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Kwara and Splash Camp, August 2024

Both Kwara and Splash experienced an abundance of general game. Massive herds of buffalo were frequently seen along Tsum Tsum Road and Bat Eared Fox plains, often attracting the attention of lions, with multiple prides crisscrossing the area.

In Kwara, the fragmented pride of lionesses became a frequent sight, nurturing their cubs. One game drive, we followed lion tracks for nearly an hour, leading us to a tense stand-off between the lions and a massive herd of buffalo. Dust rose as the lions attempted to breach the herd’s defences, but the buffaloes stood their ground, shielding their calves from the predators in a breathtaking display.

At Splash, lion dynamics took on a fascinating complexity. Multiple prides navigated the area, leading to unpredictable encounters. A lone female, with her cubs in tow, sought refuge deep within the marshes to avoid marauding males and rival prides. Three new pairs of young male lions were seen, putting pressure on the established dominant males, who spent much of their time patrolling territory to fend off these challengers.

The Return of the African wild dogs: playful puppies stole the show

After months of absence, the big pack of wild dogs made a triumphant return to the area, bringing with them 13 energetic puppies. Their playful antics and thrilling chases, especially when they pursued red lechwe through water, created dramatic scenes right in front of Kwara Camp. The excitement was palpable as the pack reestablished itself, while a splinter group of four adults explored independently, adding some unpredictability to their movements and keeping us on the edge of our game drive seats.

Wild dogs Kwara Camp

At Splash, wild dog sightings soared toward the end of the month as this resident pack, with its 18 adults and 13 puppies, revitalized the predator landscape. Their presence led to unforgettable game drives filled with heartwarming and dynamic interactions, showcasing the interconnectedness of the wildlife in the area.

Pangolins and spotted hyena dens

August night drives proved especially rewarding for spotting smaller, often overlooked creatures. Civets, genets, servals and honey badgers were seen frequently, while rarer finds included aardvarks and multiple sightings of the endangered pangolin.

Hyenas continued to make their presence known, both audibly and visually. At Kwara, a new den south of Pelican Pan was discovered, and a lone female and her offspring became regular visitors. The eerie nighttime howls were a constant reminder of the wilderness beyond the campfire, and a particularly intriguing moment came when four hyenas were tracked hot on the trail of a young male lion.

Leopard and cheetah encounters: stealth and surprise!

Kwara and Splash camps didn’t disappoint with multiple sightings of these elusive cats. At Kwara, a large male leopard was spotted stalking reedbucks along Riverine Road, while a shy female was seen dining on an impala high up in a tree at Machaba East.

Meanwhile, a resident female and her playful cub at Splash delighted visitors with their nurturing and mischievous antics. However, the mood shifted when another female, known for previously having two cubs around Ngorongoro, was seen with only one, sparking concern for the missing offspring. The imposing resident male leopard, Rra Tsebe, continued his reign, confidently patrolling the plains between Tau Island, the airstrip and Lechwe Plains.

At Kwara, a formidable coalition of two male cheetahs continued to dominate the landscape. These speedsters were seen feasting on a warthog near Lechwe Corner, often returning to familiar posts once marked by the famous cheetah, Mr. Special. Guests were mesmerized by the sheer speed and precision of the hunt when watching these cheetahs in full pursuit of prey. It’s a performance that remains one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in the Okavango Delta.

Elephants were plentiful, with large herds moving through the Kwara Private Concession, taking advantage of the seasonal water sources. Unique sightings of rarer species like roan and sable antelope were also recorded, along with the usual abundance of zebras, wildebeests, tsessebes, red lechwes, and other small antelopes.

A happening heronry and other birding highlights

The heronry bustled with marabou storks and carmine bee-eaters. Sitatunga antelope were sighted along the channel during boat cruises, and water monitors and crocodiles were often seen basking along the riverbanks.

Boat Cruise Kwara Camp

Raptors like martial eagles and African fish eagles patrolled the skies while the resident wattled cranes at Splash continued to impress bird enthusiasts.

At the same time, the seasonal floods led to an uptick in insect life, with dragonflies and butterflies creating a lively buzz around camp water sources.

(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!)