Sand River

The Lion Dynamics after the Flood

January 30, 2012
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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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Africa Exposed

January 25, 2012
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“As a child I had always wanted to visit Africa and go on Safari. To see firsthand the natural bushveld, get up close and personal with the animals and experience the call of the wild. At the end of 2011 a lifelong dream came true when I had the opportunity of going on safari to [...]

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Back with the Pack

September 8, 2011
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It’s always exciting when the wild dogs come through Londolozi. Unpredictable in their movements and able to travel large distances on a daily basis, these rare and enigmatic carnivores grace us with their presence for a day or two and then disappear into the depths of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. A few weeks down the line they re-emerge and provide us with more spectacular viewing, before leaving as suddenly as they arrived. Last week was no exception…

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The Tsalala Super Pride

September 5, 2011
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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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Tsalala Cubs Brave Sand River

August 15, 2011
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We thought we had missed the sighting of a lifetime. 4 wet cubs from the Tsalala Pride lay next to a finished impala carcass, bellies full and eyes closed. They had come south and somehow crossed through the Sand River to eat with the two Tsalala lionesses. It was hard to imagine these young cubs tentatively standing on the banks of the Sand River, dabbing their paws in the flowing water before rushing through to the other side. Yet the cubs had done it, courageous in the face of a challenge and growing up as only lions do. The only disappointment was that we had missed it – or had we…?

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Tutlwa Female’s New Leopard Cub

July 18, 2011
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Last October the Tutlwa 4:3 female leopard gave birth to a single cub. Denned between large granite boulders in a thin tributary close to the Sand River, both cub and mother were elusive and infrequently seen. Months later, the details surrounding the demise of her cub are still a mystery. Spending much of her time [...]

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1926 – Londolozi’s Private Collection Body Range

May 23, 2011
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Londolozi’s new signature body range was inspired by the seasonal bounty of untamed Africa and the sensuous allure of clean running streams. Set deep in the heart of 6 million hectares of wilderness Londolozi Private Game Reserve is a veritable floral hothouse in the rainy season…

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Granite Suites – Not about the Bathroom

May 17, 2011
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Londolozi has once again pushed the boundaries to create an authentic safari experience. A while back the Varty family declared that a true wilderness experience was, “not about the bathroom.” In their view the true essence of safari is the meditative luxury of nature itself and this goes way beyond the bricks and mortar of the lodge. Now they’ve taken themselves quite literally and in the exclusive Private Granite Suites guests will find that when it comes to riverside bathing it is truly not about the bathroom…

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The Price of Majingilane Protection

April 4, 2011
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Without hesitation, the four males went straight for the carcass, pushing aside the lionesses and fighting amongst themselves for scraps. Left with nothing the lionesses lay down leaving the males to feed. Sitting quietly, the pair licked their paws, content in knowing that even though they had lost their kill, they were winning the ongoing lion warfare…

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The Lions – The Majingilane Coalition

March 2, 2011
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The name ‘Majingilane’ was coined with reference to watchmen who patrol the night, marching with intent, never altering their course. The Majingilane Coalition are believed to have originated from the Manyelethi Game Reserve and were part of a pride which had built up a feisty reputation for hunting buffalo. They are now a dominant coalition of male lions that move between Londolozi Game Reserve and other sections of the Sabi Sands…

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A Guide: The Birds of Londolozi

January 4, 2011
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Before I was a game ranger, my impressions of Londolozi were that of a destination renowned for high-profile game viewing. It was only after beginning my guiding career here, that I have discovered it to be a hidden birding treasure as well. Nestled right in the heart of the Lowveld, Londolozi is home to many birds, many of which are quite daunting for guests to begin to understand. As a result I have put together this basic guide of the more noteworthy birds…

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Three’s a Crowd – Mating Leopards

October 20, 2010
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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

October 13, 2010
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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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An Elephant Birth for an Elephant Whisperer

September 30, 2010
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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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Hydropumps – The Next Big Thing?

September 13, 2010
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Nearly all of the articles I read about sustainability are toting ‘The Next Big Thing’. They talk about developments in this technology, challenges in that research and results in others. The sustainability revolution has gained massive traction over the last 4 years, however it has also demonstrated to me how much innovation we still need to create….

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A Tale of Taylors Crossing

February 16, 2010

A giraffe slipped and fell at Taylors Crossing. Over the course of the day this unique sighting drew lions, crocodiles and a rapidly rising river. The outcome was both interesting and unique. Warning: Not for sensitive viewers. To view the full post and video click on the heading.

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