In the dry Boro River channel, a pair of cheetahs graced our sights this month.
Relaxed around safari vehicles, these magnificent creatures provided guests with breathtakingly close encounters, allowing for stunning photographs.
The riverbed’s dry spell opened new avenues for the lion prides of the Gunn’s Private Concession, transforming their hunting grounds and home.
A triumphant coalition of three robust male lions expanded their territory northwards, reaching the edges of Moremi Game Reserve on the northern fringes, extending far into the east. Tensions rose as the lions fiercely defended their newfound lands, leading to dramatic conflicts and territorial disputes that we witnessed during game drives.
Veld fires swept through the golden grass, turning the landscape into a sea of flames. Two weeks post-fire, vibrant green grass emerged, attracting a multitude of grazers, including buffaloes, zebras, tsessebe, red lechwes, steenbok, and elephants. The resulting influx of herbivores has, in turn, drawn predators, offering guests an extraordinary show of wildlife.
Neo, the resident female leopard, continued her motherhood journey on the western edges of the camp. The hidden hollow of a fallen tree served as the ideal sanctuary for her young cub. As the sun set, creating a golden hue, guests were treated to the magical sight of Neo calling her cub out for an evening feast.
The African wild dogs of Moremi Crossing
The African wild dogs painted thrilling scenes throughout the month. Every three days, we saw the same pack, which was new to the area.
One remarkable evening in the Vantage area, we witnessed a pack of nine dogs tearing apart a pregnant impala. Chaos ensued when a hyena attempted to snatch the spoils, resulting in a fierce confrontation. Though the hyena managed to seize one of the dog’s pups, the dogs retaliated, leaving guests with a riveting tale to share around the firepit after dinner to the nightly serenades of spotted hyena calls. Spotlights during dinner reveal their curious visits.
The skies echoed with the calls of summer visitors, such as the distinctive calls of lesser spotted eagles, steppe buzzards and European rollers. Despite the dry channel, the remaining pools in the river continue to host swamp birdlife, featuring elegant pelicans, storks and sandpipers.
(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!)