Ingwe Pan Wildlife Stories August 2025
Temperatures at Ingwe Pan Camp had been pleasant as spring approached. Skies were clear for the majority of the month, while the slight wind made it shower with golden leaves.
Mornings and evenings were still chilly, but that was nothing a light jacket couldn’t solve. Afternoons were hot and sunny, leaving us with perfect visibility to see the most amazing sightings the month had to offer.
Wildlife Competition
During one of our game drives, we decided to have a wildlife spotting competition. Although we got a little carried away and forgot to record our final scores, we definitely remember what the highlights of the game were.
First, we spotted a red hornbill. These omnivorous birds feed on insects, termites, reptiles and fruits, while their females can lay a clutch of up to five eggs. Later, as we were counting squirrels, we saw an adorable mongoose. These short-legged and furry animals are different from squirrels in a few important ways. They are generally larger with brown or grey-ish brown fur, long tapering tails and pointed snouts, while squirrels are smaller with a variety of coats, bushy tails and rounded snouts.
We also spotted scores of impalas, but there were too many to count.
Africa’s Big Boys
Contrary to their size, spotting big animals is not as easy as it looks. Many of them have pelts or skin that blend in perfectly in with their surroundings. Luckily, we saw two of the biggest animals near Ingwe Pan Camp. On our way to Nyati Pan, our guide picked up buffalo scent nearby. A few minutes later, we ran into a herd with over fifty of them.
After that amazing sighting, we went for sundowners at a nearby pan. When we arrived, we found elephants drinking. They froze when they spotted us, checking us out and weighing up if they thought we were threats. After our presence had been approved, it allowed us to marvel at them.
Limitless Lions
Even the most well-travelled guests can not get enough of seeing lions in Africa.
During a game drive with guests well-aquainted with the bush life, we got a close-up sighting of two male lions in thick bushes. We stopped for a while and took some incredible pictures of the pair to add to our guests' collection of travel stories.
Happy Accident
Even a silly mistake can yield wonderful results at Ingwe Pan Camp.
One of our guests had left their camera at camp after we left for an early morning drive. As we drove back to collect it, we came across two lions close to camp. It was one of our guests’ first times seeing a lion, and he could not have been more excited.
Elephant Time
It is that time of the year when many watering holes start to dry up, and elephants flock to the pan in front of Ingwe Pan Camp.
Recently, a group of elephant mothers and their calves have been coming to the pan to drink while we revel in the heartwarming scene. Calves are born without knowing how to control their trunks, but with a little practice picking up leaves, eating and drinking, they slowly but surely master the skill. Their training starts at about one year old, but being the playful young ones they are, they can’t help but cause a little mischief along the way.
August was spectacular for wildlife encounters. Join us next month for another blog from Ingwe Pan Camp.
Until next time,
Marcy
Ingwe Pan Camp
