For any Ranger or Tracker, or bush enthusiast that has the privilege to spend many long hours in the bush, on foot or in a vehicle behind the wheel or on the bonnet, the feeling of seeing an animal, any animal, you have never seen before, photographed or spent time with, is one the the most magical feelings. In a massive conservation area, in this case The Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which includes, The Limpopo National Park (Mozambique) and The Kruger National Park (South Africa) and adjoining Private sectors of The Sabi Sands, Manyelethi, Klaserie and Timbavati, the possibility of stumbling across an unknown Leopard, or Lion Pride is great.
In this case however, it was not an unknown pride of Lions, yet, for me it was a first. The Styx Pride. This pride tend to dominate land in the North Eastern section of the Sabi Sands, and have a very small portion of their territory on Londolozi, in our Northern section, Marthly.
Leaving the lodge early in the morning and telling guests about a mission we are about to embark on, not just any drive, one that will see us venturing to the corners of the property, to see who has entered and who has left. Sometimes with just tracks to tell the story of what the night before held, like ghosts in the darkness. It is an unnerving feeling, one that excites me and drives me to explore. One such morning a few days ago, it was an adventure to an area called Gowrie Corner, our North Eastern boundary, for sign of anything out of the ordinary. The results proved worthy of the risk.
Upon approaching the corner, our reserve limits, which sees other private reserves, neighbours, who like Londolozi, have their own land, however not separated by fences, merely a road to tell us our limit, I got a sense of the true wilderness, this area is not often traversed, it is wild, it is open and it is alone. Distant groans, moans, grumbles and snorts, a familiar smell in the passing wind, a light glow of the sun off a dust cloud and a hum of flies. A Buffalo herd, large, no less than 300 strong, approaching the corner, on a daily routine toward a waterhole in the early morning before heading to open lands to graze, the sweet spring grasses.
A herd like this is a force to be reckoned with, and for any large predator, much caution must be enforced, however, there was a feeling in the air, some tension that oozed from the herd, an uneasy feeling as they moved around us. Could there be a Pride following? Could this be my first sighting of the Styx Pride?
As the herd passed and the dust settled, the groans became distant behind us, but what was waiting deeper into our adventure?
Like turning a page in a gripping novel, anxious to read the next page, seeking answers and building the atmosphere, the Styx Pride emerged in the distance, walking on the trail of the Buffalo, a mere kilometre behind. The excitement was difficult to contain and the photographic opportunities were amazing. The colours, the greens, the tawny Lions and the white sandy road allowed us to capture some of this magic to share.
Their approach was so intense.
A deadly stare down as the Lioness catch the tail end of Buffalo herd in the distance.
Time to assess, think and plan an attack.
The males impressed me the most, both around 36 months old now, the first offspring of the current coalition, The Majingilane.
Each Lion took turns to lead the way.
Edging closer to the Buffalo, and unfortunately, closer to the boundary.
Siblings, soon to separate, but for now, together, through thick and thin.
An amazing sighting overall.
As the bush would have it, the Lions crossed onto a neighbouring reserve on the trail of the Buffalo and we were never to know the outcome of their morning, however, like some novels, the story is meant to keep you guessing. What is next? What is to come? Until the next sighting of the Styx Pride on Londolozi.
Written and Photographed by: Mike Sutherland
Great shots again Mike. I think the first offspring of the ‘Majingilane’ are in the Fourways Pride
Great Blog, Great Pictures!!!
Mike–you are so lucky!
Great pictures Mike . I’m curious as to where you were when you shot them ie ground level or in the jeep .
Oh Mike what a pity that you are not all allowed to traverse “each others space”, we would then be able to enjoy the feeling that you gave us so far! Now we wait to turn to the next page for more excitement! Thanks for sharing that tension that the lion’s eyes showed.
Another well written blog post by Mike! Great pics too!
A wonderful account and pictures, want to come back to Londolozi now!
Amazing photos Mike and I love the way you told the story behind them!!
What a lucky day, and great photos! They are a beautiful pride.
I am wondering if you have any knowledge of a male lion who was referred to as Solo. I think he spent some time with the Styx pride and the Roller Coaster Male before he died. I saw him right after he had been expelled from his pride as a young male there at Londolozi and got some good pics. I always wonder what happens to the animals I photograph.
Solo is alive and thriving around the Kirkman’s Camp/Sabi Sabi/Idube area alongside his coalition mate the Eyrefield male, Cleo. If you like their pages you will get to see some great pics of him, he’s huge and beautiful now and looks very much like his mother BB (but with a huge mane lol).
Thanks to Rosie and Mike for the info. Great to hear he is alive and well.
he has his own facebook page
Great images! They look like a gang of young thugs coming into the ‘hood!!
So exciting to read about and see. Great pictures, and such beautiful animals!!! Your heart must have been racing when they appeared!!! Thank-you so much!
Amazingly beautiful and dramatic! Fabulous photos of their eyes!! I love how their paws appear to be dragging the ground. And how the siblings are in perfect unison, like a dance, even their paws:)
I have been following the Styx pride for a few years now. Good to know they are healthy and growing.. The Majingilane coalition, will be giving us some spectacular progeny, I do believe.. Although I still miss the Mopogos.. Thank you for sharing.
I love the Styx pride, they were the pride we saw most on the online safaris that Wildearth used to stream from Djuma. The boys look wonderful, I just wish that they’d been born a bit sooner so that the young Styx male that Gogi brought up, and was on his own, could have had company. Thanks for the pictures of the “Golden Pride” they are still as beautiful as ever !
Beautiful pictures and evocative words illustrating a stunning pride- we will have to return to try and see them ourselves! Keep up the amazing entries-we appreciate your hard work! Overton family.
I think I love reading everyone’s comments as much as reading your blog! The photos are incredible! I just can’t imagine how you got so close to the ground with these shots! Literally, it looks like you were laying on the ground right in front of them! What an impressive pride! And who has their own Facebook page?
So cool….
Seriously, I’m so jealous. Love your blogs and the pics are stunning. Hopefully when I come back to Londolozi I’ll be able to see the Styx pride….. Thanks for posting.