About the Author

Amy Attenborough

Alumni

Amy worked at Londolozi from 2014 to 2017, guiding full time before moving into the media department, where her photographic and story-telling skills shone through. Her deep love of all things wild and her spiritual connection to Africa set her writing and guiding ...

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32 Comments

on Tracking the Matimba Males Helped Me Look at the World With a Lot More Possibility

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Mhangeni have been in MalaMala for over a month now. Nothing to do with Majingilanes, they went to look for den sites and better hunting grounds.

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he is right I think they were scouting for potential den sites and the majingilanes only came to investigate due to absence of matimbas

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Hi Amy this is a great piece of writing well done.How many cubs does the mhangeni breakaway pride has ?And how many females have given birth ?And how many are currently pregnant ?

Hi Mishal. To be honest I am not a hundred percent sure and can’t answer these questions accurately. We have been seeing this pride so sporadically and they have been shy with showing there cubs so I don’t think anyone knows yet. We will be sure to keep you updated though..

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Amy, we loved reading this story! Your “let it happen the way it is supposed to happen” attitude is the way to go!

Thank you Michael and Terri. It really does make life SO much more enjoyable hey?! Hope you’re both well 🙂 When will you be back here with us again?

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Beautifully written.

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Thank you for this! I need practice slowing down and allowing what wants to happen. This is a great way to think about it and let it be.

Thank you Lee! Come practice with us here at Londolozi 🙂 I’ve always found nature to be the best teacher!

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New little matimbas. Can’t wait to see them!!!

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The Navajos call it “Walking In Beauty”. When you are in this total focused state of awareness, time seems to stand still and last forever. The present moment occupies your state of being, details seems sharper, you see and hear more, everything slows down, you become totally immersed in your surroundings. It’s completely different than living in the modern fast paced world, instead of time disappearing; it last forever because the memories are so etched on the view screen of your mind. Peace and contentment become hallmarks of your life when you live close to nature. Harmony and balance mark your daily existence. In this state, you are alive more than you ever have been before.

For those who want to explore this topic further, a great read and source of more information is Tom Brown’s “The Grandfather.” Where he details the lessons of an aware life taught to him by his friend Rick’s Apache grandfather. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Grandfather-Native-Americans-Lifelong-Harmony/dp/042518174X

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Bruce, I had the pleasure of reading this book before coming to Londolozi last May. The book held so many beautiful teachings and stories. In these days I visit my Seattle Spa and as I open my arms underneath the chilly cascade of waterfall, I remember the Grandfather and his communion with our natural world, the desert, the trees or the waterfall and share his deep gratitude for these things and all that they embody and teach. So glad this book is out there.

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Diana, yes, Tom Brown’s books are incredible. I have read them all. I must have read the “Grandfather” at least four times over the years, the first time in the early 1990’s when it first came out. It’s my favorite. I am glad you took a lot of its principles into your heart.

I have a couple of stories on my blog, “My Love Affair with a Londolozi Leopard, Ubuntu, the Soul of the Elephant, that you might enjoy reading. (www.dreamcatcherimages.net).

Also, you might want to check out “The Forest People” by Colin Turnbull, where he documents the stories and lives of the Bambuti People of Central Africa. It’s a classic on the culture of the hunter-gatherer people. A truly egalitarian culture that practices conservation by not allowing hunting in the center of the rain forest, or facing the wrath of the “molimo”.

I am also a big fan of Wilbur Smith, especially when he is describing African wildlife. “The Burning Shore” is my favorite, I have re-read the passage of the young French Girl with the old Bushman Couple traveling through the Kalahari Sands at least fifty times.

Enjoy your waterfall, be humble, and practice “awareness”.

Hi Bruce. Thank you so much for the link. I’ll definitely give it a read. “Walking in beauty”- I love that!

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Amazing…

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Amy, many thanks to you for your beautifully articulated article. I too, have been softening my gaze, calming down, and looking around to notice this beautiful planet. Following the tracks in this way, we open ourselves up to the infinite intelligence all around us. My heart softens to know you are there, seeing and sharing Londolozi as you do.

Thank you Diana! We are totally on the same page. And it softens my heart to know that you’re out there, seeing and sharing this infinite intelligence with the people around you.

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As an African living in Australia, this blog (with it’s stunning photos and beautiful words) seems to close the gap a little and genuinely feeds the soul!

That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you Stuart!

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Hi Amy! A wonderful read. I was just wondering the last “Lion Update” was on “August 20, 2016”. Please guide if there are any posts regarding the lions which I am missing.

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Amy this is such beautiful message and such great teachings from nature. I have found that practicing listening and breathing helps bring me back to presence and open myself up to the infinite possibilities and opportunities of life.

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Beautifully written Amy and stunning images! It’s amazing how life’s opportunities seem to come to you when you are least looking — so just breathe and take it all in.

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Hi Amy, Mhangeni Breakaway cubs are not fathered by Majongilanes and the original Mhangeni cubs were all not all sired by Majingilanes either, 7/8 of them are Matimbas offsprings.

Hi Roberto. Yes you are right in that the Mhangeni breakaway cubs are not fathered by the Majingilanes but we believe that the the original Mhangeni cubs are fathered by the Majingilane. Interested as to where you got your information?

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Everyone on social media comments so. I think Singita guides can better help you. I heard them saying on their facebook page a couple of times. They said both coalitions did the mating. And they only recorded sightings of two Mhangeni females mating with two Majingilane when they already showed signs of pregnancy and think most of the mating was done by the coalition to the east… Because the Mhangeni are of nomadic nature and their territory and den sites did not fall into Matimba territory. They stayed in west in Majingilane established territory. And the Majigilane thinks they sired the cubs.

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I forgot to mention, they also said the dark maned matimba was seen mating with Mhangeni (original) females on three occasions in singita. And recorded one mating session of light maned matimba.

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Hi Amy, just read from MalaMala that a big fight has happened between Matshapiri and Matimba. Do you have any update about it?

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Amy, this was my favorite blog yet! I couldn’t wait to see who wrote it and was not surprised that it was you. So insightful and inspiring. I copied some of your words down in my logbook. Happy Tracking.

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Thank you all the way from New Zealand ,I feel I am at home when I read you stories. Keep up the good work and just send more. And more. And all your up dates. Thank you Francis

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Amy, happy to read that the Tailess Tsalala has been seen mating with a Matimba. She is one of my favorite lionesses and always liked the Matimbas as well. Any idea which Matimba mated with her?

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Beautiful, Amy

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