Welcome to our July Big Cat Round-Up, where we share just a few of the many thrilling big cat sightings from the past month.

From dramatic hunts to intense territorial displays, our guests have experienced the incredible lives of these magnificent predators.

1st July 2024

The month began with an afternoon game drive led by Elias, where guests spotted a new male leopard relaxing in the Mwamba riverbed at Long-Cut Crossing. As the sun set, he moved towards Two-Tree Crossing and later ventured into Lion Plain, stalking impalas under the cover of darkness.

New male leopard

4th July 2024

Sly and his guests had an exciting evening game drive, encountering the Mwamba-Kaingo lion pride. The group, consisting of two new males, four females, and two sub-adult males, was spotted near Chambo area, feasting on a hippo. After their meal, a hippo charged them, and later, the females were surrounded by hyenas, prompting them to head south. The males stayed behind, eventually moving towards Boston Loop.

New male lion

Mwamba-Kaingo pride

Mwamba-Kaingo pride

5th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Sly and his guests found Nthanda resting close to the Ebony Grove.

Nthanda

Nthanda

6th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Sly and his guests spotted Chipazua on the prowl, attempting to hunt puku in a gully. Although she failed, she later climbed a sausage tree to rest in.

That same evening, they then saw six members of the Mwamba-Kaingo pride laying down and then heading towards Long-Cut Crossing.

Chipazua

Chipazua

Mwamba-Kaingo pride

7th July 2024

During an afternoon game drive, Sly and his guests spotted Mwezi marking her territory before disappearing into the bush.

Later that night, they found seven members of the Mwamba-Kaingo pride at Boston Loop, drinking water and resting.

Mwezi

Mwamba-Kaingo pride

8th July 2024

Elias and his guests observed the two new male lions by the West Mwamba river, devouring a dead hippo in the riverbed.

New male lion

11th July 2024

Yoram and his guests had an eventful evening, first spotting Chipazua’s son, Chisomo, unsuccessfully hunting, and then nearby, they found his sister, Taonga, with a freshly killed impala!

They also encountered a new male leopard, roughly the same age as Chisomo, by Guinea Fowl Plain, looking well-fed as he headed towards the Mobile Hide.

Taonga

New male leopard

16th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Elias and his guests tracked Chipazua on the hunt, moving from Short-Cut Crossing to Acacia Loop in search of puku. Despite her efforts, she was unsuccessful and moved up to Acacia Small Grove.

Chipazua

19th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Sly and his guests spotted Taonga resting along the Mwamba riverbanks.

Later, they saw Chisomo at Acacia Loop, where he had lost a puku kill to hyenas. One clever hyena dragged the kill into the water, preventing Chisomo from retrieving it.

In the evening, they saw the two new male lions near Hodi Crossing, resting with scars visible on one of the males.

Taonga

Chisomo and hyenas

New male lion

20th July 2024

The next morning, Sly and his guests witnessed a younger male leopard dashing into the bush with Taonga’s impala kill near Shortcut Crossing. Close by, Taonga, with a full belly, was scavenging for leftovers.

In the afternoon, the two new male lions were seen with full bellies, resting near 040 Road.

Taonga

New male lions

25th July 2024

Yoram and his guests found the Mwamba-Kaingo pride near Numbu Platform, resting in tall grass with full bellies after an eland kill. The two new males, likely aiming to take over the pride, were nearby. One of the males got up for a drink before returning to rest.

Yoram holding the horns of the Eland

New male lion

26th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Chappy and his guests saw the two new males walking purposefully through the Mopane forest, deep into the bush.

New male lion

New male lions

28th July 2024

On an evening game drive near the Ebony Grove, Chappy and his guests spotted Mwezi in a tree with a bushbuck kill, while hyenas waited below for scraps.

Mwezi

29th July 2024

On their morning game drive, Chappy and his guests returned to find Mwezi still in the sausage tree, finishing her kill.

Later, they saw Chipazua near Fish Eagle Lagoon, unsuccessfully hunting impalas before resting in the shade.

They also tracked the two new male lions covered in mud near Hippo Hospital, likely having crossed the river earlier. They were resting with empty bellies.

Mwezi

Hyena

Chipazua

New male lion

New male lion

30th July 2024

On a morning game drive, Elias and his guests spotted Chipazua at the top end of Fish Eagle Lagoon. She was trying to hunt baboons but failed, so she headed towards Lion Plain. While following her there, they spotted Chipazua’s son, Chisomo, attempting to hunt antelope, but he also failed, so they left him.

After that sighting, they spotted one of the new male leopards by Mwamba Extension, patrolling the area.

Chipazua

Chisomo