Machaba Camp Wildlife Sightings August 2024
Finally, winter is over and we are enjoying spring, the most anticipated season at Machaba Camp. Known as the rainy season, these next three months are a favourite for locals as the rains nourish the currently dry vegetation in Botswana. In August, we recorded a minimum temperature of 11.9 degrees Celcius and a maximum of 28 degrees, a noticeable rise from July.
As of yet, there has not been any rain. However, the Okavango Delta is slowly filling up thanks to the rains in Angola. As a result, the flood plain here at Machaba Camp is also growing larger, attracting more wildlife to us as they look to quench their thirst and cool off in the refreshing waters.
Riverside Romance
On the very first day of August, our guides and their guests woke up early to admire one of the most beautiful sights in Botswana… sunrise. First, starting with a trickle of light dancing across the sky, the sun rose until it fully illuminated the wild and untamed Botswanan landscape. Later in the day, the guests were curious about what a mokoro canoeing experience would be like. So they went off to find out for themselves. However, when they got to the canoe station, they were greeted by the sight of two lions mating. They stood in awe as they got to see Mother Nature in action.
Later, the two disappeared into the bush and continued creating the next generation. After the joy of that sighting subsided, our guests managed to experience seeing the wondrous landscape for the calm and relaxing waters.
A Glimpse Is All You Need
The most amazing feeling we at Machaba Camp can have is the joy of seeing our guests witness the animals they came from all over the world to see. In the second week of August, we did just that. A group visiting Machaba Camp mentioned that they would love to see some African wild dogs, and on one particular game drive, our guide embarked on a mission with them to find some. And as is by divine grace, a pack of wild dogs came trotting past them by the Dolar Lagoon flood plain into a nearby thicket.
They followed the pack, but unfortunately, they could not spot them again. However, judging by the excitement on our guests’ faces, that glimpse was all they needed.
Botswana Always Surprises
No matter how long we stay, study or observe the magnificence of Botswana, we are always left in awe of the surprises we see on the plains. On this fateful day, our guides and their guests were manoeuvring through the Khwai area by Matswiri pan and saw a cheetah in the middle of a hunt.
This is a rare sight at Machaba Camp as these big cats prefer more open areas to chase down their prey. Our guides even screamed out in victory as this sighting is just that special to even us who live here. Unfortunately, the poor cheetah was unable to snag a meal that day.
Scavenger Scuffle
On one blistering day, our guests were on a game drive to see if they could spot any wildlife in and around Machaba Camp. They passed a hyena den on their journey to see if anyone was home. To their astonishment, two lions were by the den. They stayed there to watch the lions and see what they would do, but not too long after they arrived, a hyena returned to the den carrying a piece of elephant meat.
The lions saw an opportunity to score an easy meal, and a fight broke out between the three animals. The fight dragged on, with neither side willing to back down. Scenes like these are quite common, as hyenas and lions roam the same territories, hunt the same prey, and scavenge the same types of carcases.
Until next time,
Atty & Moss
Machaba Camp
