Mankwe Tented Retreat is thick in the throes of the emerald season, with sheets of rain replenishing the landscape on a regular basis. A recent Facebook post of ours briefly touched on Mankwe’s current sightings, so today we’re going to expand on Yolande’s recent update. From African wild dogs to elephants, awe-inspiring landscapes, and beautiful birds, Mankwe’s summer season is brimming with abundance.
Summer brings with it a different kind of game viewing experience, where verdant landscapes come alive with the flutter and chorus from colourful summer migrant birds. Woodland kingfisher, arrow-marked babbler, paradise flycatcher, and the Kurrichane thrush are just a few of the visitors to Mankwe’s traverse. Yolande managed to photograph a few of the spectacular winged residents lapping up the spoils of the season.
Botswana’s drier winter season is renowned for being the time of year to spot big predators, and prolific game at waterholes. The thinned-out vegetation characterizing the winter season makes it easier to spot wildlife, while summer’s contrasting lush greens provide cover for predators to hide out. This summer, things are different – sightings are still at an all-time high!
The breeding elephant herds are still congregating around waterholes, putting on quite a show for onlookers. Young calves are learning from elders within the herd, and bumbling around the muddy banks of dam, making for entertaining viewing.
Wildlife is still in abundance, moving between overflowing waterholes and dew-laden shrubbery. Although the bushveld is dense, the Mankwe team is still enjoying prolific sightings. The waterhole in front of the camp is a popular year-round place for plains game and pachyderms, while further afield predators roam the roads. While out on game drive, the intrepid team spotted a pack of wild dogs taking the easy route along the road just roaming the extensive Botswana wilderness. The pack was quite habituated to the game viewer, making viewing that much more exciting. These nomadic dogs cover a wide range, and are quite rare to spot. Seeing dogs in the wild is a privilege.
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