Zimbabwe - Ingwe Pan Camp - Aug 2024

Ingwe Pan Camp Wildlife Sightings August 2024

Although August has just ended, we can tell that spring has officially begun, bringing the much-anticipated spring heat to Ingwe Pan. To date, we have recorded a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celcius and a minimum of 11 degrees.

This combination of cool mornings and hot daytimes makes for the perfect environment to go on a safari around the nearby pan where animals go to drink and cool off.

Show Offs

Sometimes, it's easy to spot the amazing creatures around Ingwe Pan Camp. Sometimes, they come right up to your vehicle like one pair of hyenas did while some of our guests were enjoying a sundowner. What's more, some of the animals are so big that you can’t miss them even if you try.

Just like the enormous elephants our guests spotted standing tall on their hind legs to pick leaves and fruits off the tops of acacia trees.

Shifts In Dominance

Elephants are the largest land animals in the world. So, it would not be surprising to see these majestic creatures dominating a watering hole like we did in the middle of August. However, Just because you’re big doesn’t mean your rule is absolute.

On this same day, we witnessed a pride of five lions preparing to start a hunt. They were just waiting for the sun to finally set when their nocturnal nature made these ferocious big cats the most dominant predators in Africa.

Care For A Drink

One evening towards the end of the month, our guests sat by the fireplace and had a drink as they recounted the day's experiences. Little did they know a leopard gracefully appeared in camp, looking to have a peaceful drink of water by the pan.

After it had its fill, the leopard left just as elegantly as it appeared, leaving us with another story to tell over the fireplace.

Tea Time At Ingwe

At Ingwe Pan Camp, tea time is not just for our guests but also for the animals surrounding the camp. Although we don’t serve them actual tea, they can have their fill from the water in the pan, just like the pride of five lions that joined our tea time on one fateful day.

They came into the pan, drank from it, and basked in the sun while we basked in their beauty. Later, some of our guests were inspired to go on another game drive after seeing their tea-time guests.

Harmony

One would not be mistaken to think that the wilds of Africa are filled with moments of unbelievable ferocity. However, there is just as much peace and harmony as there is bloodshed. During one of August's last days, we see this harmony fully displayed at the pan. As our guests waited for an afternoon activity to begin, buffalos came to drink water in the pan.

Not long after, elephants also appeared, giving the buffalo space and respecting their presence there. Impalas also joined the fray, drinking water and playfully jumping around the pan. Surprisingly enough, even the crocodile that was in the pan was on its best behaviour, leaving the pan to bask in the sun near some tree.