Latest Kwando Sightings report
Jul 22nd, 2006 | 05:48 AM
#1
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Latest Kwando Sightings report
Hello: Latest Kwando Report
Herewith the latest game sightings for Kwando as at the 19th July 2006
Lagoon camp
The Lagoon Pride pride (currently made up by 4 lionesses and a young male) has been spending a bit of time further north.
They returned south and killed a buffalo and few for a few days, and were subsequently seen closer to the camp for several days
A couple of nomadic male lions have been seen in the area, one of them was mating with a collared lioness. They were later seen hunting buffalo in the mopane woodland.
A pair of male cheetah were seen south of the camp at Water-cut where they appear to have taken up residence over the last few weeks – in excellent shape successfully preying on the smaller antelope that rely on the floodplains and the water supply in that area.
An adult female cheetah and her litter were found on the floodplains south of the camp and appeared to be making their way slowly northwards.
The Lagoon pack of 3 adults and 3 year-old youngsters have been seen frequently hunting and killing impala – the Alpha female was heavily pregnant. The pack seemed to vanish sometime during the last week, and the guides suspect they have denned in the area somewhere – probably deep into the mopane woodland as they did last year.
Good numbers of elephants in decent sized herds inundating the woodlands and floodplains with excellent sightings as usual to be had from the deck overhanging the lagoon.
Herds of buffalo are widespread both north and south of the camp moving to and from the river daily, lots of activity - mating, fighting, and a birth was seen as well.
Birding – good winter species still seen –secretary birds, several egrets species, Egyptian, spur-winged and pygmy geese, and various large raptors.
General game has been excellent – giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala, kudu, steenbuck, impala, reedbuck, baboons and vervets.
Night sightings include several porcupines, genets, honey badgers, serval, African wild cats, caracal, as well as both jackal species and hyenas.
Kwara camp
A pride of five – 4 lionesses and an adult male killed an adult male buffalo and was viewed by guests for several days from the boat on the Delta cruise.
A couple of nomadic male lions seen as well resting on a termite mound.
A pair of lionesses and their 3 cubs were seen feeding at an elephant carcass .
2 male lions killed a buffalo at the boat station – an excellent sighting had by all.
A young reedbuck was killed by a leopard, another relaxed leopard was found and viewed for some time
A shy adult female leopard was seen – she appeared to be lactating
A pair of adult male cheetah were found and followed – they killed an adult impala. They were subsequently seen for most of the past 3 weeks moving up and down hunting across the floodplains.
A pack of 3 adult wild dogs were found at their den with 8 puppies - they relocated their den a few days later.
A couple of small breeding herds of elephants were seen in the Kwara area – most elephant sightings however have been bachelor herds throughout the area as well as moving through the camps. A herd of seven bulls was seen swimming across the channel
A couple of bachelor herds of buffalo as well as a herd of about 150 seen close to the camp
Smaller game sightings include serval, civet, springhares, genets, various mongoose species (including Selous mongoose), both side-striped and black-backed jackals
General game – lots of zebra and tsessebe, a herd of 16 sable, small herds of wildebeest, as well as giraffe, impala, reedbuck, waterbuck and lechwe as well as the usual groups of hippo in front of the camp and along the delta waterways.
Birds seen – Ground hornbill, wattled cranes, brown snake eagle and various other raptors active due to the abundance of rodents.
Also unusual sightings of an African rock python swimming as well as a brown water snake seen from the boat on the cruise
Lebala camp
An adult male lion was found resting in the shade – he had been feeding on a buffalo carcass
The Lagoon pride came south and spend some time harassing – they were later found feeding on a buffalo
A pair of male lions were followed several times hunting buffalo.
A shy lion cub (5 mo old) was seen close to the airstrip
4 lionesses and a lion found hunting at half-way pan.
A very relaxed female leopard was found hunting in the late afternoon – she got a few mice for her troubles.
A relaxed and very large adult male leopard was found relaxing in the shade – he was seen over a period of several days (and at night).
A couple of other leopards were seen - some of which were quite shy.
2 adult male cheetahs were found resting in the morning sun – they were followed hunting in the afternoon.
Good numbers of elephants seen daily - mostly in large breeding herds up to 200 strong moving across the floodplains from the woodlands.
Herds of buffalo seen – the largest of about 1,500 seen on most game drives moving between the floodplains, the river and the woodlands.
The general game still good including wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, a herd of about 20 sable antelope, kudu, impala, warthogs, waterbuck, lechwe, reedbuck.
Smaller game including porcupines, honey-badgers, Selous, slender and yellow mongooses, genets, African wild cats, serval, civets – a highlight was an African wild cat and her litter of kittens
Hyenas and jackals seen hunting and patrolling most night drives – a clan of hyena pulled down an adult buffalo 5 min from the camp.
Excellent bird sightings – Kori bustard, southern ground hornbills, secretary birds, long-crested eagle, African hawk eagles and other various raptors – large numbers of queleas, and good viewing of water-fowl along the edges of the floodplains.
Little Kwara
2 male lions and a lioness were found feeding on an elephant carcass – the female appeared to be coming into estrus. They were later joined by another lioness with cubs 4-5 months old
A pair of lionesses and a young male killed a warthog close to the boat station, and were seen in the area for several days thereafter.
2 male lions were followed for a couple of days, on day 3 they killed a buffalo but were chased off by another 2 males who took over the carcass
A female leopard was found resting and then and followed hunting for a couple of hours.
3 cheetah – a pair of males and a female were found resting – they were well-fed
Three male cheetah were found resting on a mound, and were found later having just fed on an impala.
A bachelor herd of elephant was seen crossing the vlei area in front of the camp – a few other bachelor herds were seen in the area on game drive and from the boat.
2 big buffalo bulls were seen lying on the lagoon bank in front of the camp. A small herd of buffalo about 150 strong – mixed males and females were seen close to the airstrip for several days.
Night drives yielded lots of hyenas patrolling their territory, black-backed jackal foraging, side-striped jackals, several genets including a large spotted genet feeding on a mouse, a civet feeding on a mouse, serval, African wild cat and porcupines.
General game included sable antelope, giraffe, impala, warthogs, reedbuck, kudu, zebra, tsessebe and steenbuck as well as slender and dwarf mongooses, scrub hares, springhares and baboons.
Hari
Herewith the latest game sightings for Kwando as at the 19th July 2006
Lagoon camp
The Lagoon Pride pride (currently made up by 4 lionesses and a young male) has been spending a bit of time further north.
They returned south and killed a buffalo and few for a few days, and were subsequently seen closer to the camp for several days
A couple of nomadic male lions have been seen in the area, one of them was mating with a collared lioness. They were later seen hunting buffalo in the mopane woodland.
A pair of male cheetah were seen south of the camp at Water-cut where they appear to have taken up residence over the last few weeks – in excellent shape successfully preying on the smaller antelope that rely on the floodplains and the water supply in that area.
An adult female cheetah and her litter were found on the floodplains south of the camp and appeared to be making their way slowly northwards.
The Lagoon pack of 3 adults and 3 year-old youngsters have been seen frequently hunting and killing impala – the Alpha female was heavily pregnant. The pack seemed to vanish sometime during the last week, and the guides suspect they have denned in the area somewhere – probably deep into the mopane woodland as they did last year.
Good numbers of elephants in decent sized herds inundating the woodlands and floodplains with excellent sightings as usual to be had from the deck overhanging the lagoon.
Herds of buffalo are widespread both north and south of the camp moving to and from the river daily, lots of activity - mating, fighting, and a birth was seen as well.
Birding – good winter species still seen –secretary birds, several egrets species, Egyptian, spur-winged and pygmy geese, and various large raptors.
General game has been excellent – giraffe, zebra, tsessebe, impala, kudu, steenbuck, impala, reedbuck, baboons and vervets.
Night sightings include several porcupines, genets, honey badgers, serval, African wild cats, caracal, as well as both jackal species and hyenas.
Kwara camp
A pride of five – 4 lionesses and an adult male killed an adult male buffalo and was viewed by guests for several days from the boat on the Delta cruise.
A couple of nomadic male lions seen as well resting on a termite mound.
A pair of lionesses and their 3 cubs were seen feeding at an elephant carcass .
2 male lions killed a buffalo at the boat station – an excellent sighting had by all.
A young reedbuck was killed by a leopard, another relaxed leopard was found and viewed for some time
A shy adult female leopard was seen – she appeared to be lactating
A pair of adult male cheetah were found and followed – they killed an adult impala. They were subsequently seen for most of the past 3 weeks moving up and down hunting across the floodplains.
A pack of 3 adult wild dogs were found at their den with 8 puppies - they relocated their den a few days later.
A couple of small breeding herds of elephants were seen in the Kwara area – most elephant sightings however have been bachelor herds throughout the area as well as moving through the camps. A herd of seven bulls was seen swimming across the channel
A couple of bachelor herds of buffalo as well as a herd of about 150 seen close to the camp
Smaller game sightings include serval, civet, springhares, genets, various mongoose species (including Selous mongoose), both side-striped and black-backed jackals
General game – lots of zebra and tsessebe, a herd of 16 sable, small herds of wildebeest, as well as giraffe, impala, reedbuck, waterbuck and lechwe as well as the usual groups of hippo in front of the camp and along the delta waterways.
Birds seen – Ground hornbill, wattled cranes, brown snake eagle and various other raptors active due to the abundance of rodents.
Also unusual sightings of an African rock python swimming as well as a brown water snake seen from the boat on the cruise
Lebala camp
An adult male lion was found resting in the shade – he had been feeding on a buffalo carcass
The Lagoon pride came south and spend some time harassing – they were later found feeding on a buffalo
A pair of male lions were followed several times hunting buffalo.
A shy lion cub (5 mo old) was seen close to the airstrip
4 lionesses and a lion found hunting at half-way pan.
A very relaxed female leopard was found hunting in the late afternoon – she got a few mice for her troubles.
A relaxed and very large adult male leopard was found relaxing in the shade – he was seen over a period of several days (and at night).
A couple of other leopards were seen - some of which were quite shy.
2 adult male cheetahs were found resting in the morning sun – they were followed hunting in the afternoon.
Good numbers of elephants seen daily - mostly in large breeding herds up to 200 strong moving across the floodplains from the woodlands.
Herds of buffalo seen – the largest of about 1,500 seen on most game drives moving between the floodplains, the river and the woodlands.
The general game still good including wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, a herd of about 20 sable antelope, kudu, impala, warthogs, waterbuck, lechwe, reedbuck.
Smaller game including porcupines, honey-badgers, Selous, slender and yellow mongooses, genets, African wild cats, serval, civets – a highlight was an African wild cat and her litter of kittens
Hyenas and jackals seen hunting and patrolling most night drives – a clan of hyena pulled down an adult buffalo 5 min from the camp.
Excellent bird sightings – Kori bustard, southern ground hornbills, secretary birds, long-crested eagle, African hawk eagles and other various raptors – large numbers of queleas, and good viewing of water-fowl along the edges of the floodplains.
Little Kwara
2 male lions and a lioness were found feeding on an elephant carcass – the female appeared to be coming into estrus. They were later joined by another lioness with cubs 4-5 months old
A pair of lionesses and a young male killed a warthog close to the boat station, and were seen in the area for several days thereafter.
2 male lions were followed for a couple of days, on day 3 they killed a buffalo but were chased off by another 2 males who took over the carcass
A female leopard was found resting and then and followed hunting for a couple of hours.
3 cheetah – a pair of males and a female were found resting – they were well-fed
Three male cheetah were found resting on a mound, and were found later having just fed on an impala.
A bachelor herd of elephant was seen crossing the vlei area in front of the camp – a few other bachelor herds were seen in the area on game drive and from the boat.
2 big buffalo bulls were seen lying on the lagoon bank in front of the camp. A small herd of buffalo about 150 strong – mixed males and females were seen close to the airstrip for several days.
Night drives yielded lots of hyenas patrolling their territory, black-backed jackal foraging, side-striped jackals, several genets including a large spotted genet feeding on a mouse, a civet feeding on a mouse, serval, African wild cat and porcupines.
General game included sable antelope, giraffe, impala, warthogs, reedbuck, kudu, zebra, tsessebe and steenbuck as well as slender and dwarf mongooses, scrub hares, springhares and baboons.
Hari
Jul 22nd, 2006 | 10:18 AM
#3
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,553
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Hari,
You are good...I was about to post this but you beat me to the punch!
My palms are getting sweaty as my own Kwando visit approaches. In about 15 weeks I will be at Kwando and it will hopefully be great to go straight from Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and Mateya directly to Kwando, without a night in Joburg, made possible by doing the drive from Madikwe to Gaborone and then a couple air transfers to Little Kwara.
Altogether, it will be 19 consecutive nights of safari and this will be my longest yet. I am a firm believer in not breaking up a safari with city stays, if there is any possible way to do so.
Hari, with your own visit quickly approaching you must be really excited about now!
You are good...I was about to post this but you beat me to the punch!
My palms are getting sweaty as my own Kwando visit approaches. In about 15 weeks I will be at Kwando and it will hopefully be great to go straight from Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and Mateya directly to Kwando, without a night in Joburg, made possible by doing the drive from Madikwe to Gaborone and then a couple air transfers to Little Kwara.
Altogether, it will be 19 consecutive nights of safari and this will be my longest yet. I am a firm believer in not breaking up a safari with city stays, if there is any possible way to do so.
Hari, with your own visit quickly approaching you must be really excited about now!
Jul 22nd, 2006 | 06:39 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Good morning Bill, Rocco and Johan,
Yes, i'm very very excieted. 3 weeks to Go!!!
Yes, Bill....Kwara seems full of cheetah. The reports say one co-alition of 2 males and the other the 3 co-alition team. I think i saw the 2 male co-alition in December. They were extremely skittish. Hopefully, Doctor and the crew have them better acquainted to the vehicles by now.
Hari
Yes, i'm very very excieted. 3 weeks to Go!!!
Yes, Bill....Kwara seems full of cheetah. The reports say one co-alition of 2 males and the other the 3 co-alition team. I think i saw the 2 male co-alition in December. They were extremely skittish. Hopefully, Doctor and the crew have them better acquainted to the vehicles by now.
Hari
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Sep 5th, 2006 | 05:57 AM
#11
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Herewith the latest game sightings for Kwando as at the 4th September 2006
Lagoon camp
The Lagoon pride was found finishing off the remain of an impala, and later were seen feeding on a buffalo in the upper Kwando area – they crossed north into the Caprivi for a while and were found again on an island in the Kwando river last week.
2 lionesses (one with the APCRO collar) were found feeding on a buffalo, and were seen regularly subsequently. They were later seen pulling down a buffalo.
A new pride, the Masalela pride, was found just north of the camp – very exciting for the Lagoon guides
2 very shy adult male lions were found, and seen from a distance before they ran off, another male lion was seen pulling down a buffalo bull one morning, while an adult male lion and lioness pair were seen mating.
Several leopard sightings including an adult male leopard with a full belly was followed marking his territory for some time, a female was found and followed hunting for a while – she did not make a kill, a relaxed male was also followed through the mopane for some time.
A pair of male cheetah were found resting in the shade on top of a termite mound – they were seen regularly over the last period favoring the open floodplains of the Water-Cut areas
The Lagoon pack of dogs was seen regularly – initially without the Alpha female – and later with her showing signs of lactating - they killed an impala, and ate for a short while before being robbed by hyenas. The guides saw them kill again several times, and then finally about 10 days ago they saw 3 puppies moving with the adults close to the camp – they killed another impala right next to the camp. They were seen hunting around the Broken Baobab area (killed another impala), and were last seen a couple of days ago chasing tsessebe.
Big numbers of elephants in the Lagoon area, both breeding herds and bachelor herds providing excellent sightings all day long.
Excellent buffalo sightings both north and south of the camp – the largest herd est.2000 strong – most herds between 500 and 1000 – fighting and mating witnessed as well
General game good – zebra, giraffe, impala, tsessebe, kudu, reedbuck as well as sable and roan antelope
Night sightings include hyenas, porcupines, 2 sightings of pangolin, African wild cats – one with 4 kittens, side-striped and black backed jackals (including a pair of black-backed jackals chasing and fighting with a side-striped jackal), servals, genets and one incredible sighting of 5 honey-badgers together! Also a caracal seen regularly close to the camp and chameleons seen most nights as well
Kwara camp
A pride of 3 lionesses were found accompanied by an adult male as well as a sub-adult male – they were well fed
A mating pair of lions were seen romancing for 4 days, while 2 old male lions were seen feeding on an elephant carcass
3 lionesses were found with 3 four-month old cubs
A pride of 3 males and 7 lionesses pulled down a buffalo
Another pride made up of an adult male, a sub-adult male, 4 lionesses and 2 cubs were twice seen killing buffalo
An adult female leopard (lactating) and her 6 week old cub were seen regularly, she was seen hunting reedbuck without initial success but was later found feeding on reedbuck. More recently she was found feeding on an impala with her cub
Another adult female leopard with 2 eight-week old cubs – they were found feeding on a young reedbuck
A female cheetah with 3 cubs was found feeding on impala on three different occasions.
A coalition of 3 male cheetah was found resting in the shade on a termite mound.
A pack of 3 adult wild dogs was followed hunting – there was no sign of the 8 puppies seen earlier in the season
Elephant sightings mostly consist of individual bulls and bachelor herds often seen in the vicinity of the camp – a few bulls were seen swimming across the new extensive lagoon in front of the camp. Also several sightings of bulls swimming across the channels seen while guests were out on the delta channels.
A couple breeding herds that came south out of the mopane woodland was seen as well.
Several herds of buffalo were seen – often with lions nearly – the largest herd was c.500 strong – most of them numbering about 200.
General game including warthogs, zebra, tsessebe, impala, kudu, sable, wildebeest, red lechwe, giraffe, baboons, vervet monkeys, and various mongoose species.
Night sightings include African wild cats, servals (one with its kitten), Selous mongoose, civets, genets, an aardvark, honey badgers, lots of springhares and one Aardwolf!
Other interesting sightings include various frog and snake species including mole snake and a mamba, yellow-billed storks, marabou’s and sacred ibis @ the heronry, a long-crested eagle, martial eagle, wattled cranes, ground hornbills, slaty and black egrets, pelicans and 3 different Ibis species
Lebala camp
A pair of male lions and 2 lionesses were found feeding on a wildebeest. Another pride was found feeding on an impala.
The four lionesses with Lebala at the core of their territory were seen killing a buffalo calf on Lechwe Island
A pair of lionesses (one with a collar) found on Tsessebe Island managed to isolate and kill a buffalo calf – they later lost their kill to hyenas.
A single lioness was followed hunting on her own – she also managed to kill a buffalo calf and ended up sharing her kill feeding at the same time as a couple of hyenas. She was followed for several days hunting, tailed by a male lion. She chased after some warthogs but was unsuccessful.
A nomadic pair of adult male lions were seen ranging all over the concession – they were found sharing a wildebeest kill with a lioness.
A young male lion was followed hunting buffalo for 3 days with no success.
An adult male and and adult female leopard were sighted in camp while the guests were having dinner – guests hopped on the vehicle and followed them for a while.
A large male leopard was seen swimming across a channel onto an island.
A shy leopard was sighted trying to hunt impala from the top of a termite mound, a couple of other leopards were seen and followed hunting and patrolling their territories.
An adult female cheetah was followed for a few days before guests saw her stalk and kill an impala
A pair of male cheetah have been seen regularly north of the camp over the last couple of weeks.
An adult female cheetah was found on a termite mound in the early morning – as it warmed up she started hunting and killed an adult male impala but was robbed by hyenas.
A pair of wild dogs were followed hunting for a whole day without success
Large breeding herds of elephants have been seen throughout the Lebala concession both day and night – seen daily crossing the floodplains to the river – very young calves in attendance as well as small bachelor herds following females in oestrus.
Large herds of buffalo spread all over the concession – largest estimated @ 1500 strong – moving between the river and the floodplains daily.
General game has been good with good numbers of Red lechwe, impala, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and tsessebe. Also seen were reedbuck, kudu, steenbuck as well as roan antelope
Night sightings include good serval viewing, hyenas which relieved a pair of lionesses of their kill, both jackal species, caracal, aardvark, civets, African wild cat and honey badgers
Various snakes were seen including a large python at a water-hole, also mambas, cobras, a grass snake.
Bird sightings have also been good – huge flocks of queleas seen moving to and from water morning and late afternoon – the carmine bee-eater colony is active.
Little Kwara
Two lionesses and a sub-adult lion were found resting – they were joined by a pair of adult male lions that chased the youngster off, one of the males then mated with one of the lioness! Another pair of male lions was found harassing a buffalo herd – they were later seen pulling down a buffalo cow
A pride of 8 lions were found stalking a herd of buffalo, a young male lion and two lionesses killed a buffalo calf while another pride was found hunting impala in the camp.
Three black-maned lions were found feeding on a buffalo together with six lionesses
Guests watched a pride of 6 hunts and kill a buffalo. A lioness was found feeding on a tsessebe, and a male lions were found feeding on a lechwe they had presumably robbed from a lioness who was still trying to snatch a few bites.
A couple of different leopard sightings including a female with her 2 one-month old cubs – she was later found with just one cub and the guides found plenty of hyena tracks in the area – she later killed an impala and had dragged it into some thick brush to feed – this pair are seen regularly now
A coalition of three male cheetah were found hunting but were not seen making a kill – they were found later resting in the shade with full bellies
Guides found a female cheetah with 3 very young cubs – they later saw her feeding on an impala
Guests had a short sighting of a pack of 3 wild dogs hunting in the Splash Hippo pools area
Most elephant sightings are single and bachelor herds – bull often seen in and around the camp as well as seen crossing the channels by guests out on the boats – one breeding herd was seen feeding on the floodplains.
Several herds of buffalo were seen – averaging at around 300ea – guests witnesses both fighting and mating activity in the herds.
Other interesting sightings include puff-adders, (one removed from the camp area), a couple of python sightings as well as many excellent bird sightings including plenty of storks and egrets – the heronry is active and providing excellent photographic opportunities, and a flock of “thousands” of white-faced ducks inhabiting the lagoon in front of the camp
The general game good especially on the recently burnt floodplains, and include giraffe, impala, tsessebe, kudu, lechwe, some zebra, warthogs as well a troops of baboons with numerous youngsters.
Night sightings include both jackal species, hyenas, African wild cats, servals, small-spotted genets, porcupines, aardvarks, lots of springhares, honey-badger, bat-eared foxes, civets
Lagoon camp
The Lagoon pride was found finishing off the remain of an impala, and later were seen feeding on a buffalo in the upper Kwando area – they crossed north into the Caprivi for a while and were found again on an island in the Kwando river last week.
2 lionesses (one with the APCRO collar) were found feeding on a buffalo, and were seen regularly subsequently. They were later seen pulling down a buffalo.
A new pride, the Masalela pride, was found just north of the camp – very exciting for the Lagoon guides
2 very shy adult male lions were found, and seen from a distance before they ran off, another male lion was seen pulling down a buffalo bull one morning, while an adult male lion and lioness pair were seen mating.
Several leopard sightings including an adult male leopard with a full belly was followed marking his territory for some time, a female was found and followed hunting for a while – she did not make a kill, a relaxed male was also followed through the mopane for some time.
A pair of male cheetah were found resting in the shade on top of a termite mound – they were seen regularly over the last period favoring the open floodplains of the Water-Cut areas
The Lagoon pack of dogs was seen regularly – initially without the Alpha female – and later with her showing signs of lactating - they killed an impala, and ate for a short while before being robbed by hyenas. The guides saw them kill again several times, and then finally about 10 days ago they saw 3 puppies moving with the adults close to the camp – they killed another impala right next to the camp. They were seen hunting around the Broken Baobab area (killed another impala), and were last seen a couple of days ago chasing tsessebe.
Big numbers of elephants in the Lagoon area, both breeding herds and bachelor herds providing excellent sightings all day long.
Excellent buffalo sightings both north and south of the camp – the largest herd est.2000 strong – most herds between 500 and 1000 – fighting and mating witnessed as well
General game good – zebra, giraffe, impala, tsessebe, kudu, reedbuck as well as sable and roan antelope
Night sightings include hyenas, porcupines, 2 sightings of pangolin, African wild cats – one with 4 kittens, side-striped and black backed jackals (including a pair of black-backed jackals chasing and fighting with a side-striped jackal), servals, genets and one incredible sighting of 5 honey-badgers together! Also a caracal seen regularly close to the camp and chameleons seen most nights as well
Kwara camp
A pride of 3 lionesses were found accompanied by an adult male as well as a sub-adult male – they were well fed
A mating pair of lions were seen romancing for 4 days, while 2 old male lions were seen feeding on an elephant carcass
3 lionesses were found with 3 four-month old cubs
A pride of 3 males and 7 lionesses pulled down a buffalo
Another pride made up of an adult male, a sub-adult male, 4 lionesses and 2 cubs were twice seen killing buffalo
An adult female leopard (lactating) and her 6 week old cub were seen regularly, she was seen hunting reedbuck without initial success but was later found feeding on reedbuck. More recently she was found feeding on an impala with her cub
Another adult female leopard with 2 eight-week old cubs – they were found feeding on a young reedbuck
A female cheetah with 3 cubs was found feeding on impala on three different occasions.
A coalition of 3 male cheetah was found resting in the shade on a termite mound.
A pack of 3 adult wild dogs was followed hunting – there was no sign of the 8 puppies seen earlier in the season
Elephant sightings mostly consist of individual bulls and bachelor herds often seen in the vicinity of the camp – a few bulls were seen swimming across the new extensive lagoon in front of the camp. Also several sightings of bulls swimming across the channels seen while guests were out on the delta channels.
A couple breeding herds that came south out of the mopane woodland was seen as well.
Several herds of buffalo were seen – often with lions nearly – the largest herd was c.500 strong – most of them numbering about 200.
General game including warthogs, zebra, tsessebe, impala, kudu, sable, wildebeest, red lechwe, giraffe, baboons, vervet monkeys, and various mongoose species.
Night sightings include African wild cats, servals (one with its kitten), Selous mongoose, civets, genets, an aardvark, honey badgers, lots of springhares and one Aardwolf!
Other interesting sightings include various frog and snake species including mole snake and a mamba, yellow-billed storks, marabou’s and sacred ibis @ the heronry, a long-crested eagle, martial eagle, wattled cranes, ground hornbills, slaty and black egrets, pelicans and 3 different Ibis species
Lebala camp
A pair of male lions and 2 lionesses were found feeding on a wildebeest. Another pride was found feeding on an impala.
The four lionesses with Lebala at the core of their territory were seen killing a buffalo calf on Lechwe Island
A pair of lionesses (one with a collar) found on Tsessebe Island managed to isolate and kill a buffalo calf – they later lost their kill to hyenas.
A single lioness was followed hunting on her own – she also managed to kill a buffalo calf and ended up sharing her kill feeding at the same time as a couple of hyenas. She was followed for several days hunting, tailed by a male lion. She chased after some warthogs but was unsuccessful.
A nomadic pair of adult male lions were seen ranging all over the concession – they were found sharing a wildebeest kill with a lioness.
A young male lion was followed hunting buffalo for 3 days with no success.
An adult male and and adult female leopard were sighted in camp while the guests were having dinner – guests hopped on the vehicle and followed them for a while.
A large male leopard was seen swimming across a channel onto an island.
A shy leopard was sighted trying to hunt impala from the top of a termite mound, a couple of other leopards were seen and followed hunting and patrolling their territories.
An adult female cheetah was followed for a few days before guests saw her stalk and kill an impala
A pair of male cheetah have been seen regularly north of the camp over the last couple of weeks.
An adult female cheetah was found on a termite mound in the early morning – as it warmed up she started hunting and killed an adult male impala but was robbed by hyenas.
A pair of wild dogs were followed hunting for a whole day without success
Large breeding herds of elephants have been seen throughout the Lebala concession both day and night – seen daily crossing the floodplains to the river – very young calves in attendance as well as small bachelor herds following females in oestrus.
Large herds of buffalo spread all over the concession – largest estimated @ 1500 strong – moving between the river and the floodplains daily.
General game has been good with good numbers of Red lechwe, impala, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and tsessebe. Also seen were reedbuck, kudu, steenbuck as well as roan antelope
Night sightings include good serval viewing, hyenas which relieved a pair of lionesses of their kill, both jackal species, caracal, aardvark, civets, African wild cat and honey badgers
Various snakes were seen including a large python at a water-hole, also mambas, cobras, a grass snake.
Bird sightings have also been good – huge flocks of queleas seen moving to and from water morning and late afternoon – the carmine bee-eater colony is active.
Little Kwara
Two lionesses and a sub-adult lion were found resting – they were joined by a pair of adult male lions that chased the youngster off, one of the males then mated with one of the lioness! Another pair of male lions was found harassing a buffalo herd – they were later seen pulling down a buffalo cow
A pride of 8 lions were found stalking a herd of buffalo, a young male lion and two lionesses killed a buffalo calf while another pride was found hunting impala in the camp.
Three black-maned lions were found feeding on a buffalo together with six lionesses
Guests watched a pride of 6 hunts and kill a buffalo. A lioness was found feeding on a tsessebe, and a male lions were found feeding on a lechwe they had presumably robbed from a lioness who was still trying to snatch a few bites.
A couple of different leopard sightings including a female with her 2 one-month old cubs – she was later found with just one cub and the guides found plenty of hyena tracks in the area – she later killed an impala and had dragged it into some thick brush to feed – this pair are seen regularly now
A coalition of three male cheetah were found hunting but were not seen making a kill – they were found later resting in the shade with full bellies
Guides found a female cheetah with 3 very young cubs – they later saw her feeding on an impala
Guests had a short sighting of a pack of 3 wild dogs hunting in the Splash Hippo pools area
Most elephant sightings are single and bachelor herds – bull often seen in and around the camp as well as seen crossing the channels by guests out on the boats – one breeding herd was seen feeding on the floodplains.
Several herds of buffalo were seen – averaging at around 300ea – guests witnesses both fighting and mating activity in the herds.
Other interesting sightings include puff-adders, (one removed from the camp area), a couple of python sightings as well as many excellent bird sightings including plenty of storks and egrets – the heronry is active and providing excellent photographic opportunities, and a flock of “thousands” of white-faced ducks inhabiting the lagoon in front of the camp
The general game good especially on the recently burnt floodplains, and include giraffe, impala, tsessebe, kudu, lechwe, some zebra, warthogs as well a troops of baboons with numerous youngsters.
Night sightings include both jackal species, hyenas, African wild cats, servals, small-spotted genets, porcupines, aardvarks, lots of springhares, honey-badger, bat-eared foxes, civets
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lbj2
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