Kruger National Park

Nyeleti Young Female Leopard

by Adam Bannister 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 [...]

Current composition of the Tsalala Pride

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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…

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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!

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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?

by Rich Laburn 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

by Rich Laburn 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by David Dampier 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Rich Laburn 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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?

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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!

by Rich Laburn 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

by Adam Bannister 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…

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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…

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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!

by Rich Laburn 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

by Adam Bannister 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

by Adam Bannister 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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Breaking News: New Tsalala Pride Arrivals

by Adam Bannister 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 [...]

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Male Leopard Hoists and Leaps with Impala

by Rich Laburn May 30, 2011

The Short Tail male needed to act quickly, hyenas were rife in his territory and his quarry needed to be hoisted. Dragging the carcass to the trunk of a big Marula tree, one swift jump sent him and the limp carcass clawing steadily up the tree. Spectacular to watch, quintessential in meaning and vibrant in excitement, Short tail proceeded to spend the next 5 minutes shifting the carcass around trying to find a suitable branch to begin feeding. Unsatisfied, he once again gripped the carcass in mouth, nearly dropping it, before leaping midway across the established tree to stash the kill on a more open branch. Here he settled down and began to feed…

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New Leopard Cub

by Adam Bannister 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!

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The State of the Sparta Pride

by Adam Bannister 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.

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3 Months of Tsalala Pride Cubs

by Adam Bannister April 29, 2011

All 4 of the Tsalala Cubs are doing exceptionally well and are looking very healthy. For those who are still in the dark…the make up of the cubs is 3 girls and a single boy. Already from a very young age you can see that he is bigger than his sisters. Take a look at this video chronicling the last three months of the beautiful Tsalala Pride Cubs…

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Secret Life of a Serval

by Adam Bannister 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 [...]

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Tsalala Cubs Start Eating Impalas

by Adam Bannister 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 [...]

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Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Means Business!

by Adam Bannister April 1, 2011

The Dudley Riverbank 5:5 Male is becoming a force to be reckoned with. We followed him for over an hour watching him scent mark, urinate, scrape and call numerous times as he proceeded to walk deep into the territory of the Camp Pan Male. By the time he reached Fluffies Pan he had worked himself into a frenzy. Calling for the Camp Pan Male Leopard to come and face his challenge. He was readied for combat…

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Three’s a Crowd – Mating Leopards

by Rich Laburn October 20, 2010

We were heading south towards the Sand River when we spotted the Camp Pan male lying on the causeway. Before we could reach him, Tyson, the dominant male leopard from Marthly, walked straight towards us. Tyson, bleeding from his lip and limping with a gash in his right leg, had clearly been in a fight with Camp Pan. Only when the Vomba female purposefully strutted up behind him did the reason why become clear.

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A Brief History of the Tsalala Pride

by Rich Laburn October 13, 2010

After our previous blog post on The Demise of the Tsalala Pride, former Londolozi Head Ranger, Oliver Sinclair, wrote up a brief history of the Tsalala Pride to fill in the gaps for our readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of this prides history…

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What Everybody Ought to Know About Hyenas

by Rich Laburn October 6, 2010

In the last 4 weeks I have witnessed both the cuter and more aggressive side of the spotted hyena. These misunderstood carnivores are unlike any other animal I have spent time with and provide so many different angles for debate. As we are fortunate enough to get up close with these animals on a daily basis, this is currently what everyone ought to know about hyenas…

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An Elephant Birth for an Elephant Whisperer

by Rich Laburn 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…

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Maxabeni Brothers Chased off Kudu Kill

by Rich Laburn September 20, 2010

About a year ago I filmed the Maxabeni 3:2 young male leopard catch and haul a small duiker up a Marula tree. At one year of age, this sub-adult male leopard was showing the first signs of a hunter. Now at two years of age, this leopard and his brother, the Maxabeni 3:3 young male, have both grown into magnificent male leopards. They move with attitude and act with confidence, until the hyenas arrive that is….

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EXCLUSIVE – New Leopard Cub Caught on Camera

by Rich Laburn September 10, 2010

Serendipity is a funny thing…at once exciting yet at the same time a mystery giving us new opportunities when we weren’t looking for them, it wafts in and out of every individual’s life at one or another time. It is at the heart of Newtonian Theories, the Slinky, Microwave Ovens and Corn flakes. It is the propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated….and there has been a lot of it raining down on Londolozi as of late…

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