Records showed a two-week string of seeing a big cat on every game drive at Moremi Crossing. Close encounters that allowed our guests to truly appreciate the beauty and power of these magnificent creatures in the wild.
We frequently observed three male lions that appeared to have become separated from their pride of six after the tragic death of a lioness, who was killed by a warthog at the Gunns Camp staff village.
These males were often seen patrolling and asserting their dominance. One day, a male lion dramatically killed and took down a buffalo at Sibanda Island. His roars echoed through the night, calling for his pride and providing guests with an “African Choir.”
The same day, our resident female leopard, Neo, showcased her hunting prowess by taking down a common reedbuck and skillfully hoisting it into a tree to avoid scavengers. Hyenas were seen gathering below, drawn by the scent of the kill and scratching at the blood on the tree bark, highlighting the intense dynamics of predator and scavenger.
African wild dogs vs a band of banded bandits
A pack of twenty-one African wild dogs frequently visited Gunn’s Private Concession. One afternoon, our guests witnessed an intense and fascinating encounter between the wild dogs and a group of banded mongooses. In a remarkable display of teamwork, the mongooses formed a defensive ball to fend off the wild dogs. Banded mongooses banding together in defensive theatrics!
A new hyena den was discovered at Fridge Island, home to just born cubs. Guests were captivated by the sight of these youngsters and gained a glimpse into the early lives of these fascinating creatures. Hyena cubs are born with their eyes open, which is unusual for many carnivores. They also have fully erupted teeth at birth, allowing them to compete aggressively for food from an early age.
As the main channels dried up, many animals began to congregate. Buffalo were abundant, and there were lots of loose bachelor groups of grumpy-looking dagga boys. A spectacular sight was the presence of around 500 buffalos at Hamerkop Crossing, moving southeast through the concession. The dust clouds kicked up by their movement created an almost ethereal atmosphere. Other frequently sighted species included impalas, tsessebes, kudus, and hyenas, contributing to the rich antelope life in the area.
A leopard sighting after dinner
Breeding herds of elephants paraded along the palm-tree-strewn landscapes, and we often enjoyed watching three hippos in the mud pool near camp. One night, sitting around the fire, impala alarm calls alerted us to the presence of a male leopard moving through the dry channel right in front of camp! Common reedbucks added to the commotion with their own squeaks.
Our guests were equally enchanted by smaller, often overlooked inhabitants. Termites, in particular, were a topic of discussion during nature walks. Known as a keystone species, termites play a crucial role in the ecosystem, building patches of land that eventually form islands. The intricate and vital work of these tiny architects not only offered a profound insight into the interconnectedness of life in the Delta but also underscored the importance of preserving these delicate ecosystems.
Night drives, with the help of spotlights, revealed a variety of smaller mammals. Sightings included scrub hares, honey badgers, leopards, aardvarks, and civets.
(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!)