Machaba Camp Wildlife Stories December 2024
The year’s end brought welcomed rain to the Okavango, transforming the parched landscape into a lush green oasis. As the scenery changed, it inspired us to reflect on the past year at Machaba Camp. The temperatures were high, and so were our spirits as we closed another chapter, ending another amazing year on safari in Botswana.
Jackal and Hide
It was an overcast morning with cool air promising some early showers. BT, one of our expert guides, and his guests were in a joyous mood as they embarked on an early morning game drive.
All the signs were there - fresh tracks at the Seronga sign, alarm calls from squirrels and spurfowls and the ominous circling of vultures overhead. We knew we were in for an exciting encounter.
A few moments passed and a jackal bolted from a bush followed shortly by a lioness pushing the smaller predator off her kill - a buffalo carcass. Guests were debating whether or not the jackal would outrun the lioness as the jackal ran from bush to bush desperately in search of shelter.
Cub Relocation
A lioness was seen sneaking out from a bush with a cub in her mouth. She strategically relocated the cub to a safer site, as there were signs of male lions in the area. The lioness followed an elephant trail up north and crossed a gravel road to the safety of some bushes.
Non-biological male lions will often kill the cubs of another. This ensures the genes of another male do not pass into the next generation.
Persistence Pays Off
As the sun dipped under the western horizon and shadows elongated, the hopes to see a leopard waned. After a day of tracking, we headed back to camp along the road from Mosomalia.
With torchlight scanning the darkening plains, a white tail briefly came into view. We had found the leopard! And this leopard was on a mission.
Stalking a herd of impalas in the darkening light, the leopard had the advantage. All too quickly, the leopard pounced and seized its target by the neck. After a few minutes, the leopard dragged its prey up a nearby acacia tree and started feeding on it.
Leave It Up To Nature
Guests often ask us to try to find a specific animal. This is when our skills and bush knowledge are really put to the test… But sometimes, we agree to leave things up to nature and set out on a leisurely drive.
After a delightful picnic, a herd of impala came crashing through the bush. Wondering what could have made them run so fast, we were now fully alert. Suddenly two wild dogs sprinted from a bush chasing the frightened antelope. Knowing this meant life or death, the impalas galloped through a river into the Moremi Game Reserve aware that the wild dogs would not likely cross. Leaving the dogs stranded on the other side of the narrow waterway.
'Kasongos'
Affectionately known as Kasongos, a warthog family, bathed in a pond near camp. Warthogs are often seen around camp, but it was particularly special to see them wallowing with their young ones.
We wrapped up the year nicely with some incredible sightings from Machaba Camp. From a sounder of warthogs playfully splashing in a pond near camp to the thrilling sightings of leopard and lion cubs, we look forward to welcoming new guests, reuniting with old friends and creating many a safari memory in 2025.
Until next time,
Linguist
Machaba Camp
