A thrilling spectacle unfolded as a pack of 29 wild dogs, consisting of 9 adults and 20 lively puppies (roughly eight months old), lingered near the camps for weeks.
Their energetic presence reached a build-up when they skilfully took down an impala near Mma Dinare staff village.
November dazzled with extraordinary lion sightings across the Dinare Private Reserve. A group of seven lions captivated our attention as they feasted on a giraffe, possibly having splintered from the Santawani pride.
Along the riverine road, the Batshabi pride indulged in a buffalo feast in distinct episodes over three days. Tee’s Pride made a special appearance, and the previously expectant lioness proudly introduced her tiny cubs to the pride!
Okavango Delta water levels during November
We started seeing the water levels recede at the start of November, and the primary water source remained the reliable Gomoti River. These waters drew an impressive array of wildlife seeking respite from the scorching heat. Giraffes, elephants, buffalo herds, kudus, impalas, and reedbucks congregated along the shores.
Despite the low water levels, mokoro activities provided a unique and intimate exploration. Guests immersed themselves in the wonders of water birds, observed the intricacies of reed frogs, and marvelled at the diverse water flowers and plants. Plenty of waterbirds, such as African jacanas and stork species. Kwando guides also reported how magnificent the transformed green landscapes are at this time of year. Yellow-billed kites, Wahlberg’s eagles, and the graceful broad-billed rollers were all logged.
Leopard sightings unfolded throughout the month. The resident female, accompanied by her 6-month-old cub, graced the landscape. Another unidentified female, with a 3-month-old cub, shared the paradise area with the resident male. Witnessing a subadult female leopard enjoying a meal atop a tree was yet another mesmerizing sighting.
Diving into the darkness, nightly safari adventures uncovered the elusive spotted hyena, the graceful genet, the mysterious African wild cat, the secretive African civet, the subtle scrub hare, and the regal serval cat.
During nature walks, guides delved into the intricacies of tracking and decoding the finer details of the bush.
(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!)