The Dinare Private Reserve had the pleasure of protecting two African wild dog dens, making wild dog sightings fabulously frequent this month.
One den is home to four adults and eight puppies; the other is a pack of nine adults and 18 puppies! It’s been a delight for guides and guests alike.
During the denning season, strict measures ensure minimal disturbance to the dens and their inhabitants while allowing guests to witness wild dog activities and the denning process. The wild dogs were highly mobile, frequently encountered on game drives as they hunted to feed their many hungry adorable puppies.
Glorious general game on the Gomoti River
The rising river level attracted a diverse range of general game to both camps. Elephants were a common sighting along the Gomoti River, while graceful giraffes, zebras, impalas, kudus, and steenboks were spotted on every game drive. Red lechwe were frequently seen in front of the main areas, providing guests with a warm welcome!
Meet the buffalo-killing Batsahabe pride
Lion sightings were extraordinary this month, with the Batsahabe pride stealing the spotlight. The Batsahabe pride specialise in hunting buffaloes, and one morning, eight lions were spotted between the camps feeding on a male buffalo. The arrival of another male lion from the Gomoti pride sparked an intense confrontation over the kill as the four young males bravely defended their prize against the intruder. This epic battle showcased the fierce rivalry between lion prides. Another day, guests witnessed the Batsahabe pride successfully take down a buffalo during a game drive. The return of Nyakanyaka, after a period of absence, added excitement as he spent a day in camp mating with his lioness companion.
Leopards were seen on several game drives, often close to the camp. Rralebudu, the dominant male leopard, made his presence known by vocalising near Rra Dinare camp, and even engaged in confrontations with lions on occasion. A female leopard was spotted at Chris Island, adding to the excitement. Numerous leopard tracks have been observed throughout the month, indicating a healthy population of these elusive felines.
Strong cheetah coalition near Mma Dinare Camp
A coalition of four cheetah brothers made for many memorable safaris. One morning, they successfully took down a young zebra. The feast attracted attention, and the lions’ presence forced the cheetahs to scatter in different directions. Two weeks later, the brothers reunited after being sighted individually. One of the cheetahs showed signs of a limp, possibly acquired during the zebra hunt. Cheetah cubs were also spotted with their mother, captivating guests with their playful antics.
Hyenas and jackals were frequent visitors to kill sites and old carrion (plural is usually carrion), capitalising on the lions’ hunting success. The Batsahabe pride efficiently secured many buffalo kills, leaving leftovers for scavengers like vultures, and even a brown hyena made a notable appearance near Rra Dinare Camp.
(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!)