Lions reigned supreme throughout the Dinare Private Reserve, providing multiple sightings that left us in awe.
New prides emerged, including one with nine males and a strong female. One unforgettable morning, we witnessed the mighty River Boys, two majestic male lions, feasting alongside a lioness on a colossal buffalo. Another day unfolded with a heart-stopping drama as the Batshabi pride’s two male lions showcased their hunting prowess by felling an injured buffalo near Rra Dinare camp, only to be hotly pursued by the relentless River Boys! Amidst the chaos, black and side-striped jackals stealthily stole the lions’ leftovers, a display of their cunning intelligence.
The Gomoti River’s resident male lion, Nyakanyaka, fought fiercely with the coalition of three brothers from the neighbouring concession. Despite sustaining minor injuries, Nyakanyaka valiantly survived the encounters.
What will I see on a night drive in the Dinare Private Reserve?
As the seasons changed and leaves fell, elusive creatures like the Aardwolf and genets became more visible. The sparse bush thickets offer an opportunity to witness these captivating nocturnal hunters.
Leopards emerged as stealthy assassins. We witnessed a female leopard skillfully hunting down an impala in the paradisiacal surroundings. The resident male leopard, Rra Lebodu, enticed us with his sightings, especially when he stealthily devoured his impala prey, providing a front-row seat to the captivating drama. A heavily pregnant female leopard was spotted near Rra Dinare Camp, her impending motherhood igniting a sense of anticipation.
African wild dogs were seen in limited numbers, possibly due to the presence of lions. Two wild dogs in particular captured our attention near the central area of the camp.
Plains game congregated near the dwindling pans and flourishing riverine oases, including zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, warthogs, impalas, common reedbucks, lechwes, monkeys, and baboons.
Cheetahs on the hunt
In April, a coalition of four cheetah brothers roamed between Moremi Game Reserve and Dinare Private Reserve, showcasing their relentless pursuits, including a thrilling hunt for a young zebra only to be met with the fierce defence of the adult herd.
Mokoro rides and nature walks transported us into the heart of untamed wilderness. Though cautious of the mighty hippos along the main Gomoti channel, receding grasses allowed us to sight game easily and unveiled safe pathways for leisurely walks, where every step resonated with the primal energy of the land.
Some intra-African bird visitors graced the skies, including the resplendent woodland kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, and the majestic wattled cranes gracefully winding through the riverine habitats.
(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!)