This month kicked off with a rare pangolin sighting along the floodplains.
These remarkable mammals are covered in scales and known for their solitary behaviour and expert digging skills. Unfortunately, these incredible creatures are highly endangered due to illegal wildlife trafficking. The sighting was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect pangolins and their habitats.
In addition to the pangolin, night drives revealed a thriving population of scrub hares, springhares and small carnivores, including African wild cats, small spotted genets, agile servals, and cunning side-striped jackals. When the sun set during April, the night sky transformed into an enchanting spectacle adorned with the gentle glow of fireflies. Adding these nocturnal creatures brought further mystery and excitement to our expeditions!
Mating mambas!
We also witnessed the mating rituals of two black mambas! A sighting both awe-inspiring and rare. Furthermore, an African rock python gracefully slithered through the wilderness.
Lion sightings were exceptional. We’ve witnessed the pride’s remarkable success in their hunts, often finding them feasting on kills or resting after a satisfying meal. As water sources dwindled in the south, west, and southeast, animals migrated to the floodplains of Zipa/Mokoro Station and Drifters, including the Pom Pom pride. We observed the lions strategically waiting in the plains, seizing the opportunity to hunt red lechwe males when they were distracted by territorial fights. However, daytime hunts proved challenging due to vigilant onlookers alerting the prey.
Nonetheless, with 15 cubs of different generations, the pride has been hunting diligently to feed their growing family. The dominant male, Mompati, successfully defends his territory against intruding males. Transient males attempted to infiltrate but were swiftly expelled. We even witnessed a dramatic family feud, as an older female and male fought a younger female who appeared to be an outsider. The chase spanned from Zipa Plains to the south of Pom Pom.
Leopard update
Seven remarkable leopards roamed the Pom Pom Private Concession this month. South of the camp, a female named Amantle resides with her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Bonolo. Nearby, a young male often prowls our camp at night, hunting bushbucks. To the east, a male leopard roams, while in the enchanting Mochimbamo island stretching to Rebecca’s field, a female named Mochimbamo and a male find their sanctuary. Further north and west, another female leopard tends to her cubs.
Due to the abundance of lions to the north and northeast, a mother leopard, her daughter, and new cubs sought refuge in the northwest, gradually moving westward. The older daughter occasionally returns to her birthplace, showcasing her independence. Once, we encountered a gripping scene as a female leopard battled a red lechwe on Dituni island. We watched, mesmerized until she claimed her meal.
A female cheetah was spotted in the Mabala a Dikgokong area. She was on the move, making her way from the Drifters plains towards the Letswai flood plains to seek safety from the prowling lions.
As water sources diminished, the red lechwes migrated to the northeast Zepa and Drifters floodplains, establishing dominance in these areas. Alongside these elegant antelopes, the landscape also boasted the presence of majestic elephants, mighty buffaloes, reedbucks, zebras, kudus, tiny steenboks, impalas, tsessebes, wildebeest, and warthogs. We also loved watching the nurturing bond between elephant herds and their young.
Taking advantage of the dry terrain, African wild dogs proved elusive at the beginning of the month as they explored the vast savannas and flood plains. However, persistence paid off when we finally encountered a pack of eight dogs on a hunting spree near Shine Bridge. We followed their thrilling chase as they swiftly manoeuvred through the landscape, eventually leading us to the east of the First Hippo Pool. These social hunters left us in wonder about their teamwork.
Following the receding water levels, crocodiles embarked on their seasonal migration towards the north.
Seeing spots
The Spotted hyena population thrived, with some individuals venturing into the expansive floodplains. We observed two dens on Marula Island and one to the east at the Old Hyena Den, where these fascinating creatures gathered with their adorable puppies.
Woodland kingfishers, ruff-whiskered terns, white-winged terns, ospreys, and many other bird species were logged. The familiar residents were fish eagles, jacanas, spur-winged geese, Burchell’s starlings, open-billed storks, herons, egrets, and Pel’s fishing owls. One memorable encounter occurred on Warthog Island, where a marsh owl perched on the ground alongside a group of ostriches and their adorable chicks.
(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!)