January started off with some really comfortable weather conditions as we experienced overcast conditions most of the time - effectively removing the sting from the summer sun. We experienced some much-needed rain too, which further cooled things down and more importantly, rejuvenated the Kalahari landscape.

The excessive vegetation bloom was however limited, as by mid-month there was an outbreak of African armyworms which fed excessively off the new grasses that had just sprouted. These armyworms were seen all over the reserve and around the camp area. This caused the grazing species of antelope to move into areas that were not affected so extensively by the little critters. However, as nature has a way of balancing things out, huge flocks of Abdim's storks arrived and were feeding furiously on these worms and within a week they were all gone.

On the mammalian side, we had good sightings of springbok, blue wildebeest and oryx - often in big congregations along the plains. An amazing record for the month was the small bachelor herds of elephant which were seen on occasion.

On the predatory front, four male cheetah graced us with their presence for a week before disappearing into the vast Kalahari. The Kalahari Plains pride of lions also hung around the camp area for a couple of days. We were lucky to observe a pair mating over a five day period at Big Pan.

The good amounts of rain also attracted some water birds to the area towards the end of the month, with the likes of African jacanas and red-billed teals settling in.

Compiled by Rogers.