Wildlife Stories Kiri Camp September 2025
September at Kiri Camp was characterised by hot days, high winds and receding floodwaters. New safari pathways slowly opened up for our upcoming game drives, which is always an exciting thought for all of us.
Plains Pangolin
During an evening game drive, we were tracking lions alongside the Boro Channel when we spotted something moving slowly across the plains.
We drove closer to see what it was, and to everyone’s delight, it was an elusive pangolin!
Pangolins are the only mammals with scales. They form a protective, overlapping shell that covers 80% of their body. When threatened, they curl themselves into tight balls to shield their soft spots from sharp teeth, claws and talons.
Wild Dog Bonanza
While we were all on individual evening game drives, our general manager reported that a pack of nine African wild dogs ran past the back of camp. Our manager followed the pack to a watering hole where eight more puppies were waiting. The puppies mock-hunted a tree log while the adults frolicked in the water.
When the rest of our guides arrived with their guests, the pack had already been running and hunting through the plains at full speed. Only stopping to allow their pups to catch up. Later, two of the wild dogs caught a shrub hare.
Chilled Out Cheetah
It was during an early morning game drive that we came across the most relaxed cheetah we’d see in September. The speedy cat sat under a tree and didn’t move from that spot the whole day. That allowed both our arriving and departing guests a chance to see one of Africa’s most famous big cats.
Clumsy Cubs
Family time is the best time.
We managed to witness this when our three resident lionesses and six cubs were spotted on a small island during an afternoon game drive. Two of the lionesses climbed into a tree, balancing on a high branch while their cubs followed behind.
To our amusement, the cubs kept falling off the branches when they tried to catch up to their moms. Their little roars made it even cuter.
Mating Leopards
Early one morning, a report of two leopards mating near Kiri Camp came in. We jumped into our vehicles and headed straight towards the designated location, and found two very lazy leopards lying by a sausage tree.
After a few minutes, the female climbed to the branch where the male was. In a great act of coordination, the two then started to mate in the tree.
September was an incredible month for wildlife spotting. From mating leopards to wild dog pups, October has a lot to live up to.
Until next time,
Stef Ellett
Kiri Camp
