Wildlife Update at Kwara
^{posted in Botswana Safaris on Monday, February 8, 2010}

The seven male Lions of Kwara Camp have split into two smaller groups for now – perhaps as a reaction to the scattered game since the rains came. One group of four moved north to the Tsum Tsum channel while the remaining three remained closer to the Shinde main road. One eye and her two female descendants have been on the hunt quite regularly and were observed one night taking down a Kudu in the thick woodlands which is their preferred habitat.

A family of six Cheetahs including last years star mother of five cubs was seen hunting Impala across Tsum Tsum mabala. The hunt provided excellent photographic opportunities for the lucky guests and it is great to see the family being so successful after all the trials of growing up last year.

At Tsum Tsum there were also a pack of Wild Dogs that were extraordinarily mobile. The same dogs had been seen at the Santawani area of the Okavang Delta only a few weeks before and must have travelled at least 150km but probably a lot more to get here. Additionally, they would have had to cross the Maunichura or Khwai River which is a deep water crossing covered in a Papyrus reed bed. This is a fine example of the tenacity and endurance of these extraordinary animals.

Kwara Camp itself is still enjoying excellent views across the lagoon of over 60 hippos that are becoming increasingly intense as competition for space hots up. The fresh flood water is still months away so the Hippos will have no choice but to fight or move on. All this should make excellent game viewing at the camp.