Some winter mornings, temperatures ranged between 7 and 9 degrees Celcius as the cold breeze swept across waters in front of Moremi Crossing Camp. We even experienced drizzling rains, which is unusual for this time of the year!
An epic aardvark sighting
We could still navigate the Ntswi Reserve roads by Landcruiser as the floodwaters have yet to block our access, and Spotted hyenas and Black-backed jackals were regularly detected. With the help of a radiant spotlight, smaller mammals such as Serval, Civets, and genets were easily eyed too. One eventful evening, the rare Aardvark crossed into our beam! These ant-eaters must be one of Africa’s most bizarre yet enigmatic animals. Scientists reckon they can dig up and devour some 50,000 insects every night. Typically shy, Aardvarks occur in almost all of Africa’s parks and reserves, but only a lucky few ever catch sight of them. They are best sought out on a night drive, ideally in open terrain and during this winter season. Banded mongooses, honey badgers and porcupines were also seen after darkness fell.
Boating activities have resumed, and the general game along the Boro River and the sprawling channels around it have been fantastic. Zebra, Giraffe, Buffalo, Tsessebe, Blue wildebeest, Impala, Vervet monkeys and troops of baboons, Common reedbuck and Red lechwe all grazed along the water’s edges as we sailed past. There were also plenty of Nile crocodiles (one day, we counted 13 basking together) and Water monitor lizards making the most of the sunshine. Big flocks of Open-billed storks and Spur-winged geese have started to cloud our skies as the waters rise and feeding grounds flourish again. Guides reported standout sightings of endangered birds, the Wattled cranes and Southern ground hornbills, plus the roll call of regular residents, the Pel’s fishing owl, African fish eagles, Coppery-tailed coucals and Lilac-breasted rollers.
One morning a pack of nine African wild dogs came tearing through the staff village, and we quickly tracked them. Our speedy response was rewarded as we arrived on the scene in time to see the dogs chasing down a female Red lechwe, successfully landing the prey with a splash. Elephant herds have blossomed and we counted a group of 70 wading through the waters from the deck during afternoon tea.
Lions were scarce at the start of June but returned with a bang as we watched a lioness hunt an impala during a thrilling afternoon game drive. Another day, we located a coalition of three males who rested around a termite mound and used the elevated vantage point to keep a lazy eye out for passing prey.
Spiralling vultures ushered us towards a leopard which had killed a Common reedbuck male and hauled it into a tree. Closer to camp, a leopardess has taken refuge in a quiet corner of the bush and chosen it to raise a cub close to Gunn’s Camp. The mother and cub were repeatedly seen, and the little one delighted guests with its playful antics.
(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!)
