Every lion pride had its own story this month. One pride consisted of 11 lions, while another had only 7. In both prides, three dominant males kept watch.
Clashes between the younger lions sometimes occurred, bringing the pride together temporarily, but eventually, they had to separate due to the natural tensions between them. The fierce males, who ruled over the savannah, occasionally approached Lebala Camp, causing a stir during breakfast with their imposing presence.
November in the Kwando Private Concession
The general game in the Kwando Private Concession was a spectacle of life converging around water sources. Elephants, buffalos, tsessebes, impalas, and warthogs, often with newborn calves, congregated along the river. The dry spell before the onset of summer rains drew lions from inland, weaving more stories around the precious water sources. Impalas and warthogs bore the brunt of the pride’s appetite, with impala lambs becoming a frequent feast.
A female leopard with two cubs was seen several times, and we also observed a female with a young male cub but without the young female cub. One day, we located them with the dominant resident male leopard. We followed the male on patrol, and he bumped into another male since the territory of two overlaps. Impalas and small warthogs frequently fell victim to their stealthy hunts, each kill a testament to their hunting skills. A thrilling episode unfolded as a male leopard chased and captured an impala lamb.
Terrestrial life, from crickets to harvest termites, stirred vibrantly in the aftermath of the first rains. During night drives, Aardwolves strolled confidently as they foraged for the plentiful offering. African civets pitter-pattered near the camp, porcupines patrolled the fire break, and African wild cats stalked the grasses during dawn and dusk. Springhares added a playful touch to the evening activities.
Spotted hyenas were seen during both moonlit and sunrise safaris. We found two hippos dead, most likely from a territorial dispute, and the hyenas had a feast. Two females with cubs provided a rare insight into their secretive dens, although impenetrable blue bush prevented further exploration.
The brown hyenas have moved from the area due to lions, which have been in the same area, and their presence spelt too much danger for the little cubs.
During a game drive, we located cheetahs with full bellies, a testament to recent success in the hunting grounds, on a transfer between Lagoon and Lebala Camp.
The African wild dogs, agile and coordinated, made several appearances, engaging in both triumphant and heartbreaking hunts. Impalas and their calves often found themselves on the tragic side of nature’s theatre. Following them on a hunt, from the excitement of the chase to the bittersweet conclusion, provided a glimpse into the cycle of life.
Carmine bee-eaters and white-fronted bee-eaters were observed. Water birds, including saddle-billed storks and wattled cranes, were sighted in the marsh area. Ground hornbills, in groups of 9, 5, and 4, brought their distinct charm, while the fleeting presence of red-footed falcons delighted us too.
(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!)