The Holy Pride, consisting of one lioness and six cubs, delighted our guests with a spectacular sighting along Impala Road one morning when they successfully killed an unsuspecting warthog.
This pride remained a consistent presence in the area. Two male lions were occasionally seen moving between First Lagoon and Kwena Lagoon. The Mma Mosetlha pride, which had two-month-old cubs, was spotted near Badisa Road. Meanwhile, the three male lions from the Lebala, known as the Golden Boys, recently took over the territory previously held by the two males, who have since moved further north. The Lagoon Pride, known for thriving in the marshy areas, was spotted hunting red lechwes across the camp.
Birdwatchers were treated to sightings of southern carmine Bee-eaters along the Kwando riverbanks, about a kilometre from camp. Other notable sightings included the brown snake eagle, tawny eagle, woolly-necked stork, and wattled crane.
A pack of six African wild dogs was regularly seen this month along Airstrip Road, Firewood Pans, and Pan Road, where they made kills of both impala and warthog. In addition, another pack consisting of eight adults and seven puppies was seen on the western side of the camp.
A leopardess and her cubs
A mother leopard and her two cubs, aged six to seven months, were frequently spotted on the northern side of Lagoon Camp, along the Upper Kwando, Madisa Road, and Mosima wa Diphiri. Two subadult leopards, one male and one female, were also seen regularly. The female was seen around James Road, and the male kept primarily to the marshy areas near Bee-eater Road.
Two cheetah brothers were observed along First and Second Lagoon at the start of November. After successfully killing an impala, the brothers were tracked for about 30 minutes as they moved across the area. The brothers have been seen regularly along Upper Kwando Road. A female cheetah was also observed in the Plateau area near the Kalahari apple leaf.
The hyena den on Maheke Road was home to 23 spotted hyenas and their 9 cubs. It has been a constant source of activity, and several hyenas were observed in the surrounding areas, particularly near the camp. Aardwolves and bat-eared foxes were spotted on our night game drives between First and Second Lagoon.
Large herds of elands, zebras, and wildebeest were spotted around Water Affairs Island. Hippos were logged almost daily. Giraffes with calves, herds of buffalo, sable antelope, and black-backed jackals were seen throughout the month. Muddy Waters and Second Lagoon became home to some impressive crocodiles. Additionally, African Rock Pythons were observed several times.
The clear skies this month provided a stunning view of the celestial wonders. Venus, Jupiter, the Orion Belt, and Uranus were visible, offering a breathtaking spectacle to those who gazed at the night sky.
(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!)