This is the second in a two part post about the Kwando Safaris September sightings. Please visit the previous blog post for the first part of the Kwando Safaris sightings. The previous post covered Kwando Lagoon and Kwando Kwara Camps. This follow-up post will cover the sightings for Nxai Pan Camp, Tau Pan Camp, and Kwando Lebala Camp. Enjoy!
Nxai Pan Camp
Rain at Nxai Pan Camp Enjoyed by All
Animals Such as this Warthog Benefit From the Unusual Rains
Photo © Bill Given
The unexpected rain brought a sprinkling of green to the parched pans towards the end of this month and guests witnessed the joy at which the desert game greets such good fortune. Elephants, Hyenas and Lions were all seen playing and wallowing in the bulging Nxai Pan water hole.
Pangolin Sighting!
We also had our first sighting of the rare Pangolin since opening Nxai Camp earlier this year – it was thought by guides to have been persuaded to come out of hiding by the early rains which will activate the ants and termites the Pangolin feeds on.
Lion Pride at Nxai Pan Camp
There is a pride of Lions living on the main Nxai Pan that most people have had the fortune to see. Four cubs are with the family which spans three generations.
Nxai Pan's Cheetah Brothers
The two Cheetah brothers are also a common sighting in the area and never give up in harassing the Impala and Springbok populations. One such hunt ended in them taking a Springbok each. The first was swiftly eaten before a clan of Spotted Hyenas, using their usual uncanny ability to sniff out a free meal, chased the brothers away and devoured the second.
Tau Pan Camp
Unusual Rains Benefit All at Tau Pan Camp
Late September has brought us some surprising days of rainfall in the Kalahari. We would usually not expect the rains to start until November but some showers have provided welcome relief to the thirsty animals around Tau.
Tau Pan Camp's Leopard
Our resident Leopard has been seen and heard around the camp on several occasions along with a mating pair of Lions that frequent the Tau water hole. Additionally, we have been having consistent sightings of Brown Hyena in the early mornings lapping up the fresh water in front of camp.
Cheetah on the Hunt at Tau Pan Camp
A Cheetah With a Good Vantage Point Yawns
Photo © Bill Given
On the Pan itself Cheetahs are still seen from time to time sitting atop of mounds looking for plains game such as Springbok and young Gemsbok or Red Hartebeest that can be seen in the Kalahari.
Lebala Camp
Lebala Camp Predator Sightings
Lebala has once again been witness to some world-class game viewing this September. All the big cats have been seen on numerous occasions including a now resident male Leopard which is often spotted at night with the spotlight. The Wild Dog puppies have began to hunt and enormous herds of thousands of Buffalo and Elephant are commonly seen passing to and from the floodplains to feed.
Migratory Birds visit Lebala Camp
As if that wasn’t enough the migrant birds have returned from central and northern Africa to brighten up the place with there breeding plumages. The place is buzzing with life and expectation of the incoming rains.
Get The Roar! - TheWildSource.com's monthly newsletter.
The Wild Source's Africa Video Channel - safari videos taken by The Wild Source founder Bill Given