African Safari

Why do Zebras have Stripes?

February 6, 2012

I love collective nouns… A murder of crows, a cloud of bats, a confusion of guinea fowl, a mischief of mice, a prickle of porcupines, a bloat of hippos, a gulp of swallows and my all time favourite a dazzle of zebra. So what exactly ‘does’ the dazzling ? The key with zebra is to [...]

The Lion Dynamics after the Flood

January 30, 2012

After a lengthy break from the bush it is wonderful to be back. I have returned to a very different landscape having missed the monumental floods nearly two weeks ago. I drove around yesterday and am simply amazed by how the area along the river has changed so dramatically. Over the next few days whilst [...]

Read the full article → 18 comments

Animal Spirit Guide : African Elephant

January 7, 2012

Some of you may be aware of Dr Steven Farmer,the shamanic practitioner, psychotherapist and professional healer. Through his numerous texts and talks he aims to facilitate and inspire a deeper awareness and appreciation for our relationship with Spirit and the natural world. He speaks a lot about the use of Animal Spirit Guides. They show [...]

Read the full article → 13 comments

Tsalala Lion Cub killed by Majingilane Male Lions

December 29, 2011

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of yet another loss to the Tsalala Pride. On the evening of the 26th December 2011 the Majingilanes were on a rampage. All four of them had grouped together and when a distant call of the Tsalala Pride could be heard it was a [...]

Read the full article → 27 comments

On Safari with a Fisheye Lens

December 26, 2011

I must start off by wishing you all a Merry Christmas. I trust that you had a wonderful day and that you were surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. As a wildlife photography fanatic I am continually seeking new ways to shoot and portray images in nature. One quite exciting idea that I have [...]

Read the full article → 3 comments

Unusual Nyala Colour morph

December 22, 2011

The Nyala is one of the most beautiful antelope you will see at Londolozi. What stands out with the Nyala is the extreme sexual dimorphism, with the two sexes looking completely different. You could even be excused for thinking that they are two different animals entirely. Both sexes have a white chevron between the eyes, [...]

Read the full article → 17 comments

Four Majingilane Males together with Sparta Pride cubs

December 20, 2011

As mentioned a short while back the Sparta Pride appears to be on the mend. The one lioness has two cubs that are thought to have been born around September this year…they are incredibly cute. They play around with not a care in the world, oblivious to the chaos that surrounds them. Two days ago [...]

Read the full article → 28 comments

Rangers and Trackers Teambuilding

December 19, 2011

The Rangers and Trackers were randomly divided into two teams; these teams would compete against each other in the inaugural ‘Boerewors Week‘. A week set aside in the busy calendar year to strengthen partnerships, morale, improve skills, increase banter and have great fun amongst work colleagues. All done to shape this already superb field guiding [...]

Read the full article → 2 comments

The Hyenas vs the Leopards

December 15, 2011

In mid December each year a Soccer match is played as a curtain raiser to the Staff Christmas Party. The well know Londolozi Leopards; our very own established football team consisting of butlers, gardeners, and trackers take on the make-shift team nicknamed the Londolozi Hyenas… to call the Hyenas a Soccer/Football team is a huge [...]

Read the full article → 2 comments

5 month old lion cub survives 5 weeks alone!

December 12, 2011

This is a story so unbelievable that only Nature could have the creativity and courage to let it play out. This is a story that shows the fighting spirit, resilience and the complexity of Africa’s most revered mammal…the Lion. The star of the show is a member of the Tsalala Pride. This time, however, the [...]

Read the full article → 81 comments

Impala and Wildebeest Babies

December 7, 2011

This is one of my favourite times of the year to be in the lowveld…the lush green grass, dry heat, late afternoon thunderstorms and most of all the babies…Impala and Wildebeest newly borns running around the bush make for a magical season of joy and festivity. I trust you will enjoy this very small collection [...]

Read the full article → 6 comments

New Lion Cubs at Londolozi

December 5, 2011

It is with much excitement that we can confirm that there are two new additions to the Lions of Londolozi. In the last 3 weeks we have started seeing two cubs belonging to one of the Sparta Pride lionesses. Although we can not be completely sure as to a date of birth we speculate it [...]

Read the full article → 21 comments

Jerry Hambana gets into photography!

December 2, 2011

The photography bug really has taken hold of everyone here at Londolozi. Here we feature something a little bit different from pictures taken by our talented guiding team. Instead we show off some of the work taken by our newest up and coming photographer…one of our most talented trackers Jerry Hambana…

Read the full article → 11 comments

Nyeleti Young Female Leopard

November 22, 2011

One has to page through the Londolozi sightings book all the way back to 13 March 2011 so as to find the last confirmed sighting of the Nyeleti 4:4 Female… since then she has all but disappeared. Now we as Rangers are very hesitant to declare an animal as dead but one has to think [...]

Read the full article → 4 comments

Current composition of the Tsalala Pride

November 21, 2011

After a difficult couple of weeks for this pride they at long last managed to make a substantial kill, pulling down a large Buffalo cow not far from the Londolozi Camps. It was an absolute delight to see these lions with fat bellies after what can only be described as a nightmare period in their [...]

Read the full article → 6 comments

Impala Birthing Season Approaches

November 14, 2011

Many scientists, taxonomists and experts in the evolutionary field consider the Impala the archetypical antelope; with it’s body form bearing resemblance to many other bovids. A hugely successful antelope remaining almost unchanged since the Miocene (6.5 million years). One stratergy, amongst many, which the Impala uses is to breed on masse at a very specific time of the year.

Read the full article → 4 comments

Leopards, Lions, Hyenas and Tree Climbing

November 7, 2011

What goes up must come down… The one thing I love about Leopards is that they can climb trees: and they make it look so easy. I have always loved to climb but I have certainly never managed the grace and agility of these spotted cats. When I’m up in a tree I feel free [...]

Read the full article → 3 comments

Wild Dogs and Wild Beasts

November 1, 2011

The khoikhoi called them “Gnou” after their unusual sound; the Afrikaners called them Wildebeest, or “Wild Beast,” for the menacing appearance presented by its large head, shaggy mane, pointed beard, and sharp, curved horns. They roam over much of the African grasslands, open plains and dry woodlands. Here at Londolozi they are a characteristic species [...]

Read the full article → 9 comments

Tailless Female is Mating…

October 29, 2011

Big news from Londolozi in terms of the lion dynamics is that in the last week the much loved Tailless Female of the Tsalala Pride has been seen a number of times with her 2 daughters and their cubs. There was even a special moment the other night when the 3 adults moved off and [...]

Read the full article → 9 comments

Why the Giraffe has a Short Neck

October 24, 2011

The idea that the Giraffe got it’s long neck due to food shortages in the lower reaches of trees seems like a no brainer. The Giraffe is taller than all other mammals and so can feed on the leaves that no other animal can reach. For this reason it’s neck has grown longer and longer. [...]

Read the full article → 5 comments

Tsalala Pride Steal Leopard kill

October 20, 2011

The Tsalala Pride never ceases to amaze! Following them move through the Sand River the other day the adult lioness with the older 4 cubs suddenly accelerated and ran forward. In seconds she scrambled up the main trunk of a large Weeping Boer Bean. It was anything but elegant! Hesitantly she began to scale the tree’s upper branches…she had found the remains of a young male bushbuck that had been hoisted by what we thought was a female leopard. Immediately she started feeding before the remaining pride members had even registered what was happening. The position of the kill was exceptionally difficult for a large lioness to maneuver around…I was sure that she would just try dislodge the kill and then feed on the more conventional terra firma. I was wrong…

Read the full article → 4 comments

Tsalala 8 Reunited

October 10, 2011

It played out like a scene from a Walt Disney movie…the Lion King has nothing on the current drama that is unfolding for the beloved Tsalala Pride. Tragic events in the last few days whittled them down to 8 and then a Majingilane moment of madness threw yet another spanner in the works. The Tsalala [...]

Read the full article → 12 comments

Tsalala Lion Cubs Killed

October 5, 2011

It was with great sadness upon my return to Londolozi from a short break that I found out some bad news. The Tsalala sisters have a pride of ever-growing youngsters and hungry mouths to feed. A couple of weeks ago I started exploring their hunting techniques around the river bed, touching on how they would need to start hunting larger prey to satisfy the increasing demand of the cubs. Last week they paid the ultimate price…

Read the full article → 11 comments

Elephants chase Mating Lions

September 12, 2011

There is definitely a fun side to the bushveld. Sometimes you just need to watch animals and their outrageous behaviour to bring a smile to your face…they lighten up your day! I had one of those moments that appeared out of nowhere…

Read the full article → 8 comments

Hunting Antelope with the Vomba Female

September 6, 2011

A herd of about 30 impala were drinking at Taylor’s Dam; it had been a hot day and they needed to quench their thirst. They had braved the crocodiles and had moved towards the watering hole. The Vomba Female Leopard maneuvered to perfection. She acted quickly and silently. From our vantage point on the vehicle we could see her plan…she used the long grass as cover and was aiming to chase the herd down the dam wall towards the water…they would be trapped. Her body lowered, belly nearly dragging on the ground. She moved like lightning. We hardly dared to breathe..!

Read the full article → 9 comments

Is the Nottens Female too old to mate?

August 29, 2011

Rangers and trackers search game paths hoping to see the tell-tale track of Nottens; finding her is like hitting the jackpot.The question is…at her old age will we see her have one last litter before her days are up..?

Read the full article → 10 comments

Lion Warfare: Majingilanes mating with Sparta Lionesses

August 18, 2011

For the last year the Sparta Pride have been on the back foot continually running away and avoiding any conflict with the four Majingilane Males. Seldomly seen venturing near their traditional hunting fields of the past in fear that they will be met by a show of force! That has all now changed…

Read the full article → 7 comments

Lion Warfare : Countdown to bloodshed

August 4, 2011

The stage is now set for the “Battle of The Sands”. Potentially an epic clash that will see two Male Lion coalitions face off against each other is on the cards…the prize…dominance, territory, access to prides and females and ultimately fathering offspring and the spreading of a gene line…

Read the full article → 11 comments

Majingilane Coalition: One Year Down the Lion

June 30, 2011

It was a cold July morning and they were all balled up in a mass of tawny hair underneath the glorious Ximpalapala Koppie. At that stage they looked calm and peaceful; I had no idea of the fury that they would spin over the next 12 months as they swept through the northern Sabi Sands in a quest for total pride domination..!

Read the full article → 26 comments

Wild Dogs Moving Closer…

June 27, 2011

It is with great excitement that we have learned that a pack of Wild Dogs is currently denning not too far west of our boundary at the moment. Initially the pack settled for a termite mound in the far western sector of the Sabi Sands meaning that for months they were relatively immobile moving only short distances from their den-site. But as the pups are growing older so they are more capable of moving further distances…

Read the full article → 10 comments

Lion Warfare: Styx Pride at Londolozi

June 26, 2011

I can’t remember when a portion of the Styx Pride was last seen at Londolozi. It certainly has not been this year…

Read the full article → 10 comments

Cheetah Hunts and Kills Impala

June 21, 2011

The Butlers at Varty Camp heard the alarm calls on the clearing opposite the deck; next thing they saw impala running in all directions. Something was amiss. They got on the radio and put out a message on the airwaves about what they had seen and heard. Lady luck shone down on me as I was a mere 2 minutes away…

Read the full article → 3 comments

Dudley 5:5 Male – Back in Action!

June 13, 2011

Still licking his wounds from an epic battle with Camp Pan no more than 3 weeks ago, the Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Male appears to be well on the mend. His neck and face still bears evidence in the forms of cuts and scars but at the end of the day success, in leopard speak, is judged by the territory you occupy and the females you mate with. So far so good for the 5:5 Male! He is currently strutting his stuff in the eastern sections of Londolozi and mating with the Vomba 3:2 Female…

Read the full article → 12 comments

Buffalo Attacked by Lionesses – Escapes Death

June 8, 2011

It was as if they were gladiators fighting in an arena. A moment of raw African Magic happening right in front of us! The spectators sat transfixed; from start to finish they starred, a medley of emotions… joy, shock, horror, awe, love and hate. The whole event will remain embedded in the memories of those fortunate few who got to witness the battle. WARNING: Not for sensitive viewers….

Read the full article → 15 comments

Sparta Lionesses Fight Majingilanes for Giraffe Kill

June 1, 2011

The kill was made around midday; the sound of the two lionesses bringing down the sub-adult giraffe could be heard from Pioneer Camp. Immediately the two Breakaway Sparta Pride Females began to feed. They knew all to well that the Majingilane males were in the area and it was only a matter of time before they arrived on the scene…

Read the full article → 7 comments

Breaking News: New Tsalala Pride Arrivals

May 31, 2011

It is with great excitement that I can tell you that this morning on drive we heard what can only be new lion cub/s. Last night the two Tsalala Pride Females were seen with the 4 youngsters on the remainder of an impala. Rangers noted that the one female looked extremely pregnant. When we followed [...]

Read the full article → 13 comments

New Leopard Cub

May 4, 2011

The Watcheche Female has a new cub, hidden away in the southern parts of Londolozi. An exceptional spot by Tracker Mike Sithole led us straight to this golden leopard sitting high up in a Marula tree. Suddenly a little head popped out through the grass and came bounding to mom… A new addition to the Leopards of Londolozi!

Read the full article → 11 comments

The State of the Sparta Pride

May 1, 2011

The Sparta Pride have been through a rough ride. Their numbers are continually changing as they continue to get chased about by various other lions. Here is footage of the current composition of the pride as they move around the region of the Mxabeni River.

Read the full article → 17 comments

Secret Life of a Serval

April 20, 2011

At Londolozi we are blessed with incredible big 5 sightings. One thing we don’t see very often are Serval! We had just witnessed a phenomenal lion hunt and were on our way back to camp, delighted at the evening’s sighting. All of a sudden out of nowhere a Serval leapt 4 feet into the air [...]

Read the full article → 3 comments

Majingilane Meets the Tsalala Cubs – Gets Attacked

April 18, 2011

They were in the middle of a game a tug-of-war with a piece of impala skin when their mother gave them a faint grunt. They immediately knew what it meant…trouble was brewing and they dare not question her instruction. The 4 Tsalala Pride cubs scattered into the thicket running for safety. Playtime was over….

Read the full article → 5 comments

Tsalala Cubs Start Eating Impalas

April 15, 2011

The two Tsalala Pride Females are completely in control of things at the moment! In the last 4 days they seem to have set up camp at Nanga Pan; using it as a base to stash away their thriving 4 cubs whilst picking off poor unsuspecting Impala who wander down for a drink. Yesterday we [...]

Read the full article → 2 comments

No Love Lost: Nyelethi Update

November 22, 2010

The remains of a young impala ram were hooked over a branch in the Jackalberry tree. As we looked up the guests gasped in unison at the realization that we had stumbled upon a leopard kill. Only when the Crested Francolins began alarming and the small Nyelethi young female leopard walk down the game trail did my heart started to beat with excitement! Having earlier seen male leopard tracks in the vicinity I now knew there were possibly two leopards in the area…

Read the full article → 3 comments

How To Compose Symphonic Wildlife Photographs

October 22, 2010

Let me save you a lot of trouble in trying to get good photographs by providing you with a simple outline of how to compose your pictures so that they consistently look great. You will be surprised how these little tricks can hugely improve your photographs and give them a professional edge.

Read the full article → 2 comments

An Elephant Birth for an Elephant Whisperer

September 30, 2010

Martha Beck must have a strange attraction for elephants. The last time she was at Londolozi she had an interesting conversation with our ‘resident’ bull (Nightshift) and this time around she watched an elephant cow give birth in the Sand River right beneath her room. Whatever this attraction is, we don’t mind as it allows us to gain greater insight into the lives of elephants and enhance our already respectful relationships with them…

Read the full article → 3 comments

The First of the Spring Babies

October 16, 2009

The big eyes made me stop momentarily. I took a pace back and stared inside the thicket. In between streams of dappled sunlight, those two innocent ovals peered back at me with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. They disappeared as the mother of the young infantile vervet monkey clutched him tightly to her chest.

Read the full article → 3 comments

Female Leopard Hunts Massive African Rock Python

September 26, 2009

Vomba’s curiosity could not be denied. With typical catlike inquisition she padded her way towards the python. She was not afraid, rather cocky and sure of herself, as if she just wanted to toy with the reptile for fun. Moving swiftly now, Vomba reached inside the thicket and sunk her claws into the pythons wide body. There was plenty of skin to grab as the snake reacted with fright to the sudden aggression and now found itself being dragged out into the open. Turning to face its assailant, the serpentine head emerged to the left of Vomba ready to attack.

Read the full article → 6 comments

Londolozi Guests Donate Toys to Maggie’s School

September 20, 2009

Maggie Mnisi, who works in Londolozi Living, has been actively involved in running a nursery school for the children in her community over the last two years. Rhandzami School (which means ‘To Love’) is situated in the Seville community and is aided by the work and effort of a few community members, in particular Judith Mahanke the school’s headmistress. The school is a significant project which is part of a longer term plan to move into proper facilities with trained teachers to educate the young learners.

Read the full article → 3 comments

First ever footage of the Dudley Riverbank Female Leopard and Cub

September 4, 2009

The Dudley Riverbank Female and her one cub was caught on video for the first time this last week. Adam Bannister and James Siwela found the leopards in the south-eastern corner of the reserve and managed to get a shot of the female with her cub.

Read the full article → 2 comments

African Safari

Search the Stories

Enter Email To Subscribe

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Join the Discussion

Write a Review

Archives

Affiliations