A pack of five African wild dogs has moved into the Kwando Private Reserve and chosen the abundant Lebala plains for denning.
Sitting northwest of Lebala Camp on the western fringe of the aptly-named Wild Dog Pan, the den was located by our guides after dedicated tracking. It is a very sensitive time for the pack, and we have given them lots of space, observing their habits and progress from a considered distance as they prepare for life with pups. Evidence shows that the Brown hyena den is still active because its tracks were observed daily, but this special species proved elusive to the eye.
New males in charge of the pride?
The Wapoka pride is still alive and well, but with the absence of Old Gun and his brother Sebastian the strength is significantly down.
We suspect these males might have moved to a new area because we haven’t seen them in two months. Instead, the Golden Boys have taken over their legacy. Cub numbers have increased to twelve, and the pride is intensifying its family bonds. The lionesses have been incredibly successful and taken down buffalos, warthogs, Red lechwe, and of recent Eland, too, thanks to the added brawn of the three dominant Golden Boys.
Our beloved cleaners of the environment accompanied the lions and often alerted us to their movements as Whited-backed and Hooded vultures flew from one carcass to another. These birds were rarely alone and kept the company of Marabou storks and Black-backed jackals that all fought to salvage the last remains.
The increase in lion numbers has seen the leopards grow stealthier. However, we delightedly followed a male leopard patrolling the marshlands. He was understandably cautious in his movements and avoided the fringes where lions called frequently.
Elephants crossing
There has been an increased number of general game along the riversides and floodplains as the natural waterholes (such as Nari Pan, Steve’s Pan and Norman’s Pan) dried up in the surrounding savanna woodland. More elephant groups assembled at the river to drink, and as they returned to the woodlands for the night, they frequently funnelled through Lebala Camp, taking their sweet time and sometimes blocking traffic to the guest rooms. It has become very normal, and we simply wait for them to clear off, and then life goes on!
Under the safety of experienced Kwando guides, our guests approached several general game species on foot, including Greater kudus, Blue wildebeest, Impalas and Red lechwe. On foot, we also noticed how African elephants have already started shaping the environment due to their increasing feeding in the area. They frequently break down trees and tree branches. During this season, Fever berry trees have been the most affected, losing plenty of their scrumptious leaves to the elephants.
The foliage that hasn’t been foraged by animals has been plucked off by colder, westerly winds which blew through the trees. All of this prepares for the next season and aids in reopening the landscape. Soon the coming heat will completely dry it up.
I’ll have a civet with my coffee, please
Spotted hyenas relished the feeding opportunity presented by an elephant carcass north of the camp. Some of our best nocturnal sightings were African wild cats, Civets, genets, and porcupines. An Aardwolf was spotted twice this month, and one morning, we spotted a Civet strolling near the swimming pool as we enjoyed morning coffee at the fire.
An African Rock python was spotted before dinner, heading toward the river and crossing the path just before room eight.
(Please note: For the safety of the animals, we do not disclose the 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!)