Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Stories June 2025
June was an incredible month for early morning and night safaris. The sub-ten-degree temperatures in these hours are perfect for predators who love hunting in cooler weather and relaxing under trees in the midday and afternoon heat.
The floodplains dry out around this time of year. Luckily, the small channel in front of Ngoma Safari Lodge was still flowing and attracting wildlife from all over Chobe National Park.
Elephant Brawl
We were elated to spot a breeding herd of elephants gathered at a pan, drinking deeply in the midday heat. Then, two young bulls suddenly broke into a scuffle, pushing and jostling each other.
Male elephants typically fight over mating rights and access to resources especially when food becomes scarce. Nevertheless, this rare sighting almost had us out of our seats.
Rare Chobe Cheetah
Cheetahs are extremely rare to see in Chobe National Park, but now and then, we are in the right place at the right time. On this occasion, we were on a game drive when the slender-spotted cat crossed the main road heading westwards. In a jaw-dropping moment, the cheetah had returned to the bush and was out of sight once again.
Lions’ Pride
We were on a full-day safari when we came across a pride of nine lions.
As we followed them, the lions picked up on the scent of buffalo. The females singled out and stalked the nearest and most vulnerable in the herd before setting up an ambush. Once the prey was within striking distance, they pounced and brought down the massive beast right in front of us.
It’s always an incredible sight to watch a lion take down an animal twice its size.
Great Giraffe Numbers
On a normal day, we would spot up to 15 giraffes on any given sighting. This time, we saw 35 of these amazing long-necked animals all gathered around a watering hole. They were taking turns drinking while the others fed on nearby foliage, always on the lookout for threats.
Giraffes are some of the most unique animals in the world. Besides their exceptionally long necks, they also have quite large feet. A fully grown adult's hooves can measure around 30cm in diameter.
Until next time,
MK
Ngoma Safari Lodge
