November 2025

Pamushana

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Pamushana: November 2025

Always a highlight of November, and something we all look forward to, is the arrival of the first impala lambs. We were delighted to welcome our first impala lamb during the second week of this month.
Notwithstanding the prevailing weather change and summer rains, our game drives have been productive with very good sightings of the different species of mammals. The permanent waterholes of Banyini and Hwata have still been frequented by different crashes of both white and black rhinos, mostly at sunset, making sundowner stops extra special.
With the year coming to an end, we were rewarded by the arrival of the summer migrant birds after the first showers of rain. What a joy it is to welcome these friends back!
A sightings snapshot for November follows:
Lions
  • The River Pride has been seen frequently around the swamps, west of the Chiredzi River, and traversing that area from Ngwenyeni Pan all the way south to Chikwete. We were delighted to see a lioness introduce her three cubs to the rest of the pride, resulting in the total number of lions in the River Pride rising to 16.
  • East of the reserve, the Nduna Pride has been seen often, feeding on zebra and buffalo carcasses.
Leopards
  • An adult female leopard has been seen on numerous occasions in the peripheral area of the lodge. She is becoming more accustomed to the game viewers. Her latest cubs are now weaned, and we spot them mostly within the area along Ultimate Drive, past the big baobab at the bush diner site.
  • We have had sightings of an adult male in the area around 02, on the Malilangwe side. Though shy, he can be viewed if given plenty of distance.
African wild dogs
  • The sightings of the wild dogs this month were fantastic. We had the opportunity to see the big pack which, sadly, has declined from 24 to 15. We observed them on different occasions hunting impala.
Elephants
  • The swamp area across the Chiredzi River has been home to the breeding herds of elephant as they enjoy grazing on the lush vegetation, and browsing in the forest of the umbrella tree woodland.
Buffalo
  • There have been big herds of buffalo drawn to the grazing available within the southern part of the reserve. However, they are stalked by members of the Nduna Pride taking advantage of the weaker bovine members.
Rhinos
  • White rhinos: The open plains of Banyini and Hwata have been the hub for these herbivore species as these are still the best places to drink and mud wallow.
  • Black rhinos: The area around Hwata has been very active with different adult females with calves, as well as bulls, coming to drink just after sunset. They’ve given a couple of mock charges to the game viewers whilst the occupants have been enjoying sundowners!
Spotted hyena
  • The spotted hyenas have been active around the West Valley, Banyini, and Nyari areas. We had the opportunity to see many of them. On one occasion, we watched as they fought with wild dogs over an impala kill.
Brown hyena
  • We had an amazing sighting of a brown hyena on Binya Road near Chikokovele turn-off. It was lying down resting under a tree.
Plains game
  • Mid-mornings have been very rewarding at waterpoints with different herds of zebras, impalas and even majestic-looking sable antelope coming to drink. Driving the river loops has resulted in glimpses of Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.
Birds
  • The summer heat being cooled by the early rains received has resulted in a number of the summer migrants arriving. The reserve is now heaven for these precious feathered species that include broad-billed rollers, woodlands kingfishers, red-chested cuckoos, and red-backed shrikes. The area is alive with their melodies.
  • The permanent water sources have also attracted black egrets, black-backed night herons, osprey and bat hawks.
Photographic hide
  • We had great sightings in the blind of many animals, especially at the beginning of the month. There were huge numbers of plains game, white rhinos and elephants. However, as soon as we received rain, the animals stopped coming to drink in such large numbers.
Rock art
  • Our guests are unfailingly enthralled with visits to the different rock art sites that we have along the sandstone rocks in the reserve.
Walks
  • Nature walks have been quite active with observations of different herbivores. We’ve conducted walks in the open area in the south of the reserve, as well as the rocky outcrops from Chinzwini all the way to Chikwelani.
Boat cruises
  • Sunset boat activities have been very popular with great sightings of herds of elephants swimming in the Nyamasikana River, not very far off from the pod of hippos that are resident opposite the Devil’s Jungle area. There have also been different sightings of black rhino bulls.
Fishing
  • Fishing excursions have brought excitement to our guests with bream fishing being on the top of the list, mostly during the mornings. Predatory tigerfish have kept guests’ adrenaline pumping – a few have been rewarded by hooking and landing some big fish after a good fight.
Kambako Living Museum of Bushcraft
  • We had a few visits to Kambako Living Museum of Bushcraft with our guests. They loved interacting with the community members and learning about their way of life. They demonstrated how to make fire by friction, prepare local dishes, make arrow heads, water divining and basket weaving.
Gonarezhou National Park
  • The Gonarezhou trips were great, featuring sightings of many elephants and plains game. The main attraction is the magnificent Chilojo Cliffs.
By Jenny Hishin
Author / Field Guide