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May 2026 - Week 1 Roundup
- May 6
- 2 min read
Updated: May 8
Lion kill
Sighted on: 08.May.2026
During a routine fence check, we located the Western Pride on our boundary with Deception Valley, heading toward the CKGR side. As we continued toward Maniki, we discovered the remains of a giraffe calf they had killed the previous night. The location of the carcass suggests the pride had been active in the area for some time before pushing toward the reserve boundary.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Giraffe
Sighted on: 07.May.2026
During the morning game drive, we observed a giraffe lifting its head above feeding level, shifting from a relaxed feeding state into a clear state of vigilance. This behaviour is a key survival adaptation.
With its head raised high above the grasslands, the giraffe is able to scan vast distances for predators or the slightest unusual movement. In this elevated position, it can also listen more intently and pick up scents carried by the wind, gathering information about its surroundings. Feeding pauses momentarily as the animal assesses whether the area is safe before calmly returning to browse.
This action often reflects heightened awareness of environmental conditions and can influence nearby animals, which may also become more alert or pause their own activities.
The raised head essentially transforms the giraffe into a living lookout tower, using its height advantage to monitor the landscape before continuing to feed. This behaviour is not only a defensive mechanism, but also a critical multi-functional adaptation linked to its long neck and survival strategy in predator-rich habitats.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Zizie Seitaa
Juvenile Pale Chanting Goshawk
Sighted on: 06.May.2026
We observed a young Goshawk perched stoically on a dry, weathered branch. These raptors are iconic to the Kalahari, and even this juvenile showed the intense focus necessary for scanning the scrub for reptiles or rodents.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Purple Roller
Sighted on: 05.May.2026
A Purple Roller provided a brilliant splash of color, sunning itself atop an acacia. These birds are masters of the "sit and wait" hunting technique, staying perfectly still to regulate their temperature while keeping a sharp eye out for insect prey in the grass.
Content Creator / Photographer:
Mogomotsi Maboga
Lion
Sighted on: 04.May.2026
During the evening game drive, we spent time tracking a lioness as she navigated the sandy terrain of the Kalahari. She was locked into a high-stakes stalk, targeting a herd of impala. Using the local vegetation including thickets of Elephant ear plant to mask her movements, she demonstrated the extreme patience required to hunt in this environment. Ultimately, the impala's keen survival instincts won the day, and they bolted before she could make her final move.
Content Creator / Photographer:
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