This month, we saw two rare oribi antelopes! They can only be found in this northeastern corner of Botswana, and we were thrilled to observe them in their natural habitat.
General game viewing was superb, with large herds of elephants delighting guests as they engaged in mud baths and crossed channels.
Spotted hyenas occasionally appeared, with one memorable sighting of a female carrying her cub in her mouth — a rare behaviour. A brown hyena was also seen near its usual haunt, offering a good view before it retreated.
Birdwatchers were treated to spectacular sightings, particularly of wattled cranes in the marshes and a pair of secretary birds with chicks at Kubu Pan. Migratory birds were less common, but swallow-tailed bee-eaters and striped kingfishers made appearances. Southern ground hornbills also paraded through the grasslands.
Let’s get to the lions and leopards!
Almost every game drive rewarded us with views of lions. The dominant trio of male lions, who rule the territory between Lagoon and Lebala, were often seen with two females and their four-month-old cubs. One particularly captivating moment occurred when an intruding female lion appeared, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The two resident females attacked the intruder, but the three males intervened to restore peace, suggesting that the intruder might be the mother of new cubs sired by one of the males.
The northern part of Kwando Private Concession saw a full-grown male and a subadult male arriving, with the younger male frequently seen mating with his sister. The dominant trio became notably active upon detecting these new males, culminating in a tense standoff where the intruders were scared off by a single roar, leaving us in awe of the dominant males’ presence and vocal power. We also witnessed the females with cubs feasting on a buffalo at Lechwe Corner, their faces and bodies coated in mud, creating an unforgettable sight.
A female leopard with a shy, two-month-old cub was spotted, providing a rare glimpse into their early lives. Another highlight was a young female leopard exhibiting playful behaviour by climbing and leaping between branches, while a young male was observed marking territory. The dominant male, the resident leopard, continues to rule his domain with authority.
A female cheetah was observed marking territory, seemingly searching for two resident males who often frequent the area. The two males were later seen calling for each other, suggesting one might have been with the female.
Inland grasses turned brown, though some trees remained green. The riverine areas retain their lushness, but water levels in the channels are low. Reptile sightings included quick glimpses of various snakes, an olive grass snake, and basking crocodiles along the river channel. Water monitor lizards were also frequently seen enjoying the sun. Night drives revealed a wealth of smaller mammals, including servals hunting in the marsh area, relaxed honey badgers, wild cats in the early morning, and numerous spring and scrub hares.
(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!)