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June 2026 - Week 1 Roundup
Updated: Jun 8
21st May - 6th June 2026
Lion
Sighted on: 06.June.2026
To conserve vital energy during the peak heat of the day, several sub-adult members of the resident lion pride were seen huddled closely together. They had taken refuge deep within the cool shade of a thorny bush canopy, a behavioral adaptation that allows them to lower their metabolic rate before nocturnal hunting begins.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Gemsbok & Springbok
Sighted on: 06.June.2026
A striking gemsbok (oryx) stands in the foreground looking back over its shoulder, highlighting its long, rapier-like horns and distinct black-and-white facial markings. Scattered behind it across the wide-open pan grassland is a peaceful, grazing herd of springboks, showing a typical distribution of Kalahari desert specialists.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Plains Zebra & Giraffe
Sighted on: 05.June.2026
A classic example of mutualistic savanna behaviour, a plains zebra stands quietly alongside the legs and lower torso of a towering southern giraffe, while another giraffe browses further back in the acacia scrub. This close association allows both species to combine the giraffe's long-range vision and the zebra's acute hearing to detect predators early.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Slender Mongoose
Sighted on: 05.June.2026
Captured in a moment of high alertness, a lone slender mongoose stands fully upright on its hind legs at the edge of a sandy track. With its mouth wide open, it is actively vocalising a high-pitched alarm call or a defensive chittering display, scanning for potential aerial or ground threats.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Lion
Sighted on: 05.June.2026
A magnificent adult male Kalahari lion was seen resting peacefully amidst the dry, golden winter grasses of the savanna bushveld. His physical condition was exceptional, showcasing the robust build and the beautifully darkening chest and shoulder mane characteristic of the region’s apex predators.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Brown Hyena & Black-backed Jackal
Sighted on: 03/ 04.June.2026
A camera trap deployed within the reserve recorded two nocturnal carnivore species during the night. A Brown Hyena was photographed at 23:25, followed by a Black-backed Jackal at 00:04. Both animals were captured moving through the same area, demonstrating the active nocturnal wildlife presence within the reserve.
The Brown Hyena, recognized by its shaggy coat and powerful build, is one of the Kalahari's most important scavengers, while the Black-backed Jackal is an adaptable predator and scavenger commonly encountered across the region.
Their use of the same location within a short time frame highlights the importance of this area as part of their nightly movement routes.
These sightings provide valuable insight into the reserve's nocturnal ecosystem and the diversity of carnivore activity after dark.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Zizie Seitaa
Giraffe
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
We found a single adult standing in the dry bush-veld, but the coolest part was what it was doing. It was chewing on an old bone! This is called osteophagia clever trick giraffes use to get extra calcium when the winter plants don't have enough nutrients.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Spotted Eagle Owl
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
Talk about a master of hide-and-seek. This beautiful owl was escaping the afternoon heat by snoozing deep inside the green leaves of an apple-leaf tree. It sat completely still, staring right at us with its huge, bright yellow eyes
Content Creator / Photographer:
Zizie Seitaa
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
Perched high on a dead branch against a bright blue sky, this raptor was caught mid-grooming, tucking its head into its chest. Between preens, it was intensely scanning the cleared fence line, waiting to spot a rodent or lizard.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Juvenile Bateleur Eagle
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
Right as it was preparing for takeoff, we caught this large brown sub-adult balancing on a bare branch with its wings spread wide. You could easily tell it was a youngster by its pale, greenish-blue face and beak.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Impala
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
A small group of three impalas paused their grazing in the dry grass to watch us pass. The closest one was a young male with short, growing horns, looking incredibly sharp with his golden-brown coat and the signature black "M" stripes on his tail.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Plains Zebra Foal
Sighted on: 03.June.2026
Hidden in a quiet, wooded clearing, a tiny zebra foal turned its head to stare at us with pure curiosity. It was a beautiful sight, sporting perfect black-and-white stripes, a fluffy brown mane, and those soft, brownish "shadow" stripes on its hindquarters. A perfect reminder of the new life thriving out here!
Content Creator / Photographer:
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