Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Stories April 2026
Weather Report
Ngoma Safari Lodge is headed starting for the dry season. We’ve had a mixture of hot and dry days with maximum temperatures ranging between 38ºC and 40ºC, and cloudy and rainy days with an average of 22ºC. Trees, bushes, and grasses are still green thanks to the abundance of water. Still, soon the lush green vegetation will turn a yellowish-amber hue, and water will become scarce, making for clearer safari viewing and larger concentrations of animals around the remaining water sources.
Elephant River Crossing
We had an incredible time one afternoon early in April when we managed to spot a herd of elephants crossing the Chobe River in Chobe National Park. This was a rare sight at this time of year, as food and water were abundant. Seeing the massive animals cross would have been amazing enough, however, one of the bulls took the lead and pushed back some of the wading hippos to make sure his herd crossed safely.
Cheetah Population Increasing
Since this time last year, Chobe has treated us to some spectacular cheetah sightings. This is in stark contrast to three years ago, when cheetah sightings were few and far between. These days, cheetah sightings are still quite rare, but thanks to increasing cheetah populations, we are enjoying a few more sightings per year.
This time, we caught up with a female cheetah and her three cubs. They looked to be around ten months old and didn’t even flinch when our safari vehicle gently approached them.
Chobe’s New Kings
History has been made in Chobe National Park!
After residents reported two lions causing trouble in the Kachikau area, the two brothers were relocated to Chobe, and in their short time here, they have already taken over the famous Western pride. On one of our most recent game drives, we witnessed the two brothers, Nkwata and Baleofi, mating with female lions in what is now their territory.
Hyena Pond Party
Despite their mischievous nature, hyenas are very shy creatures and run away as soon as a safari vehicle gets too close. On this morning safari, that was not the case. We managed to see around six hyenas enjoying the water and playing around in a pond. They were enjoying themselves so much that they paid us no mind.
Although uncommon, hyenas will sometimes taint a water source with their scent to assert dominance in the area.
April at Ngoma Safari Lodge was spectacular for wildlife sightings. Join us next month for another Wildlife Stories with Machaba Safaris.
Until next time,
MK
Ngoma Safari Lodge
