October at Tau Pan reflected a clear shift into early summer. Warm, bright days brought excellent visibility as open pans and dune systems stretched out. Much of the landscape was dry, yet many trees stayed green and in flower. Grasses continued awaiting the arrival of meaningful rains. Despite the heat, wildlife activity remained steady, especially near waterholes and established movement routes.
Mid-month, a tawny eagle was found killing secretarybird chicks. The adult secretarybirds responded aggressively and ultimately killed the raptor. This was a powerful reminder of natural selection and territorial defence. Bird activity around the waterholes was exceptional. Goshawks were observed catching doves on several occasions. Falcons hunted red-billed quelea and other small birds. Tawny eagles and bateleur eagles visited water sources regularly, along with yellow-billed kites as early summer migrants. Crows scavenged opportunistically around raptor activity. Vultures gathered at waterholes to drink. Kori bustards, korhaans, shrikes, ostriches and larks were all recorded frequently.
Lion activity was consistently observed throughout the month. Early in the month, the black-maned resident male was tracked and found along Lion Den Road, roaring repeatedly and delivering a strong territorial call. This male remained dominant in the area throughout the month. Later, the Tree Lions, another group, were located along Aardwolf Road, where two individuals were observed mating. As the month progressed, the Tau Pan Pride, which had originally been larger, begun to show signs of further separation. The pride split into a smaller unit of five lions, while a single lioness travelled alone, and a young male moved independently, occasionally resting near the pride but keeping his distance. Mid-month, two males from the older Tau Pan Pride had a confrontation with the dominant black-maned male. One sustained minor scratches to the leg, though the injuries appeared superficial and did not hinder movement. These interactions highlighted a period of ongoing territorial adjustment and shifting pride dynamics within the pan system.
Leopard sightings were notable. Early in the month, a very shy male leopard was located on the eastern side of camp. He moved along the road while a steenbok fled ahead, clearly indicating an active hunt. A few days later, guides tracked the same leopard carefully and eventually located him near a pan. During this sighting, the leopard shifted focus to a group of bat-eared foxes. The foxes detected his presence and retreated into their burrows. The leopard waited patiently near the holes. When the foxes attempted to escape, he successfully caught one. This was a rare and exceptional observation of opportunistic hunting behaviour.
Clear signs of predator presence were recorded throughout the area, despite limited visual sightings. Tracks and spoor confirmed regular movement of cheetah and brown hyena across the Tau Pan system, while African wild dog activity was evident through spoor, with one individual located mid-month on the northern side of camp, likely moving to rejoin the pack. Although direct sightings were scarce, the tracking evidence indicated continued use of the area by all three species.
General game viewing was strong and typical of Tau Pan at this time of year. Large numbers of springbok were present across the pans, including many young. Gemsbok were particularly well represented, alongside steenbok and common duiker. Black-backed jackals were frequently seen and remained active throughout the day. Ground squirrels were common and visible across the open areas. Yellow and slender mongooses were recorded, but in lower numbers than usual. Smaller mammals, such as mice, were abundant around camp and often heard moving through the dry leaves at night.
Reptile and insect activity increased with the warmer conditions. A leopard tortoise was encountered resting beside the bush. It remained motionless to avoid dehydration during the heat. Insects recorded included ground beetles, rose chafers, stink bugs, African monarch butterflies, ball-biting ants, white and brown-veined butterflies, scorpions and other small invertebrates.
The landscape remained striking throughout the month. The dune systems were well vegetated, and animals moving along dune crests were easily visible against the horizon, particularly giraffe silhouetted in the distance. Tree species such as warm-bark albizia, black-thorn acacia, buffalo thorn, blade thorn, Kalahari apple-leaf, brandy bush, cat’s claw, and broom bush remained green, with several in bloom. Grasses across the pans were dry, awaiting rainfall, but signs of regeneration readiness were evident. Grass species present included crowfoot grass, pan drop seed, eight-day grass, three-awn grass, Bushmen silky grass, Bushmen love grass, nine-awn grass and finger grass.
Night skies remained a highlight. Evening constellations included Scorpio, the Southern Cross (Crux), Centaurus, Musca, Sagittarius, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, Venus, Canopus and Achernar. In the early mornings, Orion’s Belt, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus and the Pleiades were clearly visible, marking the seasonal transition in the night sky.
Walking activities continued to offer meaningful cultural engagement. One of Tau Pan’s senior trackers shared extensive knowledge with guests. He covered traditional fire-making, hut construction, seasonal food sources and cultural history. These walks provided valuable insight into San heritage and bush survival.
