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Nxai Pan Camp, September 2024

The lions of Nxai Pan impressed us with their majestic presence. One morning, three resident lionesses rested beside the camp waterhole. The following day, the entire pride was spotted at the same waterhole, their bellies full.

Evidence of their feast was clear, with vultures circling above the trees. Their recent kill was located just south of the waterhole in the woods.

The same lionesses were seen at the southern side of the wildlife waterhole, this time with a kudu calf kill. Adding to the drama, two males were heard roaring throughout the night. Their tracks led us to discover that they had visited the camp swimming pool for a drink.

Leopard tracks were also frequently found along the roads during game drives and within camp. The silent nature of this magnificent predator added to the excitement of knowing they were always near, even if unseen.

On 25 September, one lioness graced the waterhole, while another was seen at the wildlife waterhole feasting on a zebra, surrounded by vultures and opportunistic jackals.

A final lion highlight occurred on the 27th when three lionesses appeared just in front of the lodge. They spent the night nearby while guests enjoyed dinner, offering a close and unforgettable wildlife experience.

Springboks, elephants and more paraded the salt pans 

Springboks filled the pans, feeding on the nutrient-rich grasses alongside impalas. Blue wildebeests were a daily sight, often in large herds. A notable shift was observed as buffalo herds visited our waterhole in the mornings and afternoons, likely due to a temporary lack of water at the wildlife waterhole. Zebras also arrived in impressive numbers, painting the pans with their iconic stripes — a fascinating sight for this time of year

Elephants were a highlight, with large breeding herds and bachelor groups frequently quenching their thirst at the waterhole. Most herds appeared in the afternoons. Giraffe sightings were more limited as they ventured deeper into the bush but occasionally emerged for water.

Elephants at Nxai Pan

Dragonflies danced above the waterhole, feeding on smaller insects, while ground agama lizards were spotted basking in the sun. A leopard tortoise was seen leisurely crossing Baobab Loop, its slow pace a stark contrast to the dynamic movements of other wildlife. Butterflies added splashes of colour to the landscape, with species such as the African monarch, yellow pansy, scarlet tip and painted lady fluttering through the camp.

We also spotted Egyptian geese, grey herons, red-billed teals, and African open-billed storks at the waterhole. Nesting white-backed vultures and lappet-faced vultures were observed near the roads, and other notable sightings included the kori bustard, crimson-breasted shrike, yellow-billed hornbills, Marico flycatchers, greater kestrels, pale chanting goshawks.

Stunning scenery on a day trip to Baines’ Baobabs 

The journey to Baines’ Baobab was always an adventure, with vistas of vast plains transitioning to tall grasslands and finally opening up to the unforgettable Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The mirage on the far horizon created an illusion of water, adding a surreal touch to the scenery. Solitary oryx bulls, with their impressive horns, were repeatedly seen seeking shade along this route during the hotter parts of the day.

Aardwolves were seen along West Road and Middle Road during the day, basking in the sun outside their burrows, while bat-eared fox pairs were spotted moving about the pans, foraging for insects and small prey. Scrub hares were frequently observed at night near the camp, foraging under cover of darkness. Up above, September constellations, Scorpio, the Southern Cross, Gemini, and Sagittarius were clearly visible, as were stars like Sirius, Canopus, and Procyon. The camp’s strategic location, with minimal light pollution and short trees, offered unparalleled views of the celestial wonders.

African wild dogs had not been seen for some time, but we identified tracks along the road to the airstrip, proving they still roamed nearby.

(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!)