Monachira Camp Wildlife Stories July 2026
Weather Report
As we head thead into Spring, the days are getting slightly warmer, although just before sunrise and sunset, temperatures throughout the Okavango Delta still drop dramatically. The lowest minimum temperature recorded during July was 3.4ºC, while the highest recorded temperature was 30.5ºC.
Shared Duty
Early on during the month, we observed a female ostrich sitting on her clutch of eggs when the gentlemanly father came and relieved her of duty. Typically, ostriches incubate between 35 and 42 days before hatching. After just a few days, the chicks leave the nest but remain under their mother’s primary care for about a year before becoming fully independent.
Communal Nursing
While out on safari, we came across a lioness and her cubs. Soon after we arrived, the cubs started suckling. Cubs begin suckling shortly after birth and gradually start to eat meat while also nursing from their mother. Lionesses in a pride also nurse each other’s cubs, a behaviour called communal nursing. This ensures that cubs are fed even if their own mother is away hunting.
Protecting The Kill
Our two resident male lions managed to take down an elephant overnight. The two males protected the carcass for days, allowing only other members of their pride to feed while denying anything else access to their spoils.
Nap Time
While out on a drive, we noticed an elephant sleeping upright. Moments later, it lay down and slept some more. Elephants often sleep standing up for short periods, especially in the wild like the Okavango Delta, where they need to stay alert at all times.
Interestingly, elephants only sleep for about two hours a day, spread out in short naps. That's very little compared to other mammals.
July had some of the best winter sightings. Come back soon for more stories from the Okavango Delta and Machaba Safaris!
Until next time,
Steven/Moss
Monachira Camp
