A brown hyena was spotted at the waterhole, quenching its thirst in an extended sighting. A pack of African wild dogs was also sighted, passing through the northern part of the camp and heading toward the cutline.
Scrub hares engaged in territorial fights along the pathways, while slender mongooses hunted mice and snakes. Yellow mongooses were also spotted near the ground squirrel burrows. Ground squirrels, meanwhile, foraged for seeds in grass species such as eight-day grass, adding charm to the morning drives.
The dry grasslands, patiently awaiting the life-giving rains, were a testament to the adaptability of both animals and people. They have learned to survive in these harsh conditions by digging for moisture-rich tubers like the Morning Glory and Kalahari water tubers. Guests were treated to immersive bush walks led by San guides, who shared their deep knowledge of the Kalahari flora and fauna, demonstrating the resourcefulness and resilience of the San people.
An ant Lion was seen in camp killing a scorpion!
Another highlight of this month was watching a pale chanting goshawk freeing on a sandgrouse it had caught. The elusive red hartebeest also appeared near the airstrip and at the waterhole.
Giraffes, springboks, and elephants frequently mixed with other species at the waterhole, creating a dynamic scene of coexistence. Other bird sightings included eagles, doves, and flocks of sandgrouse congregating at the waterhole. The competition for food was fierce, with crows and Gabar goshawks joining the fray. Black-backed jackals were commonly seen, along with foxes and ground squirrels. Large numbers of kudus gathered to drink, their presence often attracting lions.
Testy lions and plenty of kudu kills
A well-known rival male lion, often called “the intruder,” was spotted feeding on a kudu carcass that a lioness had killed. The lioness, clearly frustrated, lay under a bush nearby, watching as the male feasted on her hard-earned meal. This bold behaviour set the tone for the month’s lion sightings.An intense encounter unfolded at the waterhole as the Tau Pan Pride clashed with the Airstrip Pride. The territorial skirmish resulted in the Airstrip Pride being chased back toward the airstrip. During the chaos, one of the older females from the Airstrip Pride was caught and overpowered by the Tau Pan Pride. Though badly exhausted and injured, she managed to sneak away and disappear by the afternoon.
Later in the month, a lioness from the Tau Pan Pride was found feeding on a freshly killed gemsbok near the southern road to Letiahau. Soon after, four other lionesses joined the feast. However, their meal was short-lived as the same rival male appeared, forcing the females to abandon their kill and retreat toward camp. The male, ever opportunistic, enjoyed the gemsbok alone.
A new pride of five lions (three males and two lionesses) was frequently sighted feeding. This pride is believed to originate from Deception Valley. It was often seen in Passarge Valley and Sunday Pan but rarely ventured further afield.
Two subadult female cheetahs were spotted crossing Tau Pan, showing interest in a lone springbok. Unfortunately, the prey caught their scent, and the hunt was unsuccessful. Later in October, a male cheetah was observed resting near the pan, seemingly preparing to hunt the nearby prey species. However, he disappeared shortly after, and no further activity was recorded.
This month, clear, unpolluted skies provided breathtaking stargazing opportunities. Guests marvelled at constellations such as Scorpio, Libra, Sagittarius, and the Southern Cross, as well as bright celestial objects like Venus and Spica.
(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!)
