Kruger National Park

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 [...]

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An Update on the Weather at Londolozi and Surrounds

January 18, 2012

Dear Friends, Over the last few days a large amount of bad weather has moved through from the Mozambican Coast covering much of the Kruger National Park in heavy rain. Certain parts of the Kruger have experienced flooding and here at Londolozi the river levels have risen substantially since the beginning of the week. This [...]

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Side-Striped Jackal : Monogamy is still alive

January 10, 2012

In the animal kingdom monogamy is the exception rather than the rule… One of the cutest of all the animals out here in the bushveld is the Side-Striped Jackal; being small and secretive they are often overlooked. They are delicate creatures; light on their feet as they dance through the grass. These animals are a [...]

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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 [...]

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COMING SOON: Majingilane – The Story of Lion Warfare

January 3, 2012

In the next few days, a 15 minute short film on the Majingilane Coalition will be released on the Londolozi Blog. Produced by myself for YOU (the loyal and devoted viewers of the Londolozi blog), as well as all other lion and wildlife enthusiasts around the world – here is a little taster, teaser & [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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, [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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.

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Hyena bites Lioness’ Tail off

November 12, 2011

The last 10 days have provided some fascinating developments for Londolozi’s Tsalala Pride. I need to wind back the clock to the night of the 1 November. That night the 2 sisters managed to kill a zebra in a region that historically is some distance south of their territory. At this stage the Tailless Female [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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. [...]

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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…

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Camp Pan’s Still Got It!

October 17, 2011

It appears as if the Camp Pan Male Leopard has bounced back to his old majestic self. Over the last couple of months he had seemingly been deteriorating after his territory was rudely infiltrated by the much younger Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Male. Camp Pan is is a massive leopard and takes one’s breathe away when [...]

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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 [...]

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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…

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What’s Become of Camp Pan?

September 27, 2011

Since the conflict with the Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Young Male, the Camp Pan 4:2 Male Leopard has been seen less and less frequently. Hanging further south into his territory than usual, this dominant male seems to be getting pushed downwards by both the Marthly Male and the Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Young Male…

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World Rhino Day

September 22, 2011

Today is about celebrating the magnificent Rhinoceros! These incredible creatures who grace us with their presence throughout much of Africa have become synonymous with the battle that they are currently enduring against poaching. A complete lack of respect for wild animals and their well being; the separation of man from beast; the forgetting that we are all connected; that we are all part of the same canvas…

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Majingilane : Face to Face

September 21, 2011

Things are heating up here in the bush, both temperature wise and in terms of lion dynamics. We recently received news that the four Southern Pride Males killed the last Othawa Young Male just west of our boundary. Although this is sad news it was not all that surprising. To be a male lion in the Sabi Sands at the moment is an extremely tough ask! Coalitions in the central and northern Sabi Sands now include the Mapogo, Majingilane, Matimba, Southern and Nkuhumas…

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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…

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The Leopards of Londolozi # 6

September 7, 2011

In light of some of the comments from last week regarding photo settings and techniques, I have taken a slightly different approach to normal. This week have chosen photos, some recent and some older, which illustrate different situations encountered in the field and how to handle them using the setting available on most, if not all, digital SLR cameras. Most of what I have learnt has been either through fellow rangers with more experience, or through my own trial and error. I hope the information helps!

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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..!

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The Tsalala Super Pride

September 5, 2011

The current low water level of the Sand River is allowing the Tsalala Pride to be a little more adventurous in their movements. Spending more time south of the river, they have increased their hunting grounds substantially. As spring envelops us the days are getting hotter and the river is a hive of activity, especially in the mid afternoon as animals come down for a refreshing drink. The Tsalala sisters are well aware of this and are using the river and it’s flood plain as a highway to speed up their movements and increase their chances of a successful hunt…

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Lion Warfare: Tailless Female and the Tsalala Five

September 1, 2011

Rangers, trackers and guests have always had a soft spot for the Tailless Female. Her story is one of bravery and courage. The fact that she has no tail makes her so distinct looking that it is impossible to not recognise her instantly. About twelve moons ago she broke away from the Tsalala sisters, taking with her the 4 surviving youngsters from their 2008/2009 litter. They formed the Breakaway Tsalala 5 Pride and they moved off north and west of Londolozi in an attempt to get away from the onslaught of the Majingilane Coalition.It was sad to see them go but regular updates from neighbouring lodges confirmed their well-being…

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Meet the Blog Team: Talley

August 30, 2011

Talley Smith may be relatively new to Londolozi but she certainly is no novice to the guiding world! Talley has been guiding in the Sabi Sands for 4 years and has a great understanding of the ingredients needed to make a sublime safari. She is without doubt one of the hardest working and dedicated people you will ever meet and wildlife and the photography thereof is her greatest passion…

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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..?

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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…

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The Tsalala Ten

August 9, 2011

The faces in my car were all smiles; the most satisfied and happy silence I have ever experienced. Everyone stared down between the rocks. We had all fallen in love…fallen in love for the delightful scene playing out in front of our very eyes…fallen in love with the Tsalala Ten!

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The Blues of the Bushveld

August 5, 2011

Blue is probably the last colour you think of when you think of the bushveld; especially whilst in the throws of a dry winter! Here are a couple of photographs we have gathered together to show just how beautiful blue is and how wonderfully it can be expressed out here at Londolozi. Enjoy…

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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…

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Safari in Syd Afrika!

August 1, 2011

Johanna Hagman visited Londolozi in January 2011 together with her family, including her grand parents and her cousins. This is an article she wrote for the WWF Panda Magazine in Sweden…

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My friend Solly

July 14, 2011

There is nothing more rewarding in the bush then tracking down ‘your own animal’. The thrill of chase…the ultimate hide and seek. Even if you don’t find the animal, the excitement of searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack is the essence of raw joy! The trackers at Londolozi are superb and this ‘needle’ is often uncovered. We are treated to spectacular sightings and it is thanks to the trackers that you leave here with poster size images of wildlife at it’s best. But there is so much more to the tracker – ranger relationship…

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Nothing is as cute as Wild Dog puppies…

July 12, 2011

Babies of any animal are cute…but not much can beat a baby African Wild Dog, or 7 of them for that matter! Yesterday the much loved wild dog pack came across onto Londolozi and bought with them their precious cargo. We sat enthralled as they played around the vehicles and ran up and down the [...]

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A Massive Journey of Giraffe

July 5, 2011

I love it when nature throws a curve ball! Something that I don’t really understand or can’t fully explain. I had one of these moments this week when I watched a journey of over 40 Giraffe running around a clearing at Londolozi…

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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..!

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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….

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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…

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