Brown hyena sightings were a highlight this month, even though these elusive creatures quickly vanished into the marsh when spotted.
The resident pack of 12 African wild dogs, consisting of seven adults and five puppies, were highly active, moving between Selinda, Lebala, and Lagoon.
We had the incredible experience of watching them hunt and successfully take down an impala right in front of camp while we were enjoying breakfast. We followed them on several afternoon hunts, but they weren’t always successful. However, we often found them most mornings feeding on their primary prey impala.
Large herds of elephants were frequently spotted, often accompanied by playful calves. We enjoyed watching the elephants cross the river channels, bathe in the mud, and even spray themselves with water to cool off. Bachelor herds of buffalo were common along the marsh. At the same time, the semi-aquatic sitatunga antelope has been a real treat for guests, particularly when males ventured into more open areas.
Another memorable sighting involved a group of spotted hyenas feeding on the remains of a buffalo after lions had finished their meal. This provided an excellent opportunity to observe their scavenging behaviour. With the dry season in full swing, much of the wildlife has been concentrated around the marsh, and the lion prides of Lebala took full advantage.
Two strong male lion coalitions at Lebala
One of the most fascinating developments was the emergence of two coalitions of male lions, each consisting of three individuals. The older, more dominant coalition, known as the Golden Boys, expanded its territory toward Lagoon, while the younger coalition, referred to as Rra Pandane, now asserts control over the southern area. Both coalitions shared access to a single pride of lionesses, which moved between the two territories. The tension between the two coalitions has been palpable. On several nights, we listened to the roaring contests between the two groups, with their aggressive calls echoing across the landscape. At times, we could even hear the sounds of fighting in the distance. By morning, the Golden Boys would be back in the northern territory, while the Rra Pandane coalition would have retreated to the southern boundary, with the camp seeming to act as a natural border between them.

We encountered multiple leopards in a single day on several occasions this month. One female leopard with two cubs was spotted frequently, although her cubs remained shy and tended to retreat into the thickets whenever we approached. Another female with a single cub (estimated to be around two months old) also roamed the area.
We followed a female leopard and her year-old male cub on several hunts, and one especially thrilling sighting involved a common reedbuck kill. The cub, now almost grown, was reluctant to share the meal with his mother, growling whenever she approached. Meanwhile, the two dominant male leopards in the area have been tracking each other’s movements, marking the same territories and leaving scent trails. A younger male, who was previously chased off, has reappeared in the southern part of the Kwando Private Concession, avoiding conflict with the bigger males in the north. One evening, as we tracked this younger male, we watched as an African fish eagle landed nearby, and the leopard responded by trying to attack the bird — a rare and exciting interaction.
Coalitions and constellations
The coalition of two male cheetah brothers was a constant source of excitement, though tracking them sometimes required hours of patience. We followed them on multiple hunts, witnessing their stealthy stalking and high-speed chases, though they didn’t always succeed in bringing down prey. One day, a female cheetah entered the area, leaving scent marks that the brothers eagerly followed. We saw the pair temporarily split up as they tried to locate the female, showcasing the intense dynamics of cheetah courtship.
Large crocodiles basked along the river banks, enjoying the sun’s warmth. We also had a few encounters with snakes, though many darted into the tall grass before we could identify them. Insect activity has increased, with various species of grasshoppers, beetles, and dragonflies becoming more prominent as the season progressed.
The birds have enjoyed this flush of life, too. We had not seen any nesting carmine bee-eaters yet, but white-fronted bee-eaters nested along the riverbanks. Secretary birds roamed the plains while raptors such as African fish eagles, tawny eagles, and bateleurs were observed in the skies, often scanning for prey from high above. The wetlands provided excellent opportunities to view wading birds like herons and storks.
Wildlife showed remarkable resilience despite the increasing aridity of the woodlands and the dropping water levels in the channels. Certain trees, such as the knobbly combretum, sausage trees, rain trees, and candle-pod acacia, started to bloom, adding vibrant splashes of colour to the otherwise dry terrain.
The night sky was a breathtaking spectacle, with minimal cloud cover revealing constellations such as Orion, Scorpio, and Libra. The stars, paired with the dry season’s crisp air, made for some truly incredible evenings under the African sky. African wild cats, genets, civets, and springhares were regular sightings on our nocturnal excursions, adding to the enchantment of the night. The white-tailed mongoose was spotted on multiple night drives, and porcupines became a familiar sight in and 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!)