January 2026

Pamushana

Share:

Pamushana: January 2026

Every game drive in the wild holds the promise of a new encounter. Whether it’s the flick of a leopard’s tail vanishing into the brush, the distant call of a ground hornbill, or fresh spoor on a dusty path each sign is a story waiting to be told.
This journal is a record of such moments: detailed sightings of species observed in their natural habitats, here in the Lowveld of Zimbabwe. It captures not just what was seen, but where, when, and under what conditions building a deeper understanding of wildlife patterns, behaviours, and seasonal changes.
Guiding in this landscape teaches humility, often it’s not the big predators that leave the strongest impression, but the quiet movements of lesser-known creatures, the calls at dawn, or a track pressed into morning sand.
A sightings snapshot for January follows:
Lions
  • The Nduna Pride has successfully brought down large male buffaloes on three separate occasions.
  • The River Pride has been seen on nearly every game drive. One pair from this pride has also been mating recently, so we may be expecting new cubs soon.
Leopards
  • Leopards have been frequently seen in the surrounding hills near Pamushana Lodge, with three consecutive sightings recorded in the area. The first was of a mother with a cub, followed by two separate males on different occasions. Leopards are among the most difficult animals to locate and are generally shy, but in these cases, all individuals were relaxed and calm.
African wild dogs
  • This month, the sightings of a pack of wild dogs around the Nyari area have been nothing short of spectacular. We have frequently caught glimpses of the pack as they chase impalas, showcasing their remarkable hunting skills and teamwork. The number of wild dogs in the pack has decreased to thirteen. Each sighting is critical not only for appreciating the beauty of these animals but also for understanding the pressures they face in their natural environment.
Elephants
  • Chiredzi River and Sosiji Dam have been popular spots for elephants. The Chiredzi River is especially favoured because of the abundance of Vachellia tortilis trees, which elephants feed on heavily.
Buffalo
  • Three large herds of buffaloes have been seen on separate occasions grazing and drinking at the Hwata waterhole. All buffalo observed appeared to be in excellent health, with every sighting showing strong, well-conditioned animals.
Rhinos
  • The recent rains did not change movement patterns of the white rhinos. We have frequently found them wallowing in puddles to cool down and to get rid of blood-sucking insects.
  • Black rhinos were often seen in the bushes adjacent to open grasslands. With the entire area now thick and lush, there is no need for them to venture deep into the bush. We recorded several good sightings of black rhinos.
Hyenas
  • These bold survivors have on several occasions been seen at the tail-end of the African wild dog pack, either singly, in pairs, or the whole clan, as they try to out-muscle and out-manoeuvre the dogs for their kills.
Plains game
  • The surge in sightings of plains game around Nyari, Banyini and Hwata can be attributed to a natural phenomenon where animals concentrate in more open areas as the surrounding vegetation becomes more dense. This behavioural shift highlights several important ecological trends. As the bush and grasses grow, visibility and accessibility for grazers diminishes, therefore they favour open areas where they can graze more easily and keep a lookout for predators. Open areas provide better access to nutrient-rich grasses, making them more attractive feeding grounds. Thicker bushes can provide cover for predators, prompting prey animals to move to more open habitats where they can better detect potential threats.
Birds
  • The intra-African migrant carmine bee-eaters have now vacated their breeding sites after fledging their chicks and are frequently seen hawking insects disturbed by passing vehicles.
  • Other notable sightings include black coucals, purple herons, African crake, long-crested eagle and yellow-throated longclaw. The vibrant woodland kingfishers have also become more vocal, particularly within the woodlands along the Chiredzi River.
Rare sightings
  • During a sunset drive along Ultimate Drive on a rainy afternoon we spotted a lone, low-slung shape on the road. Utilising the open space of the road ahead of the game viewer it appeared like a small rock moving slowly, but as the vehicle drew closer the distinct white-grey mantle on its back became unmistakable. It was a honey badger!
Rock art
  • Our guests have enjoyed exploring the various rock art sites. Each piece of rock art tells a story, revealing the cultural and historical significance of the area.
Fishing
  • Fishing this month has been exceptionally good! The dam has received a lot of debris washed in by running water, and the rising water level has begun to submerge the grass surrounding, providing plenty of food for fish.
  • Mozambique tilapia have been biting more along the edges, while tigerfish have been active among the dead trees standing in the water. One guest even landed a 4.2 kilograms tigerfish, which put up a thrilling fight.
By Jenny Hishin
Author / Field Guide