On our most memorable safari drive this month, we spotted one resident leopardess and her adorable four-month-old cubs near tent 17.
On another morning activity, a male and female leopard were seen near the camp, assembling a romantic pair.
In December, guests were treated to spectacular sightings of African wild dogs. On the 7th, a game drive revealed a pack of 23 wild dogs in action, feasting on note one, not two, but three impala kills! A week later, another pack of 15 wild dogs stole the show on Sedudu Island.
Tracking lions at Moremi Crossing
One morning, we tracked down a group of four lions attempting to bring down a zebra but were unsuccessful. However, a pride of seven lions, consisting of five lionesses and two males, was spotted on Sedudu Island, and another group of ten lions was found in the east. Guests were thrilled to witness their relaxed demeanour.
During the day, the air was filled with the sounds of the broad-billed roller, the chorus of carmine bee-eaters, the woodlands kingfisher’s song, and the graceful flight of European bee-eaters. At night, guests could hear the calls of side-striped and black-backed jackals, adding to the nocturnal melody around the camp. A serval, honey badgers, a small spotted genet, and the elusive porcupine were spotted during night drives, while banded mongooses, large grey mongooses, and vigilant water monitors added to the nocturnal spectacle.
Despite daily temperature fluctuations ranging from a cool 27 degrees Celsius under mostly cloudy skies to a warmer 36 degrees Celsius, regular rain showers in the early mornings and evenings delighted guests with a pleasant coolness. These rain showers also nurtured the growth of green pastures, contributing to the well-being of the ecosystem.
We were thrilled to see large flocks of pelicans, juvenile bateleurs, pairs of saddle-billed storks, the regal tawny eagle, and the striking black-chested eagle. During nature walks, guests were fascinated to learn about termites and their intricate ecological role in sustaining the Okavango Delta environment. Nature walks also revealed other captivating sightings of insects, from the artful antlion to the loud cicadas, emperor moths and hard-working dung beetles.
(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!)