One of the most exciting sightings this month was when a honey badger and its juvenile were observed foraging together along Aardwolf Road.
We also had some excellent lion sightings. A black-maned male lion was found feeding on a kudu carcass along Letiahau Road. A single female lion, part of a mating pair, was present but not allowed to feed; instead, she rested nearby. A few days later, two lionesses were seen feeding on the same carcass. By that time, the male lion was fully gorged and had moved away, allowing the females access to the remains, which they continued to feed on for several days.
Later in the month, the carcass of a young gemsbok was discovered, attracting vultures and black-backed jackals. The jackals attempted to scare off the vultures to gain priority access to the carcass.
A relaxed female leopard was spotted within the camp area feeding on a steenbok. Some crows making alarm calls in camp led us to discover a female leopard on a steenbok carcass. Once she had her fill, jackals began to scavenge the sighting, and the crows stayed, trying to snatch some morsels
A male cheetah was spotted at the pan with a noticeably full belly. Upon noticing some prey species, he became cautious and quickly moved away across the open pan, displaying skittish behaviour. The guides observed him briefly before allowing the animal some space.
Another male cheetah was also seen near the firebreak. This individual was much more relaxed, providing an excellent viewing opportunity. It was a remarkable sighting, especially considering the semi-arid nature of the Central Kalahari.
A brown hyena was sighted crossing a road before disappearing into the bush. It was carrying a chunk of meat, which it eventually stopped to swallow whole.
Observing Life on the Kalahari Plains
The general game viewing in the Central Kalahari remained strong. Various antelope species, including gemsbok, springbok, common duiker, steenbok, wildebeest, and kudu, were seen regularly. Sightings of red hartebeest primarily involved solitary males. Other mammals spotted included black-backed jackals and bat-eared foxes, though sightings of the latter decreased during the colder season.
Various insect and reptile species were recorded. These included Tok-tokkie beetles, scorpions, corn crickets, giant jewel beetles, adult antlions, and a juvenile mole snake. A leopard tortoise was seen actively foraging while on the move.
Bird activity was diverse and abundant. Marabou storks were seen arriving from the Delta. A lanner falcon was observed attempting a stoop on a sandgrouse but missed. Vultures were seen feeding alongside jackals on a gemsbok carcass.
Southern yellow-billed hornbills were regularly seen feeding on corn crickets, which appeared to be a favoured prey item. Other species recorded included larks, weavers, sparrow-weavers, thick-knees, eagles, crows, bustards, kestrels, and wattled cranes.
Seasonal Landscapes, San Traditions, and Stargazing Under Winter Skies
Guided walks continued to offer guests insight into traditional San knowledge. Activities included fire-making demonstrations using traditional methods and discussions around seasonal food sources. Guests found these sessions both informative and culturally enriching.
Clear winter skies provided excellent opportunities for stargazing. The visible constellations and stars included Taurus (the Bull), the Southern Cross, Scorpius, the Milky Way, Sirius (in Canis Major), Procyon (in Canis Minor), Leo (the Lion), Orion’s Belt, and Spica in Virgo. Planets Venus and Mars were also visible. Additional stars and constellations noted were Canopus, Achernar (from the Eridanus constellation), Castor and Pollux, Corvus (the Crow), Lepus, and Sagittarius.
The landscape was characterised by expansive views of rolling, vegetated dunes and lush grass cover. Notable pans in the area included Deception Valley, Passarge Valley, Tau Pan, and San Pan. The grass remained relatively tall and green, although it began to show early signs of drying as the season advanced. The tree cover, which included acacias and albizias, stayed green and supported a rich biodiversity throughout the area.
