey into more accessible areas.
Lion sightings were frequent and well distributed. Early in the month, two lionesses were located feeding on an ostrich kill in the Kessey’s area. On another morning drive, three separate lion groupings were encountered in different parts of the concession, including four lions at Rebecca’s Field, two males near the Mompati area, and two lionesses resting near Kessey’s Field close to the RAM area. A pride of six lions, made up of four subadult males and two lionesses, was tracked to Marula Island where they were feeding on a zebra kill. At other times, single lionesses were found resting on termite mounds or lying up in shade on islands and riverine edges, suggesting recent feeding.
Repeated sightings of two lionesses feeding on a wildebeest near the airstrip confirmed their continued presence in the area, having first been observed with the same kill from camp several days earlier. Mating behaviour was also recorded, with a pair located near the Hammerkop area and later with two lions resting under shade near Bushman Baobab. Further movement revealed a pride of three resting along the Hammerkop riverine and a coalition of three males feeding on a buffalo kill near Shine Bridge. Towards the latter part of the month, two lionesses were found resting on the road near Fisherman’s Point and again under shade on Catfish Island. A mating trio, consisting of two males and a lioness, was observed in the Letswai area, while additional lionesses continued to be encountered nearby. New coalitions began to feature more regularly, including a group of five males establishing themselves in the Pom Pom area, with another unfamiliar male appearing intermittently, signalling shifting dynamics within the concession.
Leopard activity remained strong throughout the month. A female was seen walking along the road towards Bushman Baobab, while another female was encountered moving steadily towards the Letswai area. A male leopard was located resting in a marula tree near the pontoon, and a female was tracked walking along tree lines in the Zippa area. One morning produced sightings of two leopards in separate locations, a female resting on a termite mound at Xhenega and another individual moving through the Moffat Fig area. A subadult male was found feeding on an impala fawn in an African ebony tree, while later in the month three leopards were located in close proximity, including two males engaged in a territorial confrontation near Giraffe Skull. A female leopard feeding on a male impala on Dikolobe Island drew the attention of hyenas, which eventually scavenged the remains, reinforcing the constant pressure leopards face from larger competitors.
Spotted Hyenas were consistently present and highly active. Groups were encountered feeding on old carcasses, waiting at known scavenging points near the airstrip, and regularly displacing lions from kills. One ostrich kill attracted multiple hyenas, which successfully took over from two feeding lionesses. Hyenas were also seen moving through camp during meal times and were frequently heard calling at night. A den near Bushman Baobab remained active, with three cubs observed during the month.
General game numbers increased steadily following the rains. Elephant, buffalo, hippo, tsessebe, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, kudu, warthog, bushbuck and steenbok were all recorded regularly. Large numbers of zebra and red lechwe congregated around lagoons and floodplains, while thermoregulatory behaviour such as mud bathing was frequently observed in elephant, buffalo and warthog.
Birdlife flourished with the arrival of summer migrants. Woodland kingfishers, southern carmine bee-eaters, yellow-billed kites, broad-billed rollers, European bee-eaters, Jacobin cuckoos and black coucals were all recorded. Riverine routes and floodplains produced sightings of ostrich, southern ground hornbill, wattled crane, marabou and open-billed storks, spur-winged geese, saddle-billed storks, white-backed and hooded vultures, bateleur eagles, oxpeckers, African jacana, pied kingfishers and African fish eagles. Verreaux’s eagle owl was also observed during the month.
Smaller mammals were well represented, with sightings of African civet, side-striped jackal, honey badger, spring hare, genets, scrub hare, banded mongoose, large grey mongoose and African wildcat. Reptile activity increased with the rains, including sightings of water monitor lizards, striped skinks, Nile crocodiles, tree snakes and Mozambique spitting cobras. Insect life was abundant, with grasshoppers, butterflies, millipedes and dung beetles active across the concession, along with antlions visible in sandy areas.
Evenings frequently ended with strong sundowner stops along lagoons and open floodplains. Crimson skies reflected across palm-lined channels, with animals often visible well into sunset, providing a fitting close to days marked by high predator activity and the first true signs of summer settling into the Delta.
