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Pom Pom Camp, August 2024

August brought both joy and sorrow to the resident African wild dog pack. They relocated their den 15km away, and the pack (initially consisting of 13 adults and 14 puppies) unfortunately dropped to 10 puppies due to predation by hyenas.

Despite declining African wild dog numbers, we were treated to some genuinely exhilarating moments. One morning, a pack chased an impala through the main area. Within minutes, the dogs made a successful kill, and just five minutes later, the puppies arrived to join in the feast — a thrilling breakfast-time spectacle for our guests!

With a spotted hyena den just 1.5km from camp, sightings of these often misunderstood predators were everyday occurrences. With the wild dogs moving out of the area, the hyenas struggled to scavenge from the dogs’ kills, and we witnessed several failed hunts this month. The hyenas targeted red lechwe and impalas but came up short each time. One particularly fascinating afternoon, we watched their relentless, yet unsuccessful, attempts to hunt lechwe in the water.

Leopard spotted during a mokoro trip

Some trees shed their leaves, and the grass dried, but the floodplains and lagoons remained vibrant, making wildlife sightings in these open areas even more exciting.

Birdwatching at Pom Pom Camp was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to the thriving wetlands. Egrets, geese, and the elusive Pel’s fishing owl have delighted birdwatchers, particularly during mokoro excursions. The water levels dropped slightly, limiting our water-based activities to short mokoro rides. Still, this serene water-based activity allowed guests to get close to the vibrant birdlife, watching them in their natural habitats. 

One of the month’s most unforgettable wildlife moments occurred during a mokoro activity when a male leopard was spotted crossing the water —an incredibly rare and exhilarating experience for our guests.

On another occasion, we followed a female leopard during a morning game drive stealthily stalking a male impala. After a perfectly calculated hunt, she made her kill, but the real magic happened when she returned to fetch her cubs, leading them back to the fresh meal. Witnessing her delicate balance of hunter and mother left everyone in awe.

Mokoro pom pom

A cheetah mother and her three six-month-old cubs were frequently observed on hunts. She made regular kills to keep her cubs fed, and guests witnessed her bring down impalas with calculated precision. Yet, as lion, leopard, and hyena activity increased, the cheetahs gradually moved out of the area, seeking safer grounds for their vulnerable cubs. A lone male cheetah in the region was also frequently spotted, though his solo hunts proved more difficult in this predator-rich environment.

Keeping track of the Pom Pom lions

The arrival of two intruder male lions disrupted the peace. The Pom Pom Pride, once dominant, was pushed from its territory, causing lion sightings to be a bit more sporadic. Yet this added tension between prides only heightened the thrill of each encounter, as the shifting dynamics created a volatile and captivating atmosphere.

One morning, Kwando guides and trackers trailed fresh lion prints across the plains at dawn. They pieced together the clues for nearly an hour, leading them to the pride resting peacefully on the floodplains. But their rest was brief — after about 15 minutes, the lions stirred and moved toward the river. Guests were treated to an unforgettable sight as the pride crossed the river onto an island.

Lions Pom Pom Okavango Delta

Whether grazing peacefully or engaging in playful antics, the sheer volume of wildlife made every game drive a thrilling experience. Massive herds of elephants, buffaloes, wildebeests, and red lechwes filled the plains, while impalas, kudus, and zebras dotted the landscape. Baboons and monkeys provided lively entertainment, while hippos and giraffes added a gentle majesty to the scenery.

During night drives, African civets, side-striped jackals, and honey badgers were regularly spotted, while springhares, porcupines, and small-spotted genets enchanted guests. Aardwolves and African wild cats also made cameos, with dusk sundowners the perfect prelude to these magical sightings.

As winter temperatures lingered, reptile activity remained minimal. However, crocodiles and water monitor lizards were still seen basking along the riverbanks. Insects were relatively scarce, but with the warmer weather on the horizon, we’ve noticed a slight increase in activity, hinting at the changes to come.

(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!)