Okavango: Khwai Concession - hyena den, leopard, elephants

This morning we are heading to an area where one of the other trucks saw a leopard last night.

Beautiful sunrise

Cape Buffalo with a Yellow-Billed Oxpecker

Hyena Den

But first, we stop in a small clearing with several holes in the ground, a popular place for Spotted Hyenas. This morning it seems the whole clan is out and about.

The youngsters are very inquisitive, and check out one of the other trucks.

When the cubs start pulling at something underneath the vehicle, Moscow calls out to them for the driver to start his engine in order to scare the youngsters off. This is not the place to have your brake pipe chewed off.

For the next hour or so, the cubs and their mothers delight us with their antics and loving relationships. Sorry, not sorry for an overload of photos.

If the babies are particularly naughty, mum will take them back to the den.

This little guy looks like he has been well and truly chastised

I never knew baby hyenas could be so incredibly cute!

One interesting piece of information about hyenas is that the females have false penises, which are in fact an enlarged clitoris. And yes, they urinate through it, have sex through it, as well as give birth through it. Ouch!

Leopard

Moscow receives a call on the radio to say that the leopard has been tracked down, and we rush off to find her.

Staring straight into a leopard's eyes is unnerving, even at this distance

She sits down

Then stands up again

Sits down...

Sits up...

And back down again

Eventually, we decide to leave – even if the leopard starts to move, there are too many trees around for me to get a good picture.

Breakfast Picnic

Again we join Jenna and Cara who are travelling with Paco in another vehicle from Sango Camp.

Lovely fresh muffins

Cape Teal

We head back to the leopard to see if there is any change, and although she is in exactly the same position, I do get a photo of her from a different angle.

Elephant

We have a close encounter with an elephant, who strolls right by our car.

Golden Tailed Woodpecker

We spend some time following the movements of this woodpecker as he hops around on a dead tree.

Lilac Breasted Roller

Sango Safari Camp

After an incredible morning's safari, we return to the camp for a buffet lunch consisting of quiche, chicken skewers, lentils, salads, cheese, and biscuits. Later, we sit on our balcony and photograph the animals grazing on the riverbank.

Waterbuck, Impala, and Zebra

Waterbuck and Impala

Waterbuck

Warthog

And so it is time for a quick snooze before this afternoon's excitement! Thank you to Undiscovered Destinations for arranging this incredible Great Africa Trip 2024.