April 2026 - Week 5 Roundup

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Elephants

Sighted on: 01.May.2026

During todays safari we tracked a breeding herd of elephants moving through a particularly dense thicket. With visibility limited, we observed them employing a “periscoping” technique-raising their trunks above the canopy and sweeping them through the air to catch the wind. This behaviour allows them to sample scents and pinpoint our position, effectively using their trunks as a form of olfactory radar to maintain 360-degree awareness. Despite the restricted line of sight, the herd remained calm and composed as they continued their steady movement across the Kalahari landscape.

Content Creator / Photographer:

Mogomotsi Maboga

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Tent Tortoise

Sighted on: 01.May.2026

During today’s patrol, we recorded a notable sighting of two Kalahari Tented Tortoises (Psammobates oculifer). These small specialists were active on the soft sand, offering a clear view of their distinctive “tent-like” geometric shells and serrated, saw-tooth rear edges. Spotting two individuals in close proximity is a strong indicator of healthy local biodiversity. They were likely foraging for succulents and minerals, moving through the scrub with the quiet persistence that enables them to thrive in this semi-arid landscape.

Content Creator / Photographer:

Mogomotsi Maboga

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Western barn owl

Sighted on: 27.April.2026

As the day transitioned into the quiet of the evening, the high-energy acrobatics were replaced by the silent grace of a Western Barn Owl. Spotting this nocturnal specialist perched in the open was a rare privilege. We discussed how its iconic heart-shaped facial disc acts as a natural satellite dish, funneling the slightest rustle of a rodent directly into its asymmetrical ears. Unlike the flashy, vocal display of the Roller, the owl sat as a "ghost of the night," perfectly embodying the stealth and precision that make it one of the most efficient predators in the Kalahari. It was the perfect bookend to forty-eight hours of incredible wildlife activity.

Content Creator / Photographer:

Mogomotsi Maboga

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Lilac breasted roller

Sighted on: 27.April.2026

On our morning drive, we were treated to a vivid display by a male Lilac-breasted Roller. The "gem of the bush" truly lived up to its name as the male performed its signature courtship flight soaring high before diving in a series of dramatic swoops and side-to-side rolls to flaunt its brilliant turquoise and lilac plumage. His harsh, rhythmic calling added a raw energy to the sighting, marking a successful start to the breeding season and leaving us all in awe of such a small bird's immense territorial spirit.

Content Creator / Photographer:

Mogomotsi Maboga

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Black - backed jackal

Sighted on: 26.April.2026

We had an excellent sighting of a Black-backed jackal along the Khudu bush road. The animal was particularly curious, providing the guests with a great opportunity to observe its behavior. It remained stationary for some time, pivoting its ears in all directions to track sounds across the terrain a perfect demonstration of how these predators remain so alert in the bush.

Content Creator / Photographer:

Mogomotsi Maboga

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