December 2025 - Wildlife Sightings | Machaba Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana

Machaba Camp Wildlife Stories December 2025

Weather Report

In December, we were deep into the Botswana summer rainy season, which is typically one of the hottest months of the year. The weather at Machaba Camp and Khwai was dominated by intense heat, high humidity, and frequent thunderstorms. Average maximum temperatures ranged between 31-35 degrees Celcius while evenings are cooler, around 20-21 degrees. With 10-12 days of local rainfall, water levels in the channels and pans rose, leading to greener vegetation and well-fed wildlife.

Machaba Camp Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Dwarf Mongoose

Hunting 101

If there were a textbook on how to hunt in the African wilderness, African wild dogs would be its author.

During an afternoon game drive near the Barba area, a sense of anticipation descended over the silent plains. Moments later, two wild dogs were seen moving through the grassland. Alert and coordinated, the pair targeted a small group of impala grazing nearby.

Unaware of the wild dogs' presence, the predators began a short, focused pursuit. They used teamwork and speed instead of a long chase, securing and killing a small impala calf. After the successful hunt, the pair took their kill into thicker cover and began feeding. Wild dogs are ravenous predators. The small impala did not last long among the two, and after their meal, they slipped off into quiet cover.

Protection & Learning

During a classic Machaba safari through the vast plains of the Khwai Concession, we spotted an impala kill hanging from a tree at Onx Pan. Immediately after seeing the kill, the glowing eyes and russet coat of a female leopard grabbed our attention. Next to her was her adorable cub, wide-eyed and softer in appearance.

The little one climbed awkwardly over the branches, pausing every now and then to sniff at the air and look down at the world below it. Both mother and cub formed the perfect picture of protection and learning. The mother, protecting both her kin and her kill, while the small leopard learned from its parent.

Machaba Camp Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Leopard Cub In A Tree

Lion Coalition

We were on a game drive in the Mogotlho area when we encountered an impressive coalition of 15 lions moving through the open grassland. Spread out in a loose formation, the lions were clearly in hunting mode. Some fanned out on either flank, moving low and silently through the grass, while others followed at a steady pace. Their focus was intense, heads low, and eyes fixed ahead on a small herd of impala in the distance.

The lions subtly adjusted their positions, attempting to close the gap. As the herd drew closer and closer, the lions’ movements became sharper and more deliberate. Unfortunately, a sudden change in wind direction carried their scent to the impala, alerting them to the danger approaching.

The hunt unravelled quickly, the impala sprinted away while the lions could not catch up. Within seconds, the hunt was abandoned, and the lions regrouped.

Machaba Camp Wildlife Sightings December 2025 Lioness Coalition

Relaxed Kings & Queens

A pride of 14 lions, including a dominant male, was spotted around a fresh kudu kill. The alpha male was seen feeding while the rest of the pride rested under some nearby shade. Some had already fed, while others were patiently waiting their turn.

From the looks of it, the lions were calm and settled, conserving their energy under the hot sun. Several lionesses and subadult lions lay next to one another, occasionally lifting their heads to observe their surroundings.