Xigera Camp – June 2013
Weather and Landscape
With a hot start to the month having a high of 37° C, it slowly started to cool down as the month continued, resulting in an average high of 27° C for the month.
We did not receive any rainfall this month, but the annual inundation has started to arrive, filling up the waterways and spilling into the floodplains – it will be interesting to see just how high the water levels will be this season.
Wildlife
The elephants are starting to come back into the area and a breeding herd of 45 was seen north of the airstrip. This has to be one of the biggest herds seen in the concession in the last few years. The elephants have also been making regular trips into the camp area and have provided some great viewing from the decks in front of the rooms during siesta time in between activities.
On the predatory side of things, the resident female leopard, Mmadipala, and her daughter have been seen on a regular basis. Another highlight for April was the sighting of a pair of honey badgers just west of the airstrip.
Birds and Birding
The birding this month has been spectacular with a breeding pair of western banded snake -eagles being seen near camp. Down near the Xigera Mokoro Trails Camp a long -crested eagle was seen as well as a Pel’s fishing-owl.
