One rare highlight was spotting a caracal near a tent, which guests initially mistook for a lion cub.
The Gomoti River was a magnet for the general game, especially in the heat of October. Mokoro safaris remained a highlight, with sightings of elephants, spur-winged geese, pygmy geese, and African jacanas. Large herds of buffalo, giraffes, elephants, and kudus gathered along the river banks. Crocodiles were frequently seen basking, while several were spotted feeding on a dead elephant in the water.
Night drives, meanwhile, revealed the secrets of the bush, with sightings of African wild cats, servals, and scrub hares. A standout moment involved lions attempting to hunt a porcupine, showcasing the challenges predators face even with small prey. Owls, including Verreaux’s eagle-owl and African barred owlets, added to the nocturnal magic.
The largest herd of buffalo spotted included over 500 individuals passing in front of Mma Dinare. Elephants often approached the camp during siesta hours, offering incredible close-up views.
One evening, a female leopard with blood-stained fur was seen drinking water, suggesting a fresh kill. The following morning, guides tracked her and discovered a male leopard feeding on an impala. Amazingly, a female leopard and her cub joined him, creating a rare sight of three leopards together.
Later in the month, a male leopard was spotted mating with a female near Rra Dinare Camp. Meanwhile, a young female leopard delighted guests by lounging on a rain tree branch, later seen feeding on an impala in a camel thorn acacia. Another resident female leopard with her five-month-old cub was also frequently sighted near Mma Dinare Camp, offering heartwarming views of her maternal care.
The Gomoti lion pride also offered spectacular moments. One lioness, caring for her four very young cubs, kept the pride nearby for protection. In one instance, the pride killed a zebra close to Mma Dinare Camp, and guests were treated to the rare sight of cubs venturing out. Another unforgettable sighting involved five subadults from Gomoti Pride near Mma Dinare’s Room 10. They stole an impala kill from a leopard, which hastily retreated to the safety of a fever berry tree.
The resident African wild dog pack of 32 was highly active, with 17 puppies joining hunts. On one occasion, the pack rested near Cat’s Pan after a morning meal. The next day, they were seen hunting impalas near Rra Dinare Camp, successfully taking down two impalas and feeding in two separate locations.
Another memorable sighting occurred near Nxaraga, where the pack took down three impalas after a dramatic chase by the river.
Small mammals delighted guests during night drives, with sightings of bat-eared foxes, porcupines feeding on sausage fruits, and black-backed jackals scavenging on the abundant impala remains.
Tracking cheetahs and the first rains
Zebras, tsessebes, impalas, and reedbucks were frequently seen along the river, while rarer species like sable and roan antelopes occasionally appeared. One morning, a relaxed eland was spotted between the camps.
We tracked the Dinare coalition of four male cheetahs for hours across vast areas of the Dinare Private Reserve, showcasing their relentless movement in search of prey. One morning, they were found resting but later successfully brought down a female kudu, allowing guests to witness their teamwork as they fed.
A female cheetah with four cubs continued to thrive in the area. Though young, her cubs began to demonstrate hunting instincts, often interfering with their mother’s hunts. In one remarkable sighting, guests witnessed the mother successfully kill a female impala and later return with her cubs to feed.
Another young male cheetah, recently separated from his mother, was spotted vocalizing and searching for her in an emotional scene.
After the first rains, sausage and large fever berry trees sprouted new leaves. The blooming of sausage trees attracted antelope and baboons, creating picturesque moments. Surprisingly, the Mopane trees began leafing early, adding a fresh green hue to the environment.
There were plenty of sightings of resident bird species, such as ground hornbills, kori bustards, tawny eagles, and wattled cranes. Summer migrants like yellow-billed kites, broad-billed rollers, and Wahlberg’s eagles also began arriving, adding to the excitement.
Tee’s pride, boasting 16 lions, including three-month-old cubs, demonstrated its hunting prowess. They were seen near the Paradise area attempting to hunt zebra, though the open terrain worked against them. Another thrilling encounter involved the pride trying to corner a warthog in the river but failing due to the prey’s speed.
The Gomoti boys, a coalition of three males notorious for disrupting local prides, were spotted roaming the area. Their presence caused the lionesses to remain cautious, hiding their young ones to avoid confrontations.
One morning, Tee’s pride was seen feeding on a freshly killed kudu near the Gomoti River, suggesting a successful nocturnal hunt. A few days later, the pride was located feeding on a dead elephant, likely a natural death, only to later have three unfamiliar males claim the carcass. Among these, one collared male was particularly aggressive, adding tension to the sighting.
The dead elephant near Rra Dinare attracted six hyenas, providing an exciting opportunity for guests to observe their feeding behaviour. Vultures were a common sight at predator kills, completing the ecological picture.
(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!)
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