One of the month’s more unusual sightings came from the Letiahau Road area where a caracal was located during a day trip. The cat remained relaxed for several minutes before slipping back into thicker vegetation, providing excellent views of a species seldom encountered in the park.
Lion activity remained strong throughout April, with the dominant black-maned male continuing to patrol widely across th park. Early in the month, guides located the male feeding on a wildebeest carcass after vultures circling overhead drew attention to the area. The lion remained on the carcass for several days, defending it from scavengers before eventually moving off.
Later in the month, guides were rewarded with an excellent sighting of two lionesses and three cubs near the pan. The cubs, estimated to be around a year old, appeared healthy and confident as they followed the adults through the area. The lionesses remained attentive to the youngsters while moving between resting sites and hunting grounds.
Another lioness was encountered hunting around the pan itself. Although the springbok detected her presence before she could get within striking distance, guests enjoyed watching the patience and persistence that hunting in the Kalahari demands.
Predators of the desert
Leopard activity was recorded throughout the month, with one particularly memorable sighting involving a male leopard feeding on a recently killed animal. The leopard remained on the carcass for some time before eventually moving off into nearby cover.
Cheetahs continued to utilise the open grasslands and pan systems during April. One individual was located moving through the plains before pausing to scan the surrounding area and then slipping into thicker vegetation.
Brown hyenas remained active throughout the park were regularly recorded through tracks and signs left along roads and game paths.
Life returns to the pans
General game viewing remained productive as recent rains continued supporting excellent grazing conditions across the park. Springbok were widespread throughout the area and remained particularly numerous around the open pans. Oryx, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest and kudu were regularly encountered, while smaller species such as steenbok and duiker continued making use of the thicker bushveld.
One of the more impressive sightings involved approximately 15 eland moving together through the park, while groups of plains zebra and wildebeest remained scattered across the grasslands. Ground squirrels, bat-eared foxes and black-backed jackals were also regularly encountered during drives.
The changing face of the Kalahari
April showcased the Central Kalahari at one of its most attractive times of year. Grass cover remained high following the rains, and much of the landscape retained its green appearance. Finger grass, red grass, dropseed grasses and Kalahari sour grasses covered the dunes and open plains, creating excellent grazing conditions for herbivores throughout the concession.
The varied topography of pans, rolling dunes and open grasslands continued providing a striking backdrop for wildlife viewing, while clear mornings and evenings produced exceptional photographic opportunities across the reserve.
