One of the most interesting sightings of the month unfolded when guides followed fresh tracks near Tau Pan and located a resident male lion feeding on a springbok carcass. Careful inspection of the surrounding spoor revealed that the kill had originally been made by a leopard earlier that morning before the lion displaced the smaller predator and took over the meal. The tracks clearly showed the sequence of events, providing an excellent demonstration of how predators compete for food across the Central Kalahari landscape.
Lion activity around Tau Pan remained steady throughout the month. Early in the period a resident male was located near the pan and was observed moving slowly across the area while following the scent trail of the pride. Guides were able to watch as he repeatedly worked the spoor, briefly losing the trail before circling back and continuing to track until he eventually relocated the rest of the pride.
Later in the month lionesses with three cubs were located resting close to the pan. The cubs had not been seen in the area for some time, making this a particularly welcome sighting. Over the following days the cubs remained around Tau Pan, resting close to their mothers and occasionally moving between patches of cover along the pan’s edge.
Leopard tracking and cheetahs of the pans
Leopard sightings during the month required careful tracking and patience. One morning guides noticed unusual behaviour among nearby springbok, which appeared alert and focused on a particular area of bush. Interpreting the behaviour of the prey species led the guides to scan the surrounding vegetation, where a leopard was eventually located resting quietly on a fallen branch. The sighting demonstrated the importance of reading the landscape and the behaviour of other animals when searching for elusive predators.
Later in the month another leopard was located feeding on a freshly killed springbok carcass near Phokoje Pan. The carcass lay close to the road and allowed guests to observe the predator feeding before it moved back into thicker cover.
Cheetah sightings were less frequent around Tau Pan itself but remained present across the surrounding valleys and pans. Early in the month a shy male cheetah was encountered near the pan with a full belly before moving off quickly across the grasslands. The movement of lions through the area appeared to influence the cheetah’s behaviour, as the predator avoided remaining in one place for long.
Later in the month another solitary male cheetah was encountered during a day trip. The animal was seen stalking springbok but the prey detected the predator and escaped before a hunt could begin. In the Central Kalahari cheetahs often use the pans for hunting before retreating into surrounding vegetation for cover.
A spotted hyena was encountered moving through the area near Phokoje Pan during the latter part of the month. While sightings of hyenas were occasional, their tracks were frequently found across the roads and pans, confirming their regular presence throughout the area.
Life Across the Pans and smaller wildlife encounters
General game sightings across Tau Pan remained excellent. Springbok were particularly widespread, while giraffe, wildebeest and gemsbok were regularly seen moving between pans and valleys. Kudu and red hartebeest were also encountered, while solitary elephant bulls occasionally moved through the area.
Many species were more frequently encountered during day trips to surrounding pans where grazing conditions attracted larger numbers of animals. Bat-eared foxes, black-backed jackals and steenbok were commonly observed moving through the grasslands, particularly during early morning and late afternoon drives.
Smaller mammals added variety to game drives throughout the month. Yellow mongoose and slender mongoose were regularly seen foraging around burrows, while ground squirrels were often observed standing upright near their burrow entrances scanning for danger.
Agamas were frequently seen perched on bushes and termite mounds where they basked in the sun during the day.
Several reptiles were observed across the concession. Leopard tortoises were seen moving slowly through the vegetation, while a black mamba and a puff adder were each encountered crossing the road during separate drives.
Insect activity also increased during the month, with a variety of butterflies and grasshoppers seen across the grasslands. These included species such as the yellow pansy, orange tip and zebra white butterfly.
Birdlife remained diverse across Tau Pan and the surrounding valleys. Raptors such as falcons, kites and buzzards were frequently seen hunting across the open plains, while storks and shrikes were also present in good numbers.
More common species included vultures, crows, korhaans and goshawks. Many birds were observed feeding on insects and frogs, particularly around the pans where prey was abundant.
The Central Kalahari landscape around Tau Pan continued to support a wide range of wildlife. The region is characterised by rolling sand dunes and open pans surrounded by mixed thornveld vegetation dominated by species such as camelthorn, blackthorn and other Vachellia trees.
These ecotone habitats support both browsing and grazing animals, which in turn attract predators moving through the area.
Several grass species were particularly prominent during the month, including eight-day grass, crowfoot grass, Natal red top and pan dropseed.
Nature walks remained a highlight of the Tau Pan experience. During these walks experienced trackers shared their knowledge of the landscape, demonstrating how to interpret tracks and explaining the uses of various plants and trees traditionally used by San communities.
These walks offered guests a deeper understanding of the ecosystem and the cultural history of the Central Kalahari.
Evenings at Tau Pan offered exceptional stargazing opportunities. Guests gathered around the firepit after dinner to observe the southern night sky, where constellations such as Orion’s Belt, the Southern Cross and Taurus were visible alongside bright stars such as Canopus and Sirius.
These quiet moments beneath the desert sky provided a fitting close to each day on safari in the Central Kalahari.
