Month: August 2023

4 Rivers Camp, August 2023

4 Rivers Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

The 4 Rivers area was home to a pack of approximately 19 African wild dogs that provided thrilling encounters with their frenetic hunting forays.

During our game drives, we observed their ranks included seven lively puppies, though further confirmation is ongoing.

In the northeastern reaches of the Kwara Private Concession, another pack of approximately six adults and seven puppies was located dashing through the mopane woodlands. They left their mark near the camp by dispatching an impala and taking down a red lechwe to satisfy their hunger.

Lion movements in the 4 Rivers area

The War Pride currently numbers around ten lions. Recent tracks spotted across the area hint at the presence of additional individuals, and we encountered two male lions in search of sustenance while marking territory. Their action suggested that they might be in pursuit of the other two males in the vicinity. Over on the eastern side, in an area known as Paradise, a further pride of about five lions, comprising one male and six females, were sighted.

We encountered two female leopards and two males on the eastern fringes of our territory. Tracks are increasingly evident throughout the 4 Rivers area, suggesting a greater leopard presence. As with any secretive feline, patience is the key to securing memorable leopard sightings, and the 4 Rivers guides have been masters at monitoring their comings and goings.

Although known for their scavenging tendencies, spotted hyenas are also formidable predators and a ubiquitous presence in our domain. This month, we watched an intriguing confrontation between roughly 11 hyenas and three lions, a spectacle lasting approximately 10 minutes!

This month, a solitary but impressive sighting of a cheetah was observed in the 4 Rivers landscape, which provides an excellent habitat for these majestic animals. The cheetah, located in the eastern part of our territory, displayed remarkable perseverance in its hunt, eventually succeeding in catching a common reedbuck after persistent efforts.

Spotted otters in the Okavango

Congregations of elephants and buffalos numbering in the hundreds were common as the animals clamoured for water in the dry landscape. Small wonders abounded, too, with tree squirrels and other rodents delighting observers. Giraffes, zebras, and various other species such as the handsome sable antelope also graced us with their presence in this enchanting environment.

In the waterways of the Okavango, sightings of crocodiles were common, and during tea time, spotted otters frolicked in the waters right in front of the camp.

Storks, herons, eagles, and a diverse birdlife were sighted, including various raptors.

As our planet rotated from winter into summer, the Southern Cross and Orion the Hunter dazzled us with their celestial brilliance from around the campfire. Walking safaris ushered us through the captivating ecosystem of Maboa Island, where guests learnt about the ancient art of tracking. At the same time, mokoro adventures unveiled the enchanting world of frogs and wetland botany of the Tsum Tsum waterways.

(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!)

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Tau Pan Camp, August 2023

Tau Pan Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

A thrilling hunt took place this month near the water hole, where the Tau Pan pride attempted to stalk a small herd of springboks stealthily but were then given away by an alert shadow of kudus.

The pride re-coordinated and successfully took down two springboks, leaving the guests spellbound as they watched the lions sate their hunger.

During another morning drive, a surprising spectacle took place in the western expanse of Tau Pan. The air filled with urgency as several black-backed jackals raised alarm calls, their focus directed towards a specific location. The guides paused, observing for further signs of distress, and discovered a solitary female leopard perched regally atop a termite mound. The leopard had recently caught a jackal, which lay beneath her.

The guides, respecting the rules of nature, ensured a safe distance and time to allow the magnificent leopard to savour its catch without disruption.

A shy brown hyena darted across Tau Pan during the day, captivating attention as it vanished into the northwest terrain. These elusive hyenas are primarily nocturnal and generally more secretive than their spotted relatives. Brown hyenas have a broad diet, consuming anything from small mammals and insects to fruits and carrion.

The cheetahs of Tau Pan

One morning, a dedicated tracker and guide team located a magnificent male cheetah. The great cat, moving with purpose, was on a quest for sustenance, its lean form indicating a hunger for a successful hunt. The trackers observed with bated breath as the cheetah stalked its prey. The atmosphere was tense as the cheetah tried several times to catch its prey. With lightning-fast agility and grace, it attempted to pounce on potential targets, but luck seemed to be against it, and it could not secure a meal. However, the feline was not discouraged. Later in the month, it was seen marking its territory and healthily asserting its presence in the westerly region of Tau Pan.

Elephants, kudus, oryx, and springboks were sighted, especially around the Tau Pan Camp water hole. Daily scenes in the golden Central Kalahari Game Reserve grasslands included the playful antics of black-backed jackals, bat-eared foxes, yellow and slender mongooses, ground squirrels, and the solitary scrub hare. Ground agamas were common, too, and there were occasional sightings of the striking (fortunately, not literally) black mamba.

The avian ensemble for August featured impressive raptors, from the mighty martial eagles and tawny eagles to the charming African harrier hawks and enthusiastic passerines, such as the desert cisticola, fawn-coloured lark, and buffy pipit.

Splendid stargazing at Tau Pan Camp

Come nightfall, and the Tau Pan Camp deck provided an enchanting spectacle for stargazers. Under the vast expanse of the open Kalahari sky, guests had an unparalleled 360-degree celestial panorama. The Southern Cross, Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Corvus the Crow graced the heavens and were the most prominent constellations. As guests made their way to the fire in the early mornings, they witnessed the planetary parade with Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter, each adding its unique gleam to the tapestry of the sky before dawn broke.

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Moremi Crossing, August 2023

Moremi Crossing, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

At Moremi Crossing, a highlight of August guests won’t soon forget was witnessing the intense battle between a leopard and a monitor lizard.

Water levels at Moremi Crossing

The Boro River had less water than previous years during this flood season. After an initial flush of water, the river’s level gradually decreased, indicating an earlier dry period for September. Despite this, the receding waters revealed a thriving habitat for hippos and fish eagles (whose calls resonated across the riverbed) and more extensive game drive networks for tracking animals.

On a single excursion, guests often spotted highly sought-after species: sightings of lion kills and hunts, observing the stealthy movements of leopards, and witnessing the swift elegance of cheetahs. The area also boasted an impressive variety of reptiles, including crocodiles, water monitor lizards, a diverse array of snakes, water scorpions, giant bullfrogs, thick-tailed scorpions, and petite and strikingly colourful Angolan reed frogs.

Lion on game drive at Moremi Crossing — By Francesco S

The Moremi ecosystem teemed with diverse insects such as stick insects, grasshoppers, and ants, each playing a unique role in this thriving habitat, such as feeding the contented insect-eaters. Birdlife in the area was diverse and thriving.

This period marked the arrival of yellow-billed kites, carmine bee-eaters, magnificent great white pelicans, vibrant swallow-tailed bee-eaters, glossy ibises, spoonbill storks, red-billed teals, and the majestic broad-billed roller.

August also brought the stirring promise of spring to Moremi Crossing. Mornings arrived with a refreshing coolness that slowly yielded to the day’s warmth by late morning. The evenings were serene and calm, accompanied by a return to cooler temperatures, prompting the donning of jackets and huddling around the campfire.

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Dinare Camps, August 2023

Dinare Camps, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

We had abundant sightings of cheetahs, from witnessing four brothers on a hunt to encountering a coalition of two males and a female.

These majestic animals have been more conspicuous, and a solitary female on the park boundary made a guest appearance, too. The dry, clear terrain of this Okavango Delta region made it easier for trackers to anticipate their movements.

The African wild dogs of Dinare

Ever vigilant, the African wild dogs of the Dinare Private Reserve have been shuffling their pups around, strategically relocating them to avert threats. During one afternoon drive, a courageous female dog diverted a lion’s attention from the den, thwarting a potential risk. Breeding within wild dog packs is typically limited to the alpha pair, and we have watched the rest of the pack contribute to the rearing and care of the pups.

The Batshabi Pride of lions had thrilling confrontations with the notorious three River Boys, who had cunningly pilfered many of their hard-earned kills.

One unforgettable game drive involved a large male baboon attempting to intimidate the lions, leading to a dramatic scene where two lionesses seized the baboon, resulting in a cacophony of distress. Wandering lions from the Moremi Game Reserve also made their presence felt in the Dinare domain, sparking an intensified territorial struggle between the resident animals.

Black-backed jackals were incredibly active and daring, especially in the proximity of lion kills, displaying their cheek with attempts to snatch morsels of meat.

Rralebudu, the prominent male leopard, made resounding vocalizations throughout the territory. Females with cubs were spotted, and on one occasion, a female was sighted near the mokoro station, calmly dining on a kill. To preserve nature’s course, we chose not to conduct the mokoro activity.

A parade of nocturnal creatures graced our night drives – honey badgers, servals, genets, civets, aardwolves, and bat-eared foxes. Banded, slender, yellow, and dwarf mongooses going about their busy pastimes enlivened the diurnal drives, while porcupines were seen frequently, particularly from the campfire decks.

The great game of the Gomoti River

August weather proved unpredictable, fluctuating between freezing nights, scorching days, and gusty winds. Amidst these climatic oscillations, the game converged around the waters of the Gomoti River, creating spectacular scenes with species like zebras, impalas, giraffes, tssessbe, wildebeest, and hippos. Moreover, both Rra Dinare Camp and Mma Dinare Camp were frequently visited by impalas, kudus, buffalo and bushbucks, adding to the guests’ experience. Additionally, a notable presence of elephants was observed due to the increasing heat and dwindling water resources.

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Nxai Pan Camp, August 2023

Nxai Pan Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

Lion sightings around Nxai Pan were a little thin over the first few days of August. Their roars and calls echoed through the night alongside the whoops and hollers of the spotted hyenas, but witnessing them proved fleeting.

However, fantastic lion observations soon proved ample. One day, in the early hours, three lionesses and their cubs took down a subadult kudu at the waterhole near South Camp. A few days later, observant guests scanned the Nxai Pan Camp waterhole and watched as a lioness attempted to surprise a family of warthogs after brunch. The lioness missed and swiftly retreated into the trumpet thorn thickets.

An African wild cat’s tussle with three jackals was another of August’s most intriguing sightings.

Buffalo herds at Nxai Pan Camp

There were many occasions when over a hundred buffaloes frequented the camp waterhole, visiting during early and late hours, occasionally even lingering around the camp overnight. Male buffalo groups also made their presence known.

Unpredictable weather lured large herds of elephants, arriving around noon and staying until late hours or even spending the night. Nxai Pan National Park showcased the rest of its stunning wildlife, including wildebeests, impalas, springboks, kudus, giraffes, oryx, and zebras. Steenboks were spotted in their monogamous pairs or solitary, enjoying the green shoots of grass and leaves.

Honey badgers appeared near the camp and by the pan, hunting small prey, and we caught the small-spotted genets in our torch lights after dinner as they casually foraged between the rooms.

During the early mornings and late afternoons, scrub hares would venture out in search of food while avoiding the midday heat. At the same time, bat-eared fox packs were active, taking advantage of the most favourable feeding times. Meanwhile, helmeted guinea fowls were enjoying a feast of the last remaining grass seeds and insects, such as grasshoppers and harvester termites. Black-backed jackals often interrupted these poor birds, chasing and scattering the guinea fowls.

Birdwatching enthusiasts and amateurs alike were delighted with sightings of the Makgadikgadi’s resident birds, such as pale chanting goshawks capturing prey, tawny eagles, and secretarybirds. The waterholes teemed with doves and sandgrouse, either drinking or soaring overhead. The grey-backed and chestnut-backed sparrow larks were frequent visitors.

A rock monitor lizard was spotted along the main road to Baines Baobabs, stealthily searching for food. These lizards are skilled at scaling trees, rocks, and cliffs, using their strong claws and long tails for balance and support. Despite their relatively large size, they are agile and can navigate various terrains with remarkable dexterity. This exceptional climbing ability allows them to access elevated locations where they often find shelter, rest, and nest away from danger.

Winter skies at Nxai Pan Camp

The last of our winter skies provided stunning celestial displays of constellations like the Southern Cross, Musca, and Scorpio during late hours. Constellations such as Orion, Canis Major, and Canis Minor set early in the month. Even Venus made an appearance in the evening and early morning.

Leopards, on the other hand, remained more elusive, leaving only their tracks around the camp. Closely monitoring their imprints, we know a diverse community roamed the area, including cubs and larger individuals, while smaller tracks traced the main road to Baines’ Baobabs.

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Lebala Camp, August 2023

Lebala Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

One memorable incident involved a brown hyena’s daring escape from hunting lions amidst the marshes, a testament to the unyielding survival instincts.

Sparse sightings of spotted hyenas within the woodlands were supplemented by abundant tracks along the game routes, indicating a bustling hyena presence.

During August, one lion pride visited Lebala several times. The pride consisted of three adult males, two lionesses, and five subadult cubs. We saw the lions with full bellies, indicating successful hunts in the marshes, where they caught an impala and a reedbuck on separate occasions.

We also encountered a mother leopard with her two cubs playfully roaming the Lebala landscape. We enjoyed watching them in various locations, and they were incredibly relaxed around our vehicles. The enigmatic tracks of other hidden leopards crisscrossed our game drive routes, hinting at the presence of these graceful yet mysterious creatures within the depths of our surroundings.

Guests witnessed two male cheetahs hunting impalas successfully, but they have since ventured northwards towards Lagoon Camp. We also observed two females that preferred the safety of the west and avoided lion territories.

The place of wide open plains

Lebala’s open plains were home to various wildlife, including giraffes, lechwes, elephants, kudus, warthogs, jackals, and buffaloes. The area also offered rare sightings of eland, roan, and sable antelopes.

We saw multiple crocodiles and water monitor lizards gliding through the water. Other animals we spotted included steenboks, bat-eared foxes, aardwolves, African wildcats, scrub hares, genets, spring hares, civets, caracals, and servals.

Birding enthusiasts were delighted to see black-winged stilts and African jacanas gracefully flying, and the mesmerizing sight of carmine bee-eaters and white-fronted bee-eaters marked the arrival of summer visitors. A nesting pair of secretarybirds at Kubu Pan became a cherished treasure, and we visited their area frequently. There were also black herons, slaty egrets, squacco herons, grey herons, darters and cormorants.

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Lagoon Camp, August 2023

Lagoon Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

We witnessed some fantastic leopard sightings at Lagoon Camp this month. Mmamazabuka and her two cubs were particularly impressive when they made an impala kill due to baboon disturbance.

We saw her dragging the carcass between Old Lebala and James’s roads. One of her previous litter, Mazabuka, has been doing well hunting various prey species. We also saw the big male leopards in the area feeding on a warthog, using their brawn to haul it up a tree along the Main Road.

We located spotted hyenas on the move along Bee-eaters Road and salivating near the aforementioned leopard kill along Main Road. Many tracks indicated potential den locations in the mopane scrub, but we have yet to locate a definite site. Towards the end of the month, we encountered several hyenas relaxing around an elephant carcass.

Holy pride happenings

When it comes to the Holy Pride, we were very excited to hear that three lionesses gave birth to nine cubs three months ago. However, at the beginning of the month, we could only identify eight cubs. The fate of the missing cub remains a mystery. We found this pride feeding on the elephant carcass, taking turns with the opportunistic hyenas.

We also enjoyed seeing the seven male lions that have ventured further south to feast on buffalo carcasses. We later located their tracks by the link connecting Old Lebala and Sepachi Roads with a kudu carcass nearby. The Leadwood Pride, consisting of five females and seven cubs, was witnessed around the Watercut and Leadwood Drive areas. We observed one female from this pride mating with a Rabogale coalition member.

The Mmadikolobe Pride, with four cubs and six subadults, experienced turmoil as the subadults appeared to be rejected on one occasion. The Rrabogale coalition moved closer to Lagoon Camp, nudging the northern boys towards Kwena Lagoon. Additionally, the Mmamosetha pride, along with their three cubs, has been active. There was a unique sighting of one of the males feeding on an elephant carcass northwest of the camp along the Airstrip Road.

A pack of nine African wild dogs (six adults and three pups) was located north of Grass, Rex, and Secretary Junction. We followed the pack’s tracks to the Kalahari bushes but lost them as they headed east towards John’s Pan. African wild dogs are easily recognized by their mottled coats with a patchwork of colours — white, black, yellow, and brown — and each animal has a unique pattern.

During one incredible game drive, we watched a female cheetah make a kill, only to be outdone again later in August when two brothers made a successful subadult female impala kill. These cheetah brothers were seen fully bellied on several occasions and were active in various areas, hunting and marking their territory.

As we approached the end of the dry season, the landscape saw a significant movement of animals towards the river due to water scarcity. There were abundant elephant populations, sable antelopes, roan antelopes, and buffalo herds. Various other species, such as impalas, kudus, tsessebes, red lechwes, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, baboons, and warthogs, were seen throughout the concession.

Night drives were equally busy with aardwolves, mongoose families (dwarf, banded, yellow, slender, and white-tailed), honey badgers, bat-eared foxes, porcupines, springhares, bushbabies, civets, and wildcats making appearances.

Monitor lizards and crocodiles were easy to see during the boat cruises, while some common butterflies, including the African monarch, were detected flying about.

Return of the carmine bee-eaters

We welcomed the return of southern carmine bee-eaters. These birds prefer open country areas, especially along rivers, where they can find sandy cliffs or riverbanks to dig nesting burrows. Lagoon Camp is the ideal place to observe them. Other wonderful bird species, such as ground hornbills and secretarybirds, were logged alongside bustards, vultures, marabou storks, eagles, ostriches, and cranes.

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Kwara and Splash Camp, August 2023

Kwara and Splash Camp, August 2023

Published August 31, 2023 by Kwando Safaris

Herds of buffalos, numbering around 1000 in separate gatherings, roamed between Splash Hippos and Pelican Pan in grand, dust-raising spectacles.

As expected, the usual abundance of general game persisted across the Kwando Private Concession, with herds of elephants, buffalo, red lechwe, zebra, and kudu roaming the area. Sightings of roan and sable antelope notably improved, especially towards the eastern direction leading to the Ngorongoro plains.

Lion kingdoms and coalitions of the Kwara Private Concession

The Mmaleitlo Pride and their three cubs delighted spectators along Bale Road, and a subsequent morning drive delivered an intriguing story when two lionesses from the Splash Pride set off in pursuit of prey. Their stealthy manoeuvres were disrupted by baboon alarm calls, leading to a surprise as three elusive cubs emerged, darting towards their mothers for protection. The pride was located on Sable Island later in the month, enjoying a kudu carcass and nourishing the playful cubs.

Guests at Splash Camp witnessed the arrival of a new coalition of two lions. Their presence created quite a stir, prompting the resident Splash Pride to navigate the area with heightened caution. The arrival of these males compelled a separation within the pride, particularly concerning the safety of two subadult males. Amongst the turmoil, the old female of the pride mysteriously went missing for nearly a month, leaving questions unanswered.

The Kwara Pride in the west experienced its own upheaval, eventually reuniting after an extended period of separation, especially with some lionesses in the denning stage. This reunion led to significant drama, with the pride exhibiting a preference for male giraffes as prey.

African wild dog den near Kwara Camp

We followed fresh tracks and unearthed an African wild dog den near Kwara Camp, a discovery that brought guests closer to the daily routines of this charismatic species. The following day, we watched the pack of 23 land an impala after a lethal hunt, unveiling nature’s swift and coordinated strategy.

In a more heartwarming scene, the adults cared for the puppies, regurgitating food and fostering a joyful playtime session. The puppies’ playful antics amidst the adults’ nurturing guidance highlight how communal care within the pack is critical for survival.

Another pack of six wild dogs exhibited occasional movements across Splash Camp and 4 Rivers.

One memorable morning, we witnessed a female cheetah and her subadult cubs expertly capture an impala. On another occasion, guests loved watching a female cheetah playing with her three cubs as they ran and jumped through the landscape, basking in the warm morning sunlight. During many afternoon drives, we encountered a well-fed and content cheetah named Mr Special, who had just finished an impala meal. He also made sporadic appearances closer to Splash Camp but predominantly spent time further north in the Tsum Tsum Plains.

Leopards, ever shrouded in a veil of mystery, offered glimpses of their secretive lives. In one scenario, a leopard vanished into the tall grass, only to reappear guarding an almost-devoured impala. In a compelling plot twist, the elusive leopard was spotted again, lurking around a kill. Another tale unfolded with the relaxed Golden Boy found attempting to sneakily partake in a lion’s meal, showcasing the cunning and opportunistic nature of these feline residents.

Another female leopard was quite active and spent most of her time to the east of the runway, frequently seen making kills before dragging them in treetops. The resident male counterpart, who also lives nearby, was seen frequently around the same area.

Spotted hyena dens bustled with activity in two distinct areas — west of Kwara Camp near Mothusi crossing and northwest of the Bat-eared Fox Den.

An early influx of migrant bird species in Northern Botswana

August heralded the early return of animated carmine bee-eaters, yellow-billed kites and the calls of woodland kingfishers filled the air with their melodies a little sooner than usual. Notably, the breeding grounds at Xobega and Godikwe demonstrated slow yet promising progress, with the construction of nests by marabou storks indicating a forthcoming rise in numbers come September and October.

Guides also noticed the sprouting of new foliage, particularly on sausage trees, blue bushes, and strangler trees, endowing the region with bursts of green.

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