Once again, we've received the latest sightings from Kwando safaris. We'll lead off with Nxai Pan Camp, Kwando Linyanti, and Kwando Lebala Camp. My next post will provide the updates for Kwando Kwara, Kwando Lagoon, and Tau Pan Camp.

Nxai Pan Camp

The water hole at Nxai Pan continues to offer incredible game viewing from the luxury of camp. Bathing elephants, large numbers of wildebeest, gemsbok and springbok all congregate to drink in easy viewing distance of the private viewing decks. A solitary male leopard, first seen walking through the camp site, when the camp was being constructed in late 2008 is still a often seen resident of the area and extremely relaxed around people and game drive vehicles. Another leopard sighting occurred, rather unusually, as the light aircraft dropping guests off was landing! The leopard broke cover as the plane flew overhead and spent enough time on the airstrip to allow some great photos for the newly arrived guests.

On the Pan, guests have been fortunate enough to regularly spot a female cheetah with her immature and quite shy cub, as well as a lioness with four young cubs which are about 5 months old.

Kwando Linyanti Concession

The relative dryness of the Kwando Linyanti region following extremely high flooding in the neighbouring areas has led to consistently good game viewing throughout the season. This promises to improve as the season progresses and the extremely mild winter hints at a long hot and dry summer. These conditions will all contribute to spectacular wildlife viewing throughout the northern regions of the country.

Kwando Lebala

The large herds of buffalo and elephant have begun to return to the Kwando Lebala area and to congregate in large numbers. Buffalo herds estimated at over 1000 individuals are common and lions are often seen nearby as they tail the herds, always alert to an easy kill. A pride of seven were also sighted several times having killed zebra, a smaller group of females with three cubs and two large males patrolling the area and hunting buffalo. Elsewhere leopard were found in slightly unusual circumstances – a large tom was spotted swimming across a deep channel and a young female found in a tree with her prey, a serval! Two male cheetah have been spotted regularly in the plains around the airstrip where they have been hunting impala. The wild dog pack of five adults, have moved out of the den with their eight pups and the adults have been seen several times while out hunting.

Plains game, as always is very good and included large numbers of eland, lechwe, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra. Other notable sightings include hyena, serval, caracal, honey badger, civet, porcupine and python