July sightings at Xigera

July’s cooler climate has brought forth an array of beautiful moments across the Momeri Game Reserve, blessing us with some exceptional sightings here at Xigera of wildlife and scenery alike. By the end of the month, the floods had reached their peak, and the delta that has swollen over the past few months has continued to call animals from across the plains to gather and refresh from the months lower rainfall.

Photos by Oratile Gotshajwang

Photo by Kaycee

Our herd animals have been particularly enjoying the refreshing oasis of the delta, affording us some incredible sightings of the elephants that thrive here in Botswana. The cooling waters of the flood plains not only afford a cooling reprieve from the heat, but by churning the ground with their trunks, they are also able to reap the benefits of the rich minerals and salts trapped in the soil beneath the delta's waters.

Photos by Oratile Gotshajwang

Photo by Ikalaheng Mogalakwe

The hippos here at Xigera have also been enjoying the cooling benefits of the high flood plains - the water helping them to avoid sun damage to their skin. Whilst hippos are known for having incredibly thick skin, they are also susceptible to sun damage. This makes it common for hippos to spend significant proportions of their day submerged in cool water ways. Thanks to the unique nature of the landscape here at Xigera, and our blend of wetland and grassland, we are often blessed with frequent hippo sightings as remarkable as these.

Photo by Oratile Gotshajwang

Photo by Ikalaheng Mogalakwe

Xigera is a stronghold of the Red Lechwe antelope, and guests on a recent safari got to experience some exceptional moments of one herd as they enjoyed the delta springs. Another boat safari even had the remarkable luck of seeing a Red Lechwe female with her young lamb - an intimate and cherished moment.

Photo by Ikalaheng Mogalakwe

July has also seen a series of sensational moments for guests staying in both our suites and The Baobab Treehouse - a sculptured treehouse that allows for a truly immersive discovery of the Okavango Delta. Of these was the exceptional moment that a male lion awoke our guests with a morning call, passing in front of our suites before proceeding towards The Baobab Treehouse and crossing the channel to the eastern floodplains. It was a rare and spellbinding moment that truly encapsulated the magic of the Momeri Game Reserve.

Photo by Ikalaheng Mogalakwe

Finally, the lions of the Western Pride are continuing to thrive here at Xigera. The recently born cubs are growing in size and curiosity, and have continued to dazzle our guests with their infectious buoyancy. Here we can see the youngest of the pride's nine cubs stretching and exploring the grasslands.

Photos by Oratile Gotshajwang

Late July also posed a truly exciting moment as we crossed more of the Western Pride's cubs at the Mmaditedu crossing having not seen them for some time. Relief ricocheted throughout Xigera and they have been repeatedly seen since safe and jubilant at the den, just south of Mokoro Station.

Photo by Ikalaheng Mogalakwe

Evident from these photos alone, July has offered some incredible moments of discovery and exploration here at Xigera. Supported by our continued conservation efforts and sustainable initiatives, we look forward to another month of fruitful discovery on the plains of the Moremi Game Reserve.