Machaba Camp Wildlife Stories February 2026
Weather Report
February fell during the height of the rainy season in the Khwai Concession and the Okavango Delta. Temperatures were hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms characteristic of the wet season. The weather swung between heavy downpours and hot, clear days.
Temperatures were generally hot during the day, reaching up to 32ºC, while evenings and nights cooled down to around 20ºC. The abundance of rainwater led to rapid plant growth and the perfect conditions for migratory birds.
Lioness In Machaba Camp
In the early hours of the morning, we were woken up by the deep, resonant sounds of an adult lioness roaring in the middle of Machaba Camp. Guests, guides, and staff alike all woke out of their sleep, and shortly before dawn, she was spotted.
The lioness was calmly taking a stroll between the staff rooms and our luxury tents, making Machaba her own. With her presence in camp, we made sure that safety measures were strictly followed and unnecessary movements were temporarily halted. By 07:00, she was spotted again near the entrance to the staff village, keeping everyone in awe and on their toes.
She briefly left camp for a few hours, then came back later that same evening. This time, she sped through camp while being chased by a group of adolescent male lions. The sudden commotion stunned us all. But before we could collect ourselves, the lioness leapt gracefully into a tree. She remained on her perch, waiting for the young males to leave her alone.
Return Of The Wild Hunt
After a month of no African wild dog sightings, we finally found a pack of five on the Moxhwara of the concession. The pack was in the middle of a hunt, pursuing a herd of red lechwe antelope through the flooded plains. The wild dogs showcased incredible coordination and stamina, splitting up and corralling the antelope into a trap.
The pack ran directly through shallow water at high speed while the lechwe bounded effortlessly through the floodplains. Yet, the wild dogs kept up and isolated a weaker member of the herd. Unfortunately, the hunt moved out of our view, but judging by the 70-80% hunting success rate of this amazing species, we think they most likely had a lovely meal.
Trouble Maker
After a thrilling day of safari experiences in the Okavango Delta, we were visited by a trouble-making spotted hyena during dinner service in the main camp area. The scavenger emerged from the darkness, freezing us in place as it paid us no mind. We watched in disbelief as it confidently moved between the dining and lounge areas.
In true mischievous hyena fashion, it tried to take off with one of our couch cushions. At that moment, the cameras came out, and the unforgettable moment was captured forever. Later, the hyena made its way to Little Machaba, where it was seen trying to break into the waiters’ service cupboard.
Long-Awaited Sighting
Following several days of continuous rainfall in the Khwai Concession, game viewing was limited to general plains game. The rain quickly covered animal tracks, making tracking difficult for our expert team of safari guides.
Nevertheless, we persisted, and on an afternoon game drive, we spotted a female cheetah resting in the open grassland alongside her fully grown cub. Both of them had full bellies and looked healthy and relaxed. The nearby impala carcass confirmed that they recently completed a hunt and had no plans of moving on anytime soon.
The female cheetah occasionally lifted her head to take in their surroundings before resuming her rest. The cub appeared confident and attentive, staying close to its mother while occasionally moving around the carcass.
February was a spectacular month for predator viewing in and around Machaba Camp. Stay tuned for more wildlife stories from the Okavango Delta.
Until next time,
Kulto
Machaba Camp/Litlle Machaba
