A dramatic shift in the lion hierarchy is playing out at Lebala. The three dominant males have been pushing their boundaries northward toward the Lagoon area, leaving the southern territories exposed.
This opening allowed a coalition of younger males, aged between five and seven years, to seize control of the southern region. Skimmer Pan now marks the invisible line between the two rival coalitions.
Tensions reached a boiling point when the dominant males returned from the south, bearing fresh scars from battles over territory. Their females, who had spent time with the new males during their absence, were quickly reclaimed. One particularly intense night saw the camp reverberating with the roars of combat. By morning, the dominant males had emerged victorious, mating with the females who had briefly courted the new coalition. Despite these fierce encounters, the dominant trio still controls the north, while the younger coalition has secured the southern region.
One of the lionesses, who had been pregnant, separated from the pride to give birth. Though we didn’t witness the birth itself, we saw signs of her lactating and later spotted her hunting alongside another adult female. We have yet to see her cubs but eagerly await their debut.
A tense cheetah pursuit interrupted
After tracking a pair of cheetahs for hours one morning, we found them resting but alert, preparing for their next move. By afternoon, they had climbed a tree to scan for prey, and their patience was rewarded when they spotted a herd of impalas.
As the cheetahs sprinted toward their target, the sightlines of everyone in the vehicle were glued to the unfolding drama. However, just as they closed in, a spotted hyena burst onto the scene, scattering the impalas and thwarting the cheetah’s efforts.
The hyena den remains active, with three cubs of varying ages providing plenty of entertainment. Two cubs are nearly the same age, while the third is a younger, scrappier addition. The mother’s protective presence is constant, though the calls of other hyenas suggest a larger clan lurking nearby.
One gripping scene involved a group of hyenas waiting for days near the site where lions had killed a buffalo. For five days, they lingered, patiently watching until the lions left. Once the lions moved on, the hyenas took over, greedily finishing the remains while fending off jackals and vultures in a chaotic, noisy spectacle of scavenging.
Large herds of elephants, wildebeest, and kudu were regularly spotted near the marsh, seeking relief from the climbing temperatures. Though fewer buffalo herds were seen, bachelor groups lingered near the river, their massive frames silhouetted against the sunset. The richness of the marsh area continues to provide nourishment for many species, but the landscape is dry, and we started to see the effects of the drought. However, the vegetation remains varied, with blooming trees attracting browsing species like kudus and giraffes.
Lebala leopard rivalries
Leopard tracking this month has been an exciting challenge, with many sightings resulting from hours of tracking through the bush. Two males who have long been rivals were spotted at different times, continuing their battle for dominance. We noticed that when one of the male leopards ventured into the marsh area, the other remained in the woodland. Both were tracking each other using the same paths.
One of the males attempted to stalk two baboons, one of which was limping. The baboons, however, spotted the predator in time and escaped. Unfazed, the leopard quickly switched tactics and began stalking warthogs near a termite mound. In an incredible display of skill and patience, we witnessed him take down a warthog and settle in for a meal as the sun set.
We’ve also seen three female leopards in the area, including one who spent two days marking her territory. It’s been fascinating to observe her scent marking in the same areas as the males, asserting her presence in this contested land.
Fires were visible on the Namibian side of the river, casting an orange glow across the horizon at night. Meanwhile, the water levels, which were rising earlier in the year, have stabilized. Large crocodiles became a common sight along the riverbanks, often basking in groups of three or more. Their prehistoric forms lay motionless in the sun, providing a stark contrast to the smaller reptiles and insects also spotted this month. Notable among them was a rock monitor lizard, seen foraging through the woodlands. Insects have been less active, but we’ve noticed some interesting sightings of carpenter bees and ants.
The Southern Carmine Bee-eaters have returned, signalling the changing season as they search for nesting grounds. Secretary birds have also been spotted more frequently, with some observed in pairs, likely preparing for the breeding season.
The night sky was particularly clear, offering stunning views of constellations and stars, especially when the moon was absent. African wild cats have been particularly active, frequently spotted during morning, evening, and night drives. Aardwolves were spotted several times, along with genets, civets, and porcupines, all making their rounds around camp.
(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!)