Leopard and Lion at Home at Kalahari Plains Camp

Location: Kalahari Plains Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Date: 10-14 June 2010
Observers: Russel Crossey and the Kalahari Plains Camp staff

The rainwater-fed waterhole in front of camp is really coming into its own now as the dry season progresses. Every day we see more and more game arriving on the plain in front of camp. There are still scores of springbok and oryx on the plain right throughout the day. As usual one can also often count as many as eight honey badgers scattered across the open area. Groups of red hartebeest are also beginning to appear in greater numbers.

The real action however has been with the cats. It all began on Friday 11 June when Frances and his guests witnessed four cheetah kill and eat a steenbok very close to their vehicle. Two mornings later, while Willie was doing the early morning wake-up, he came across a leopard that had just killed a springbok. The leopard dragged its prey under Room 10 and proceeded to feed. Some jackals close by began to alarm call and we were sure that the lions would show up as they did the last time there was a kill near camp. The leopard must have known this and as soon as the dawn broke, she dragged the carcass deeper under Room 10 and disappeared from view. 

Sure enough, as soon as we left camp on game drive, we came across the Plains Pride. They (two adult males and three adult females) were making a beeline for the camp. The females were, however, distracted by some oryx which they began stalking but the males continued to the waterhole for a drink. They walked right by Room 10 without noticing the carcass and after drinking they returned to the females. The females had failed in the hunt and the pride then disappeared toward the south.

That evening things really got interesting. Shortly after 19h00, we saw two leopard making their way towards Room 10. The female who had made the kill was returning with her sub-adult cub. They went straight to the carcass and continued feeding.

A while later, the staff were having dinner behind the camp and the female appeared, apparently thirsty. She went to a small puddle in the shadows, passing just five metres from the table and completely ignoring everyone. A few moments later, she reappeared with her cub and they both passed within metres of us again. We collected the guests who were thrilled to see the pair so close – we all stood in a huddle enjoying the spectacle. The leopards then moved onto the deck in front of the curio shop and then onto the pool deck. It was breathtaking stuff and the guests were beside themselves with excitement. We left the cats moving off into the dark.

By 23h00, the lions had finally picked up the scent. They arrived and polished off the remains of the carcass. 

Our guests left the next morning, totally blown away by the Kalahari as the lions roared all around camp as we left for the airstrip. On our return, we found the ladies raving. The camp staff were again entertained by the leopard who came into camp at about 08h00 and spent most of the morning sleeping under the deck.