Dust, density and drama: Zimbabwe, a predator’s paradise

In places like Mana Pools and Hwange, the winter months of May to September are considered peak season. Little to no rainfall, mild daytime temperatures and favourable game viewing conditions due to the thinned-out winter vegetation come together to make these months prime safari season.

Especially in years of below-average rainfall, rivers dwindle, waterholes shrink, and the once-lush vegetation becomes sparse as the availability of water reduces across the landscape. 

Conditions in October and November offer especially exceptional game viewing. Herbivores – on which many predators rely – are forced to concentrate around the remaining water sources. This shift puts predators and scavengers at an advantageous position, and makes for intense game viewing. 

As vegetation dries out and thins, herbivores lose much of the natural cover that would normally allow them to evade predators. Without dense foliage to hide in, prey species become more visible and easier to track. As grass and leaves dry out, the nutritional quality of the remaining vegetation declines, leading to weaker prey. Many herbivores lose condition during these months, becoming malnourished, which significantly decreases their ability to outrun predators.

“There is always a water supply, contrary to the common misconception that there might not be. And then, with the lessening of food for the grazers and browsers, certain species thrive for a moment. However, as soon as the seasonal weather changes, the balance shifts back largely to the prey species", says Graham Simmonds, Zambezi Camp Operations & Trade Manager.

In both Hwange and Mana Pools, large mammals must travel longer distances to reach water, leaving them vulnerable to ambush. Lions and leopards use this to their advantage, and even highly mobile species like African wild dogs take advantage of these predictable movements, often waiting near waterholes for prey to arrive.

“People often ask if it is a hard time to witness”, says Graham. 

“Whilst climate is harsh on the animals, it does allow the natural balance of the ecosystem to play out and assist certain species while others take a back seat to the elements”, explains Graham.

The concentration of prey means that predator species also find themselves in closer proximity. This creates opportunities for some thrilling and dramatic interspecies interactions; in Hwange lion prides sometimes come into contact with packs of wild dogs or leopards, competing for food. It’s a tense rivalry, but a fascinating showcase of the complex and competitive relationships within the predator hierarchy.

While predators take the lead in hunting, scavengers like vultures benefit from the increased number of carcasses that result from both predation and natural deaths during the dry season. Vultures play a crucial and often underrated role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, ensuring that the remains of dead animals do not lead to the spread of disease.

With the rise in successful hunts and weakened animals dying from thirst or malnutrition, vultures find no shortage of food. Species such as white-backed and lappet-faced vultures are often seen circling over carcasses, which they locate with their remarkably sharp eyesight. The abundance of carcasses provides them with a reliable food source, especially during the dry season, when fresh kills are more frequent.

Interestingly, vultures often form a symbiotic relationship with predators. After making a kill and eating their fill, lions and hyenas leave remains behind for vultures, perfectly adapted for scavenging, to swoop in to clean up what’s left. In some cases, vultures also alert predators to potential prey by circling weak or injured animals, effectively guiding lions or wild dogs to their next meal.

The importance of vultures to the ecosystem cannot be overstated. By consuming carrion, they prevent the spread of diseases like anthrax or botulism, which can spread through carcasses left to decompose in the heat. This role is vital during the early summer season before the rain falls, when temperatures soar, and the risk of disease outbreaks increases.

While both Mana Pools and Hwange share similar environmental pressures their landscapes and wildlife populations offer unique experiences for safari-goers.

Mana Pools, with its majestic Zambezi River and famous floodplains, offers an exquisite backdrop to peak-season wildlife interactions. As the season progresses, the river becomes one of the last remaining water sources, attracting an array of animals. Predators like lions and leopards use the open terrain to their advantage, stalking prey as they come to drink. The park is also famous for its packs of African wild dogs, which can be seen hunting in broad daylight.

Elephants are another key attraction here. During the winter months in the southern hemisphere, certain elephants in Mana Pools have learned to stand on their hind legs to reach the highest branches of the albida trees. While this behaviour draws attention, they also highlight how much the animals must adapt to the harsh conditions. For predators, the desperation of their prey only improves their chances of success.

Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, faces more extreme conditions in times of low rainfall. Unlike Mana Pools, where the Zambezi provides a consistent water source, Hwange’s animals are dependent on man-made waterholes. These artificial oases attract vast numbers of wildlife, making them prime hunting grounds for predators. Lions dominate here, but wild dogs and hyenas also benefit from the abundance of prey around these waterholes.

Located on a 38,000-hectare private concession in the south-east of Hwange National Park, Wilderness has three camps – Davison's, Little Makalolo, and Linkwasha. With no flowing rivers in the concession Wilderness pumps 14 waterholes that provide life-giving water to the wildlife which is much needed during these drier winter months. The waterholes draw on a number of boreholes and are pumped using a combination of diesel and solar powered water pumps.

Positioned on the edge of Hwange National Park’s productive Ngamo Plains, Wilderness Linkwasha is situated in an area renowned for some of the best year-round game viewing in Zimbabwe. In the winter months, wildlife gathers in abundance at the many Wilderness-supported waterholes throughout the park and in summer, the plains pulse with renewed life. 

As the first rains of the season fall, the transformation in Mana Pools and Hwange is nothing short of miraculous. The once-dry landscapes burst back in to life, with the grass turning lush and green, providing a much-needed feast for herbivores. Impalas, in particular, take advantage of the abundance by dropping their lambs, giving birth to the next generation of their species. The arrival of the rains also coincides with the return of summer migrant bird species, such as carmine bee-eaters and woodland kingfishers, adding vibrant flashes of colour to the now flourishing environment. While the dry season is a time for predators and scavengers to thrive, the rains signal a renewal, bringing a brief but vital period of growth and regeneration to these iconic parks.

Understanding these seasonal dynamics enhances the safari experience. A season of scarcity for some, becomes a season of plenty for others, and by appreciating the complex relationships between predators, prey, and scavengers, guests come away with a deeper connection to the landscapes and wildlife of Southern Africa.