An aardwolf foraging for termites near Ngorongoro eventually led us to its den, where we observed two adorable cubs.
As for bigger members of the hyena family, a clan of 25 spotted hyenas was observed feeding on an elephant carcass, while another group of 15 was spotted around a buffalo kill. The hyena den near Mothusi’s Crossing was active, though cubs have not yet been spotted outside.
The African wild dogs were exceptionally active, with hyenas often trailing them in hopes of scavenging. The resident pack of 17 adults and 11 puppies covered vast stretches of the concession. They were frequently seen hunting impalas, particularly targeting heavily pregnant individuals. One memorable sighting occurred at Kwara Camp, where the pack took down an impala just outside the kitchen area! Two territorial male lions later arrived to steal the kill, forcing the dogs to retreat.In another dramatic encounter, the pack hunted a red lechwe and successfully brought it down. The following morning, they were seen resting in the shade, their energy spent after a successful night of hunting.
Cheetah cubs and a leopard ambush
The first rains of the season arrived mid-month, transforming the landscape into a stunning patchwork of green. Mopane and sausage trees began sprouting fresh leaves, attracting giraffes, elephants, and kudus to feed on the tender foliage.
One exciting sighting involved a leopard perched on a sausage tree, waiting for impalas to graze beneath. The ambush proved successful when she leapt down, securing her prey right before our eyes. The cub, although shy, continued to be sighted playing in trees, providing plenty of entertainment during our drives.
The resident male leopard, Rra Tsebe, is known for his preference for reedbuck prey, and he was frequently spotted between Kwara and Splash camps. We also observed a mother leopard and her cub frequenting the eastern parts of the concession. The mother diligently fed her cub, as evidenced by kills spotted at Mabala, Dikgokong,and Giraffe Pan.
The mother cheetah and her four cubs continued to thrive in the Kwara Private Concession. The cubs, now more adventurous, occasionally disrupted their mother’s hunts and began to display budding hunting instincts.
A solitary male cheetah was spotted in the Bat-Eared Fox area, showcasing his hunting prowess with consistent success. Another coalition of two male cheetahs was also seen marking their domain near Ngorongoro, giving guests an incredible glimpse of their territorial behaviour. A memorable moment occurred when these brothers took down a young zebra after a strategic hunt.
The drying floodplains provided open spaces for grazing, drawing herds of zebras and wildebeest, while the flourishing vegetation created a vibrant habitat for both predators and prey.
Over at the Xobega heronry, waterbirds were actively nesting. We logged pink-backed pelicans and the migratory bird species, such as yellow-billed storks abd southern carmine bee-eaters, added richness to the skies and waters. Raptors, including martial eagles, bateleurs, and long-crested eagles, were also spotted frequently.
The drying floodplains created a prime grazing area, attracting diverse species. Buffalo herds were abundant, alongside zebras, wildebeest, giraffes and large herds of elephants with their young calves. We also recorded rare sightings of roan and sable antelopes, plus eland. Reedbuck, tsessebe, and warthogs were frequently encountered in the open plains. Aardwolves, African civets, honey badgers, and servals were spotted during night drives. Side-striped jackals with four shy pups were also located near Splash Camp, while porcupines were frequently seen south of Baboon Island.
Last but not least, the lions of Kwara
The Kwara Pride, comprising lionesses with cubs of varying ages — five, seven, and four months — was a highlight. This pride primarily roamed the western side near Bat-Eared Fox and has not ventured to Kwara Island or the camp as frequently as in the past. Four dominant males continued to follow the pride, ensuring its safety. Recently, three subadult lions (two females and one male) entered the area, demonstrating impressive hunting skills as they took down a buffalo bull in a thrilling display for guests.
Another dramatic moment unfolded as two lions from the Mopane pride attacked a solitary male near Jackal Pan. The intense fight lasted 45 minutes before hyenas joined the chaos, attempting to scavenge. This created a whirlwind of action, with the lion escaping amidst the commotion.
In addition to the Kwara Pride, two new male lions were spotted in the concession, one notably recognized by his one eye. Their presence appears to have forced the renowned solitary male lion, Johnnie Walker, to vanish from the area. Meanwhile, Mma Leitho pride remains active, working hard to protect their cubs from the intruding male lions.
We observed a spectacular sighting at Splash Camp, where a lioness hunted a zebra to feed the cubs. The cubs honed their hunting instincts by playfully chasing the tails of the protective males.
(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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