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Lebala Camp, May 2024

A territorial battle between two male leopards, Fisherman and Mr Muscle, played out for nearly three weeks. 

These formidable cats vied for dominance, engaging in physical confrontations. One such encounter left Fisherman severely injured, appearing lifeless after a vicious neck bite from Mr Muscle. Yet, he defied the odds, surviving and later marking his territory, his wounds serving as proud battle scars. Alongside these males, we’ve had frequent sightings of females, including one whose impala kill was snatched by a hyena.

Majestic and Plentiful: Sable antelopes and Elands

General game viewing has been spectacular. Giraffes were seen in large numbers, often mingling with other species in the woodlands. Elephants visited the river in significant herds, providing breathtaking moments as they bathed and drank. We also consistently had sightings of a relaxed herd of sable antelopes, including a huge male, and sizable herds of elands, some numbering up to 40 individuals.

Eland Kwando

The Dominant Trio: Lion Kings of Kwando

There was an influx of lions at Lebala, likely driven by the scarcity of waterholes, which brought these magnificent creatures closer to our nearby river.

The pride’s three dominant males have been patrolling the halfway area between Lagoon and Lebala, ensuring their territory remains secure across the Kwando Private Concession. We’ve observed them hunting warthogs and wildebeest, though not all attempts were successful. Interestingly, one female shows signs of lactation, hinting at new cubs hidden away. The pride’s cubs are growing well, and their playful antics have been a delight to watch.

Our night drives were a treasure trove of unique sightings. Winter is the prime time for aardwolf encounters, and we were fortunate to spot many of these elusive nocturnal creatures. Day drives were equally rewarding, with regular sightings of African wild cats, dwarf mongooses, and slender mongooses. And the thrill of spotting African civets at night added to the excitement of our safari.

Rewarding birdwatching included numerous sightings of brown snake eagles, bateleur eagles, secretary birds, and a variety of water birds. Nature walks through the drying landscape were enriched with sightings of a few remaining flowers and various animal skulls, adding to the educational and immersive experience of exploring the bush on foot.

Crocodiles basking along the channels were a common sight, although monitor lizards and other reptiles were less active as the season changed.

The winter skies were clear and brilliant, providing stunning views of constellations. The lack of clouds enhanced our stargazing experiences, revealing the winter constellations, such as Scorpio, in their full glory.

(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!)