Carnivores in the Kalahari

Location:  Kalahari Plains Camp
Date:  July 2010
Observer: Russell Crossey

A few days of incredible carnivore viewing in the Kalahari began with finding a young female leopard stalking a pair of steenbok. We spent an enthralling 20 minutes watching the stalk. The leopard eventually charged but failed in her attempt. She then proceeded to roll and bask in the perfect evening light, providing excellent photographic opportunities and coming right up to our vehicle. She sat and watched us for a long while before sauntering off in the direction of camp. 

The guests were a bit disappointed that their daughter had missed the spectacle as she had elected to stay in camp. They need not have worried. Halfway through dinner we heard the repeated alarm call of a jackal very close by. Investigation revealed the same young leopard looking for water on the edge of the deck. She went under the deck and spent some 15 minutes relaxing and grooming herself there. We all had a perfect view of her through the decking as she nonchalantly went about her business.

The following morning, we embarked on a morning drive to the Deception Valley. This turned out to be equally successful with an excellent cheetah sighting at Lekubu. On returning to the camp we found all of the staff very excited as three lions had walked through camp and out past room three.

The following morning drive, again to Deception Valley, the cat trilogy was completed with an excellent sighting of one of the big Lekubu males. He very obligingly roared for us before sauntering off into the woodland. The next morning, the same guests were treated to a final morning drive headlined by a meeting with the two Kalahari Plains Pride males.

Shortly after all the lion, leopard and cheetah activity, we managed to spot and film (see clip below), a stunning brown hyaena in the middle of the day.