02/09/2026
Subject: The Chronicles of Nxai Pan –
From Nxai pan on our ongoing safari expedition allow me to share a vivid reminder of the raw and untamed beauty of nature.
We spent our night serenaded by the majestic roar of lions, the haunting cry of the Kalahari, and the distant calls of jackals. Each morning began with a fresh cup of coffee, accompanied by the comforting ritual of dipping Ouma rusks to soften them—a simple pleasure that perfectly complemented the wild surroundings.
Our curiosity was piqued by the nocturnal sounds, compelling us to uncover the source of the nightly commotion. Determined to find the lions, we embarked on our search at the periphery of Nxai Pan, our eyes scanning the dense woodland intently. Initial efforts bore no fruit, yet just as we contemplated abandoning the quest, we discovered fresh lion tracks imprinted on the soft Kalahari sands, leading steadfastly towards a nearby water hole.
Wasting no time, we followed the tracks to the water's edge, where we observed two lionesses and a cub patiently awaiting their chance to strike a poor jackal trapped in the muddy shallows. Surrounding the scene were herds of thirsty wildebeests, giraffes, and springboks, all wary of the lurking predators as they approached the water.
In a display of both nature’s cruelty and its unforgiving reality, the small jackal, attempting to reach the water, was swiftly chased and killed by the lionesses in the very vicinity where the jackal had become ensnared. Remarkably, the lionesses did not consume their prey. Instead, they moved closer to the edge of the water hole, near the mud-trapped jackal's remains, refraining from entering the thick mud themselves, undoubtedly to avoid the risk of becoming trapped.
We remained patient, observing this haunting tableau, captivated by the unfolding drama. The resilience and rawness of the wildlife around us were profoundly humbling, a stark reminder of the delicate balance and inherent brutality within the natural world.
A few minutes later still here the 2 cruel crows are eating the mud stuck Jackal alive right in front of the lioness!