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Dinare Camps, September 2024

Caracal were reported three times this month. One relaxed individual was observed along Impala Road, while another shy caracal was seen drinking at a waterhole.

This month also delivered an adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Kwando guides tracked the famed four cheetah brothers through dense mopane woodland to Roan’s Pan.

After a suspenseful 40-minute pursuit, the brothers were spotted in hunting mode. Their initial target, a dazzle of zebras, evaded them, but the action didn’t end there. A sudden burst of speed turned the tide as the brothers chased down and captured a common duiker, leaving guests in awe of astonishing agility. These four brothers continued to dominate the area, marking territory and showcasing their remarkable teamwork.

Another consistent highlight was a mother cheetah with her four cubs, now around four months old. Once shy, the cubs have grown bolder, and guests were treated to a spectacular moment when the mother took down a fully grown kudu. She later dragged the massive carcass into the shade, allowing her cubs to feast.

Four lion prides, four tiny cubs, and two elephant kills

At Rra Dinare, Tee’s pride made an epic return after months of absence. Their formidable presence was felt across the Dinare Private Reserve. Led by a single male, the pride of five lionesses and seven older cubs took down two young elephants within days. One memorable morning, they were discovered blood-stained and feasting on a subadult elephant carcass. Four days later, they had taken down another young elephant with the pride swarming the prey in under 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the territorial Gomoti Boys continued to assert their dominance, showing guests the complex lives of lions with their overlapping territories and pride dynamics.

Rra Dinare Lion
Image taken by KA Pride

Over at Mma Dinare, the resident lion pride delighted guests with the debut of four tiny cubs, just a few weeks old.

These vulnerable additions brought tender moments to the harsh wilderness, while their mothers and the pride’s three dominant males showcased their strength and unity by hunting in the Paradise Grasslands. Meanwhile, the Batshabi Pride solidified their reputation as buffalo specialists with multiple successful hunts throughout the month.

Spotted hyenas were often seen scavenging from lion and cheetah kills. At Mma Dinare, guests frequently visited an active hyena den near the camp, where pups played under the watchful eyes of the adults. At Rra Dinare, Kwando guides tracked some intriguing drag marks for over an hour, eventually locating a secretive new den where eight hyena cubs were observed outside with adults.

A growing pack of African wild dogs and lots of leopards

At Mma Dinare, a massive pack of 32 wild dogs, including 15 playful puppies, was spotted near camp. Guests were captivated by the interactions between the adults and puppies, especially as the pack returned from hunts to regurgitate food for the young ones

At Rra Dinare, wild dog tracking became an adventure. One sighting involved nearly two hours of following tracks before the dogs were found playfully interacting near their temporary den. The pack’s hierarchy was shifting, with a younger subordinate male stepping into leadership roles as an ageing alpha male started to take a backseat.

Rra Dinare Leopard
Image taken by KA Pride

At Mma Dinare, a large male leopard was frequently seen with impala kills hoisted high in the trees. Rralebodu, the dominant male, continued to assert his dominance, mating with multiple females and successfully hunting warthogs, dragging one up a tree.

On one occasion, we followed alarm calls from birds and impalas, which led to the discovery of a leopard cub. While searching for the cub, the guides stumbled upon its mother, also with a fresh kill – a phenomenal double sighting!

At Rra Dinare, an extraordinary interaction unfolded between a female leopard and an intruder near her kill, which was secured up a raintree. The two leopards engaged in a tense standoff, vocalizing and salivating but avoiding physical confrontation.

Great game – day and night!  

The dry, dusty plains were softened by the blooming sausage trees. Their red flowers lured baboons and impalas to their shade while giraffes eagerly awaited the ripening pods.

Although receding, the Gomoti River still allowed for short mokoro trips, during which guests enjoyed tranquil encounters with frogs, water lilies, and aquatic birds. The surrounding grasslands teemed with life. Elephants, giraffes, kudus, zebras, and buffalo herds moved in harmony with red lechwes and reedbucks, while roan sable antelopes took up residence in the woodlands nearest the river. Hippos and crocodiles ruled the waterways.

The arrival of summer migrants enriched the birdlife. Carmine and European bee-eaters dazzled with their vibrant colours while the haunting call of the African fish eagle echoed along the Gomoti River. Yellow-billed kites, yellow-billed storks, and various other species were frequently seen, offering spectacular birding opportunities.

Guided bush walks provided guests with a deeper connection to the wilderness, focusing on animal tracks, plants, and smaller creatures.

Night drives revealed honey badgers, porcupines, servals, civets, genets, and bat-eared foxes.

(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!)