Ingwe Pan Camp Wildlife Stories October 2025
The pan in front of Ingwe Pan Camp was one of the few remaining water sources in Mana Pools National Park in October, and we were treated to almost daily wildlife sightings.
Weather Report
Temperatures in Mana Pools ranged between 18 and 34°C, with some windy days scattered throughout the month. Sunrise was at 05:25 while the sun set at 17:53. This was definitely the hottest month of the year, but thanks to the heat, we indulged in wonderful armchair safaris when wildlife drank from the pan in front of Ingwe.
Resting Wild Dogs
During a game drive, we caught up with a pack of eight African wild dogs resting under a tree. They had chased an impala across the open plain. Unfortunately for the dogs, their efforts did not result in a kill. Failure is part of the rhythm of survival. The wild dogs don’t dwell on disappointment. Instead, the pack regrouped under a tree, tongues hanging out of their mouths as they cooled down from the hunt.
African wild dogs are one of Africa’s most effective, with success rates higher than those of lions and leopards. Their strength lies not in stealth, speed or power, but in coordination and endurance. Every member of the pack has a role to play. The pack communicates through high-pitched calls and subtle body signals to adjust their formation around their prey. When their efforts are ineffective, the daily battle between energy spent and energy gained intensifies, making the next hunt that much more important.
Lions On Elephant Kill
Some sightings pull at the heartstrings more than others, and this was one of them. We spotted two male lions feeding on a large female elephant carcass. Knowing how deep a bond elephants share, we can only imagine how devastated her baby and herd must have been.
The lions lounged beside the elephant’s body, one of them actively fed on it while the other rested in the shade of a tree.
Buffalo Bodyguards
Three lions and a cub were stalking a big herd of buffalo under the shade of a tree. They lay in wait, ready to ambush the herd once they decided who their target would be. However, buffalo are the mortal enemies of lions. Their large bodies, massive numbers and willingness to protect each other mean any lion attack would be met with fierce resistance. The lions pounced, looking to pick off the young and the weak, but thanks to the teamwork of the buffalo herd, the lions were chased away.
Buffalo Biology
A herd of over 50 buffalo came to drink from the pan in front of camp.
Water is a crucial component for all buffalo species’ survival. As herbivores, they consume large amounts of fibrous plant material. Water aids in softening the roughage, enables the absorption of nutrients, and helps break down microorganisms in their stomachs.
A lack of water can severely affect digestive efficacy. Buffaloes in hot climates face significant challenges maintaining stable body temperature. Water assists in thermoregulation through evaporative cooling.
Armchair Safari
We did not need to go far for our next sighting. At about 18:30 one evening, as we were about to have dinner before a nighttime game drive, one of our guides spotted a leopard drinking from the pan. It didn’t want to share its space with any other animal and left for another side of the pan when six wild dogs appeared.
The dogs drank peacefully until a hyena came to harass them. The dogs chased it away before we turned our attention to the over 20 buffalo on the other side of the pan.
October was filled with amazing sightings. Watch this space for more Ingwe Pan Wildlife Stories.
Until next time,
Marcy
Ingwe Pan Camp
