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.
(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!)