Kiri Camp Wildlife Stories July 202
As expected, July was a chilly month. Early mornings and nights were cold yet perfect for seeing predators hunt. The warm midday was the ideal time to see massive herds of game at watering holes. Flood waters continued to trickle into the Kiri Channel. Soon we will see water and the accompanying birdlife right in front of camp.
Leopard With Your Tea
On the first day of the month, our resident male leopard, Waka, came to visit us at Kiri. The unbothered cat strolled through camp as we were about to have our afternoon tea. Safe to say we immediately changed our plans.
We hopped into our safari vehicles and followed Waka as he passed by the rooms and staff village. Eventually, he climbed up a termite mound and posed for a few pictures before lazing the afternoon away.
Rooming With Lions
Loud lion roars led us to discover a fresh buffalo kill in front of room 10 just t before sunrise. We waited until everyone was awake and took the guests from rooms nine and ten outside to the front of their rooms, where they could safely see four lionesses feasting on a massive buffalo carcass just 100 meters away.
The lions stayed there for two full days giving everyone front row seats to the action in between their regular safari activities.
In the early hours of the third day, a clan of 12 hyenas showed up looking for a fight. They brawled with the lions over the buffalo scraps, causing a loud and exciting commotion. Alas, the hyenas’ numbers were too great, and they made off with the spoils.
Elderly Cheetah
A morning game drive blessed us with a magnificent cheetah sighting. This particular cat was very interesting. He was quite old and blind in one eye.. We watched him briefly lean against a tree before slipping into the dense thickets.
The maximum known lifespan of a cheetah is around 20 years. However, in the wild, territorial disputes, illness, and injuries can reduce this expectancy to as little as eight years.
Lioness Kudu Kill
Our resident Marula pride of lions were crossing the plains in search of food when their four lionesses spotted a herd of kudu. They immediately sprang into action and started stalking, tailing and ambushing one of the males.
They brought him down but before their cubs started feeding, they made sure their kill was dead.
July was a spectacular month filled with even more spectacular wildlife sightings! Join us next month to see what August has in store.
Until next time,
Stef Ellet
Kiri Camp
