December sightings at Xigera

This month, we’ve witnessed many more incredible wildlife sightings at Xigera Safari Lodge. We’re opening our sightings blog with a beautiful image taken by our Safari Guide Oratile Gotshajwang, also known as Des. The shot captures a sundowner in front of a spectacular pink-hued sky, that took place at Xigera at the beginning of December. 

Picture by Oratile Gotshajwang

Early this month, our guide Ikalaheng Mogalakwe, Ike, sighted some impressive lion activity, with the two females and six cubs enjoying a red lechwe kill.

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

The large male lion (pictured below) was a highlight of this sighting.

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

Ike also spotted a male leopard cub at Mokolwane Crossing, lying in a Kigelia africana ‘sausage’ tree, named for its distinctive, long sausage-shaped fruit.  

Picture by Ike Mogalakwe 

This safari also offered an abundance of incredible birdlife following heavy rain.  

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

Giraffes are graceful animals, particularly when photographed against a misty morning backdrop. We have had excellent sightings of giraffes in the Xigera area this month, as observed in the below pictures from our guide, Des.

Pictures by Oratile Gotshajwang

Below, you will see Xigera’s two dominant male lions patrolling their territory. Des heard them calling to each other in the morning and eventually found them on the southern side of the Xigera airstrip. They looked magnificent as they walked over the airstrip pad, roaring as they marked their territory. The lions really gave us a show and we followed them for more than an hour until they retired in front of our guest Suites. 

Pictures by Oratile Gotshajwang

In mid-December, Ike spotted a pack of dogs comprised of five puppies and six adults walking infront of the Xigera Suites, between Suite 2 and Suite 12. We believe this to be part of a larger pack of 20 dogs that have been sighted in previous years, although it is possible that a new pack has moved into the area.

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

Ike also had a nice sighting of Tshameko to the east of the Baobab Treehouse. Below, you will also see a male lion on the far eastern side of Xigera, some red lechwe, a small crocodile and an amur falcon.

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe

The dramatic summer clouds produce an unforgettable landscape at Xigera, as captured by our Safari Guide, Des.

Pictures by Oratile Gotshajwang

On a morning in late December, our Guides finally found closure: confirmation of the large eastern males being the fathers of the six cubs. Ike spotted Sisilia, Mpho, Boitumelo and the cubs feeding on a male red lechwe kill. The large, male lion allowed only the cubs to feed whilst he sat there, ensuring their good table manners. This scene took place on the burnt area to the east of Xigera camp. 

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

Below, are some more pictures of the Xigera pride enjoying an early Christmas feast. 

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe

Late December, rainfall brought plenty more notable sightings from our guide, Ike. Pictured, you can see elephants, wildebeest and their calves, impala lambs, a herd of five buffalos, and three lionesses that were spotted to the east of Xigera airstrip. These lionesses are new to our area, as are the two lionesses and one male lion seen at the north east of camp. This is an impressive variety of sightings for this time of year.  

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe 

On one late December safari, Ike took guests out for an afternoon game drive on their final day at Xigera, following a morning of heavy rainfall. Guests were rewarded with a spectacular series of sightings, as pictured below. 

Pictures by Ike Mogalakwe

Our Lodge Manager Quest Maundo caught up with this relaxed, young male leopard by the Xigera airstrip for a few minutes before he vanished into some tall grasses. This leopard is one of the twins born to Motlalepula, who spent some time in Suite 2 when Xigera was being constructed, to build up their strength as infants. 

Pictures by Quest Maundo

This school of hippos was found by our guide Xani, otherwise known as Tops, on the south western side of the airstrip. With water drying up in all the ponds around the camp, they found this area congregated with an impressive number of hippos. 

Picture by Xani

Tops also took some lovely pictures of a sighting of Boitumelo and her cubs. During this sighting, the group stayed longer to watch the cubs playing, bonding, and learning to improve their hunting skills.

Pictures by Xani

This area is particularly fruitful for Xigera guides, and has been key to almost 85% of their top sightings this year. Tshamiko the leopard was also spotted up a tree. 

Picture by Xani

Finally, we leave you with these memorable images of a recent cheetah sighting, also captured by our Guide, Tops. 

Pictures by Xani

Take a look at our land excursions page for more information on the types of safaris we offer.