Machaba Camp Wildlife Stories March 2026
Weather Report
March at Machaba Camp was exceptionally wet. Persistent heavy rainfall breathed more life into the already lush landscape and kept daytime temperatures around 2630°C, and nighttime temperatures mild between 17 and 20°C. The abundance of rain led to widespread flooding and waterlogged terrain across the plains, while the Khwai River reached maximum capacity.
A Mother's Lesson
During a game drive along Hyena Road, we were lucky enough to spot a female leopard and her cub. It quickly became obvious that they were in the middle of an active hunt. Nearby, a group of mongoose was darting in and out of their burrows. The cub watched patiently, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Suddenly, it leapt into action and successfully captured one.
Almost immediately, the female leopard caught her own. It was in this moment that we realised that she was teaching her cub how to hunt. She allowed her kin to engage in the hunt, make mistakes, and ultimately succeed. This brief yet enthralling interaction shows a side of the wild not many get to see, how one generation of predator passes on their skills to the next.
Brown Snake Eagle
Back at Wild Dog Pan, we delighted in seeing a beautiful brown snake eagle. It was perched high atop a tree, surveying the area. Its calm grace kept us all in awe until, without warning, it launched from its perch and started diving at high speed. Its body headed straight for the ground, where it snatched an oblivious mole rat with unimaginable precision. The eagle then returned to the tree, where it began feeding on its prey.
Mother Nature’s Best
After several weeks of not seeing any African Wild Dogs, their first appearance back near Machaba Camp was during an active hunt at Wild Dog Pan. Six wild dogs were spotted moving with practised coordination before launching into a high-speed chase targeting nearby impala.
Working together, the chase was intense but brief. It showcased their renowned teamwork and endurance. After the pack successfully brought down their prey, they immediately killed it and started their feeding frenzy.
Let’s Go For A Swim
We witnessed a mind-blowing hunt by a pride of 15 lions at the end of March. Along the river at Magotlho, the pride was actively hunting a herd of reedbuck grazing near the water's edge. Sensing the danger, the herd surged into the water and swam, trying to make a desperate escape.
With no hesitation, the 15 lions followed, powering through the water in pursuit. The sight of some of the world's biggest cats swimming was breathtaking. In all the chaos, the lions managed to isolate a mother and her calf, the pride brought them down in the water, and later dragged them to the side of the river where their feast began.
March at Machaba was a month of exhilarating predator sightings. Stay tuned for another Machaba Camp Wildlife Story coming soon!
Until next time,
Kulto
Machaba Camp/Litlle Machaba
