Botswana - Okavango Delta - Machaba Camp

A Cheetah Family Meal

Cheetahs are some of the most devoted mothers in the animal kingdom. Their cubs are born helpless and blind, relying on their parent for grooming, protection and food.

Until the cubs are fully weaned at around six to eight weeks, mothers regularly move them to new locations to prevent predators from picking up on their scent. From then on, cubs blissfully follow their mother everywhere.

On an early morning game drive, we saw a beautiful female cheetah with her adorable eight-month-old cub feeding on an impala kill. We were delighted to see the next generation growing so well.

A Tree-Climbing Lioness

The morning weather this month has been pleasant and ideal for game sightings. The game drive started well with sightings of kudu, waterbuck, and zebra, and we could feel the wild held more for us.

So when we found lioness tracks crossing the road, curiosity told us to follow them. When we caught up to her, her mouth was covered in blood, and her tummy was full.

She moved behind a fallen mophane tree, revealing the waterbuck carcass she was feeding on. Then, in a few swift movements, she grabbed her kill and climbed up a nearby leadwood tree. We admired her for some time before she jumped from the tree and settled beneath a nearby shrub for some shade.

We’d want to relax after a meal like that, too!

Thieving Leopard

During an afternoon game drive, our highest hopes were set on spotting a leopard. We drove to Matswere Pan, keeping an eye out for the spotted beauties, when we heard an alarm call. A guest saw something running in the tall grass.

We stopped to watch the scene unfold…

An impala bolted out of the grass, running for its life. Behind it was a pack of 14 African wild dogs looking to make the impala their next meal.

The pack split up in different directions, surrounding the terrified antelope and catching it within minutes. Just when we thought the excitement was over, a leopard swiftly stole the carcass from the wild dogs.

Not ones to take theft lightly, the wild dogs frenzied after the leopard and chased it into a tree. The dogs finished their meal before immediately going on another hunt.

Nurturing Mother Cheetah

A mother cheetah’s golden coat still glistened from the evening's downpour when we spotted her. She moved gracefully across the plains with her body low and two tiny cubs trailing behind her. They were barely a few weeks old and followed their mother, who led them to a small clearing.

She stopped and scanned the horizon to make sure nothing could threaten her before she crouched to nurse her young. After a few minutes of feeding, the female cheetah became alert. She nudged her cubs into the nearby bushes and led them into the undergrowth where they would be safe and hidden from sight.

She knew that this was a perfect place to hide her cubs while she hunted. But before she left, she lingered for a few minutes, making 100% sure that there were no predators around. Once she was sure of their safety, she searched for their next meal.

February at Machaba Camp was spectacular once again. From cheetah sightings to a brawl between wild dogs and a leopard, we can't wait to see what next month has in store.

Until next time, 
MJ
Machaba Camp