Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Stories December 2025

Weather Report

Summer at Ngoma Safar Lodge has lived up to its name, with daytime temperatures ranging between 38°C and 40°C. Luckily for us, the rainy season brought intermittent showers and thunderstorms that cooled down the Chobe National Park to a pleasant 22 degrees. As a result, the vegetation in the area is vibrant, and the animals are thriving on the lush vegetation.

Machaba Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Warthog Family

Buffalo Kill

A group of guests wanted to experience one of the most adrenaline-pumping sights the African savannah can offer: lions feasting on a kill. Not ones to disappoint, we went out in search of exactly that. Fortunately, we came across a pride of 10 lions feasting on a fresh buffalo kill.

By the looks of it, the carcass had been there for less than thirty minutes, and already lions were devouring it, one massive chunk at a time. Some time later, two females took turns dragging it into the shade, while some opportunistic vultures looked on from their perches.

Machaba Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Lioness Crossing Road

Creatures of Habitat

Thanks to the rainy season’s life-giving water, much of Chobe’s vegetation is growing rapidly, and watering holes that were previously empty are now full. With so many options for food and drink now available, local wildlife prefers to stay in habitats that disguise them.

For example, zebras are now most commonly found in dense woodland areas with lots of fresh grass. However, just because they are harder to spot does not mean they are impossible to catch. During an evening game drive, we spotted three lions feeding on a zebra in one of the woodland areas.

Machaba Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Zebra In Grassland

Giraffe Fight

Different species of animals fight each other for dominance and territory every day. They often injure and even kill each other for prime hunting, grazing, and drinking locations, while also competing for the right to mate.

We saw this behaviour right in front of us as two massive giraffes fought each other using their long necks. Called necking, this form of combat is devastating and can leave the combatants with broken necks, jaws, or severe injuries to internal organs.

Machaba Ngoma Safari Lodge Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Giraffe At Chobe National Park

December was one of the best months of 2025. From lion kills to giraffe fights, we can’t wait to see how January 2026 tops this!

Until next time, 
MK
Ngoma Safari Lodge