A female Cheetah with four cubs has been sighted near Kwara Camp in the Okavango Delta. There were originally five in the litter but Kwara guides believe that one was killed by Lions or Hyenas in June. However, the other four are growing big and strong and will soon be ready to learn how to hunt with their mother.
The seven male ‘Lions of Kwara’ were seen feeding on a Hippo only 500 metres from Little Kwara Camp. Hippos are usually too large and fierce an animal for Lions to actively pursue but in this case the male coalition is afraid of nothing. Elsewhere, two new male Lion have been seen in the area and a pride of nine females with cubs are on the borders of the Mopane to the north.
Many of the guests at Kwara Camp have been fortunate enough to see Wild Dogs and Leopards as well on the same safari. A male Leopard was seen stalking a young Lechwe through the short grass but was unable to catch its prey.
General game is also abundant with Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras and Wildebeest all seen on a regular basis. The elusive Pangolin was also spotted close to Kwara Lagoon to everyone’s surprise.
Nine Wild Dog puppies have been introduced to the world at Lagoon den site. The first brave pups began to appear earlier in the month and we expect them to remain at the den site for well into September until they are strong enough to travel with the pack.
Adults have been returning from hunting only to regurgitate previously swallowed meat for the youngsters to eat. Guests and guides were in a state of panic when Lion tracks were found in the vicinity of the den site. Luckily the cats decided to head away east towards the river and more palatable foods such as the large herds of hundreds of Buffalo in the area.
Elsewhere in the area Lions and Cheetah have been sighted regularly. Three Cheetah brothers have been ruling the roost in the upper Kwando area north of the camp and look in excellent condition.
As if a Wild Dog den was not a big enough treat, visitors to Lagoon are witnessing the extraordinary spectacle of a Hyena den as well!! Three sets of ten cubs are living at a disused termite mound close to Zebra pan guarded by several adult Hyenas and led by the enormous matriarch.
Some lucky guests on a morning stroll were treated to the extraordinary site of a pride of Lions pulling down a Giraffe not far from Nxai Camp. Guests were guided within safe distance of the kill and managed to get some good shots of the giant cats feasting on their prey.
The two male Cheetahs have been a frequent site recently – often seen stalking the Impala in the woodland or the Springbok on the pans. Nxai Pan is one of only three places in the world where you get the chance to see the similar Springbok and Impala in the same place at the same time.
The beautiful winter evenings have brought wonderful starry nights and fresh mornings with plenty of desert game to be seen. Jackals, Giraffes, Gemsbok, Hartebeest and bull Elephants are a regular site around the camp.
An exceptional Caracal sighting was seen by some Kwando Safaris staff on their way to the camp last week. Usually one of the shyest cats this was a truly unique viewing at close range. The diagnostic large, pointy black ears were clearly visible alongside piercing green emerald eyes.
Chitabe Camp in the Okavango Delta has had a facelift of note to its tented rooms, main area and library. Each of the eight tents have different artwork and themes which are expressed in the woods, colour and decor used. The bathrooms can be completely separated from the bedrooms with two sliding doors which are hidden behind the headboard and pull out fully to close the entrances on both sides. There is also a "night light" underneath the vanities which allows guests to have an ambient light in the bathroom should they need to get out of bed during the night. All eight units have outdoor showers.
After a lot of waiting and guessing when the Wild dogs puppies at Lagoon Camp would give their first appearance – it has finally happened. On Sunday 19th July, 9 new puppies arrived. Their den is about 20 minutes away from Lagoon camp and the proud mother only showed them for the first time 1 week ago, and since then only in the evenings when the rest of the pack are around to “keep guard” of her babies. They have been seen eating regurgitated food that the rest of the pack bring back at siesta time after their twice a day hunt. Hyena pups are also in the area and as soon as we have some more information we will be sure to let you know.
For information on the lodge and pictures please visit Lagoon Camp.