Month: June 2024

4 Rivers Camp, June 2024

4 Rivers Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

One day, eleven hyenas, known for their opportunistic hunting, chased a herd of about thirty plains zebras. However, they abruptly shifted their focus to a breeding herd of elephants.

The chase continued for nearly an hour before the hyenas, thwarted by the rising heat, abandoned their pursuit and retreated to the shade of the Kalahari star apple bushes for the day.

Wild dogs denning? The search intensifies

The area around 4 Rivers Camp boasted a healthy population of spotted hyenas, often seen during early morning and late evening drives, and a pack of seven wild dogs offered regular sightings during June. Notably, the alpha female went missing, leading us to believe the pack might be denning nearby. Their recent movements were concentrated north of 4 Rivers Camp, and we eagerly anticipated the discovery of their den. The guides redoubled their tracking efforts, check in for the July edition for more details…

A resident female leopard was frequently seen stalking impalas and taking down prey, such as a common reedbuck lamb west of 4 Rivers Camp. On one occasion, she and her six-month-old cub were flushed from a kill by a group of eight lions! This forced them to seek refuge in a nearby tree. The tension in the air was palpable as our guests watched in awe from the game drive vehicle at this remarkable display of survival instincts.

Lion prides and coalitions around 4 Rivers Camp

Several different lion prides and coalitions were regularly spotted within and around the camp during morning and afternoon safaris. Highlights included the Sedudu Pride with three adult females and three subadult males, the ‘Two Boys’ coalition dominating the west. They were frequently seen around the marshy areas to the east and south of camp. Additionally, three adult females patrolled near the camp and into the Mopane woodlands, while a solitary female was observed on Maboa Island. Towards Paradise, we tracked three resident males with a large female and her two offspring.

Whilst the grass on the mainland dried out the trees remained lush and green, especially along the riverine areas where the daily influx of floods attracted more and more game. The safari camp area was rich with wildlife, with large herds of elephants and plains teeming with a variety of herbivores, including zebras, common reedbucks, red lechwes, impalas, giraffes, African buffalos, tsessebes, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, greater kudus, common waterbucks, blue wildebeests, steenboks, sable and roan antelopes, and hippos.

The camp was busy with life despite the winter chill. A black mamba was discovered near the kitchen, with starlings mobbing the snake, alerting us to its presence. Additionally, a crocodile was often seen basking on the sandbank in front of the firepit, soaking up the sun. A resident African civet was frequently seen between tents 8 and 9 during late evening safaris. During these night drives, we also had great views of springhares, honey badgers, and genet cats.

The night skies were breathtaking, offering clear views of prominent constellations and stars. Guests marvelled at the Milky Way, Orion’s Belt and Scorpio while spotting Canopus in the constellation of Carina, Sirius in Canis Major, and the two pointer stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri. The frequent shooting stars added an extra touch of magic to our stargazing sessions!

(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!)

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Moremi Crossing Camp, June 2024

Moremi Crossing Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

One of the most thrilling moments of the month was witnessing a pride of 17 lions take down a buffalo.

The sheer power and coordination of the pride were on full display, and the drama intensified when a group of spotted hyenas attempted to steal the kill. The lions fiercely defended their prize, chasing the hyenas away in a theatrical display of dominance.

Another particularly memorable and intense moment was when a group of hyenas successfully snatched an impala kill from a leopard.

Boro River flows again and mokoro adventures resume

Exciting news for Moremi Crossing — the Boro River channel began flowing again towards the end of the month. Mokoro excursions took place again on the winding waters. The landscape was revitalized, and abundant food was brought in for the wildlife. Herds of buffalo, zebra, and giraffe were common, with large groups of wildebeest and zebra gathering around the waterholes in the afternoons, creating picturesque scenes of Botswana’s wildlife. The flowing river was also a particular lifeline for crocodiles, confined to waterholes during the dry spell. Seeing these formidable reptiles basking in the sun is always a crowd-pleaser.

The African wild dogs were on the move, and we tracked a pack of 22 not far from camp. Following these agile hunters as they coordinated their chase and ultimately made a kill was exhilarating!

The resident female leopard and her year-old cub were often sighted around the Sebanda area. Additionally, a young male leopard made occasional appearances.

Lion activity was nothing short of spectacular, and our guests were thrilled by these close encounters with Africa’s apex predators. The pride of 17 lions was incredibly active, and we frequently saw a pair of majestic male lions and three young males patrolling the Gunn’s Private Concession. The occasional appearance of other lion prides passing through to Moremi Game Reserve added even more excitement to our sightings. There were also a number of cheetah sightings.

Wild Wonders: Pel’s fishing owl and nature walks

The Pel’s fishing owl has become a familiar sight around camp, while the majestic African Fish Eagle captivated guests with its impressive hunting displays. The air was filled with the calls of robin chats and bee-eaters, and there were regular sightings of wattled cranes.

The scenery at Moremi Crossing is a beautiful mix of palm trees and tall termite mounds scattered across the plains. On nature walks, the elaborate structures of anthills and the intriguing behaviours of termites were significant points of interest. Guests had the opportunity to deeply connect with the environment in a personal way.

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Nxai Pan Camp, June 2024

Nxai Pan Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

The dry season funnelled animals toward the waterholes of Nxai Pan, drawing predators in close.

The resident pride of five lionesses were seen frequently often attempting to ambush prey like greater kudus and wildebeests.

The dry season’s hold on the landscape created a stark, skeletal beauty. Deciduous trees shed their leaves, standing bare against the vast sky. Dust devils twirled through the loose soil, and although the grass had dried out, it still provided much-needed sustenance for the wildlife.

The open terrain of Nxai Pan made hunting difficult, but the resident pride of five lionesses were determined and never gave up. They used patience and strategy, often seen mating with a large male who visited the wildlife waterhole. The rest of the pride moved west of camp, keeping a close eye on their surroundings.

On the eastern side of the pan, two male lions were a force to be reckoned with. The sharp, focused stares of zebras and kudus often betrayed their presence. These animals knew when the kings of the savanna were near, and their behaviour usually led our trackers straight to the lions.

Three thriving aardwolf dens

Three spotted hyenas visited the camp waterhole early one morning. Although no brown hyenas were seen, tracks indicated they were moving through the area. The real highlight, however, was the aardwolves. Three active dens were identified — one each on the west road, Baobab loop road, and middle road — and these fascinating creatures have become a consistent sight, often seen sitting by their dens or foraging in the late afternoon.

As usual, there were still big herds of elephants at the waterhole. Black-backed jackals were especially plentiful too, with up to 20 spotted daily. These opportunistic scavengers chased Cape turtle doves and helmeted guinea fowls at the waterholes and dug through dry elephant dung for termites. Despite the cooler weather, June brought a surprising variety of insects. Butterflies like the African monarch, yellow pansy, and brown-veined butterflies added splashes of colour to the otherwise muted landscape. Spiders were also on the move, with community nest spiders, golden orb-web spiders, and baboon spiders making appearances, weaving their webs across the dry brush.

Busy honey badgers and clever goshawks

Honey badgers were also common, particularly near the Hatab campsite, where they energetically dug for mice and beetles. Pale chanting goshawks regularly followed honey badgers, eagerly waiting to snatch up any escaping prey. The mighty Kori bustards, Africa’s heaviest flying birds, continued to awe guests with their impressive takeoffs. We also enjoyed frequent sightings of red-crested and northern black korhaans, ostriches, and various vultures, including lappet-faced and white-backed vultures. Secretary birds, with their long legs and graceful strut, patrolled the plains in search of snakes and rodents, while helmeted guinea fowls filled the early mornings with their bustling activity before settling to roost as the sunset.

Leopards have a way of leaving their presence felt without being seen. Fresh leopard tracks appeared regularly along the main road to Baines’ Baobabs and even within the camp itself, teasing us with the knowledge that these stealthy hunters were nearby, silently observing their domain. Cheetah tracks also hinted at their passage through the area. However, they blended seamlessly into the dry veld.

Crisp, clear nights provided unforgettable stargazing. The skies lit up with constellations like Scorpio, Southern Cross, Centaurus, Libra, and Leo, each shining brilliantly against the inky backdrop. Prominent stars such as Sirius, Canopus, Alpha Centauri, Aldebaran, and Betelgeuse dazzled too.

Cold-blooded creatures like snakes and lizards took advantage of the sun. A cape cobra basked on the West Road, its sleek form coiled in the daylight, while a rock monitor lizard became a regular feature near the airstrip road, often spotted soaking up the midday warmth. These sunbathing rituals were a reminder of how all creatures, great and small, adapt to the changing seasons.

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Pom Pom Camp, June 2024

Pom Pom Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

Guests were treated to the unique and rewarding experience of fleeting aardvark encounters shortly after dark.

Just last week, we spotted two aardvarks in different parts of the area. On another drive, an aardwolf was found sheltering in a culvert by the runway.

The Pom Pom Pack

Pom Pom’s resident African wild dog pack chose to den within the camp’s vicinity this month, making sightings of these endangered predators a frequent and thrilling event.

Two females in the pack recently gave birth — one to six puppies, the other to eight — making the den a hive of activity. The playful antics of the pups, combined with the high-energy hunts of the adults, offered guests an intimate look into the lives of these social and spirited animals. Their constant presence nearby ensured that every game drive held the possibility of encountering this remarkable pack.

Pom Pom continued to prove itself as a leopard haven, with sightings on almost every drive — morning and afternoon. Mornings and evenings were crisp with temperatures dropping to around 10-12°C. Guests found comfort in “bush babies” (hot water bottles) for use during the game drives and stayed warm while experiencing the wonders of the wilderness.

Two resident females, each with three cubs around four months old, were frequent stars and multiple leopards in a single drive were a regular occurrence, with these elusive cats either stalking prey or lounging in the shade of a large tree.

Pom Pom Camp is also home to an astonishing number of spotted hyenas (aardwolves are also part of the hyena family), especially compared to other regions. It’s not unusual to see nearly 20 hyenas at a time, particularly when they’re trying to raid lion kills, especially those without the protection of dominant male lions.

These wily creatures were often seen trailing behind hunting African wild dogs or attempting to shoplift kills. This month, their audacity was fully displayed, with tense and often violent interactions between hyenas and other predators.

Young hunters in training

As the dry season deepened, the floodplains around Pom Pom Camp came alive with wildlife. Pom Pom, located at the head of the Xudum channel and on the western edge of the Moremi Game Reserve, was home to elephants that splashed through the channels, large herds of zebras, wildebeests, tsessebes, kudus, impalas, and the aquatic red lechwe. Large herds of herbivores converged, drawn by the remaining water sources, and where prey gathered, predators were never far behind.

A mother cheetah with her three subadult cubs became another regular feature of our safaris, with guests spotting them twice a week. These young cheetahs, still learning the art of the hunt, were seen feasting on red lechwe and warthog kills, showing signs of becoming proficient hunters. Alongside this family, two solitary cheetahs were spotted, demonstrating impressive hunting skills.

Among the most thrilling sights this month were the resident lions, particularly lionesses with cubs born in June. Some of these young cubs, barely eight weeks old, were seen exploring their new world, learning the ways of lion life. The floodplains, rich with prey, provided a perfect training ground for these little ones.

A surge of raptors soared above the floodplains. Martial eagles, brown snake eagles, and tawny eagles patrolled the skies, their sharp eyes scanning the plains for prey. The arrival of the floodwaters created the perfect environment for the Pel’s fishing owl, a much sought-after species by avid birdwatchers.

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Lagoon Camp, June 2024

Lagoon Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

June roared to life as two male lions claimed their territory along Bee Eaters Road, their calls echoing through the early morning air.

Not far from Lagoon Camp, a group of lionesses soaked up the sun’s warmth, their regal forms a contrast to the chaos that would soon unfold. The Holy Pride lived up to its formidable reputation, making an unforgettable appearance right by the workshop, bringing down an impala. Tensions escalated when the pride clashed with a lone lioness fiercely defending her cubs, a reminder that survival is often a battle of will in the wild.

With pride sizes fluctuating between 8 and 18 members, these apex predators ensured every safari left guests in awe. Throughout the month, lions were spotted across various locations — Muddy Waters, Main Road, Airstrip Road, and Marsh Road — feasting on an elephant carcass or skillfully taking down a red lechwe.

Each leopard sighting was more captivating than the last. Morning and afternoon drives regularly rewarded guests with glimpses of leopards along Main Road, Dithakadu Road, and 1st Lagoon. One especially unforgettable encounter featured a subadult female leopard elegantly perched in a tree, scanning her surroundings. Early in the month, two subadult leopards finished off an impala kill along the riverbank, a meal their mother had caught. These elusive cats were also spotted feeding on an elephant carcass.

However, the month ended on a sombre note with the tragic loss of Mma Mazabuka, a beloved leopard, who was killed by a lion. Her cubs, still too young to survive alone, were discovered nearby, along with a carcass secured in a tree. It was a heart-wrenching end to an otherwise exciting month of leopard encounters and a haunting reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wild.

Colourful bee-eaters and swift cheetahs

Martial eagles, vultures, secretary birds, tawny eagles, and brown snake eagles soared through the skies. Meanwhile, ostriches strutted through the plains around Muddy Waters and 1st Lagoon. In their vibrant hues, Bee-eaters flitted through the trees, adding splashes of colour and delighting novice and experienced birders.

June began with a fleeting encounter with a shy male cheetah on Ipelege Road, who melted into the surrounding bush as quickly as he appeared. But as the days passed, cheetah sightings grew more exciting. Two well-fed males were spotted near Fallen Baobab, having successfully taken down an impala. A mother with two six-month-old cubs was observed sharing a meal, an impala kill. A pair of brother cheetahs, seen at the junction of Maheke and Zebra Road, rounded out an impressive month of cheetah encounters, proving that Lagoon Camp is as much their domain as it is the lions’.

African wild dog sightings were limited, with only one sighting of a pair along Beetsha Road. However, tracks suggest a much larger pack, possibly 15 to 30 dogs, moving through Maheke Road from the woodland areas to hunt before retreating back into the Mopane.

So much to see at Lagoon Camp

Elephants, giraffes, and hippos dominated the landscape around Lagoon Camp, with herds of elephants making their majestic trek to the Kwando River, often passing by during brunch. Elands graced Main Road, while side-striped jackals became familiar near the camp firebreak. Water Affairs became a bustling hub of hippo activity, while zebra herds frequented Bothapa Tlou Pan and nearby areas. Pythons, water monitors, rock woodland lizards, and crocodiles regularly, particularly around 1st Lagoon, Muddy Waters, and Water Affairs Island. Basking in the winter sun, these reptiles took full advantage of the cooler temperatures.

Night drives revealed the hidden world of smaller mammals — civets, bat-eared foxes, porcupines, genets, aardwolves, and even the endangered pangolin. Frequent sightings of steenboks and springhares added to the rich tapestry of nocturnal life that makes the Kwando Private Concession such a magical place.

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Kwara and Splash Camp, June 2024

Published June 30, 2024 by Kwando Safaris

At Splash Camp, aardwolves were found raising two pups in a den, and serval cats were hunted with precision during night drives.

There were also frequent appearances by bat-eared foxes, African wild cats, honey badgers, civets, genets, and porcupines.

The resident male cheetah at Kwara provided heart-pounding moments, chasing down a male impala only to have his hard-earned kill stolen by opportunistic spotted hyenas. This male was regularly seen hunting near Splash Hippos and Ngorongoro. A female cheetah at Impala Pan was observed feeding on an impala and later attempting an unsuccessful hunt on the southern side of Mangosteen Island.

At Splash, a new male cheetah claimed the territory once ruled by Mr. Special. Specialised in hunting warthogs, his predictable movements made him a regular feature on safari drives, delighting guests with his hunting prowess.

Countless kills, cats and Kwara Lion Pride splits

Abundant herds of buffaloes, elephants, zebras, red lechwes, tsessebes, wildebeests, and giraffes roamed the Kwando Private Concession, providing plenty of prey. Notably, breeding herds of elephants have been seen swimming along the Kwara floodplains and Splash reported sightings of roans, sable antelopes, and significant herds of buffaloes and elephants moving south.

The Kwara Pride has split into two distinct family units. This significant split indicates a change in the pride’s social structure and behaviour. One male patrols around Last Mabala, while his two brothers have been frequently sighted near the Bat-Eared Fox Den. The pride feasted on a giraffe carcass in a scene teeming with drama as two hyenas and countless vultures circled for scraps.

Meanwhile, the Mma Leitlho Pride dominated the southern side of Ngorongoro Lagoon. We tracked them to the remnants of a red lechwe kill and later feeding on a giraffe calf, alerted to their presence by the alarm calls of side-striped jackals. Near the airstrip, a lone male lion from the Mopane Pride was observed mating with a female before stealing an impala carcass from a leopard.

At Splash Camp, lion sightings were equally spectacular. A northern influx of lions searching for prey led to intense territorial clashes, pushing the resident males and the Mma Leitlho Pride southeast. One new male lion met a tragic end, killed by three Kwara Pride males near the airstrip, highlighting the brutal nature of lion dominance in these areas.

The resident female leopard at Kwara, Sadi, was seen feeding on an impala carcass with her two cubs. Another female with one cub regularly appeared in the southern Ngorongoro Lagoon area. A thrilling leopard battle between two males in the long grass added excitement to our leopard log. One female leopard was even spotted scavenging an elephant carcass on Flame Lily Road, proving survival requires adaptability.

At Splash, a reliable resident female leopard raised her cub in Ngorongoro, but sadly, she lost one of her cubs during the month. New, more elusive leopards were also observed in the area, adding a sense of mystery to the wilderness.

Hyenas at the den

The resident pack of 21 African wild dogs made a long-awaited return to Kwara after a three-week absence. Meanwhile, a smaller pack of three was seen chasing red lechwe with determination. The same trio, including a collared male, occasionally appeared near Splash Camp.

Spotted hyena activity surged at Kwara, where the southern den was bustled with a new pup, and we witnessed hyenas stealing an impala carcass from a leopard. A group of 12 hyenas was spotted between Flame Lily and One Hippo, suggesting a nearby den. Around Splash Camp’s Tau Island, hyena sightings were equally exciting, with three one-month-old pups and four older pups surrounded by six mothers. Hyenas were also seen scavenging a male giraffe carcass, joined by black-backed jackals in a classic scene of scavenger teamwork.

Crocodiles, geckos, side-striped skinks, and the occasional black mamba were seen. At Splash, water monitor lizards took advantage of the influx of floodwater while birds filled the skies. Flocks of pelicans fed in trapped rivers by the new bridge, joined by yellow-billed storks, wattled cranes, slaty egrets, and African spoonbills.

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