A fabulous few days from the 6th to 9th January.
With thanks to Tally and Freddy, some excellent sightings and the chance to take some great pictures – helped too by hiring equipment from Kate at the Londolozi Photographic Studio, including the Nikon 200-400 to add to my own D810.
At this time of the year the birdlife is not only colourful but also in abundance. My favourite image is of the glossy starling that snapped up some poor frog’s legs for breakfast! Bee-eaters were also regularly sighted, adding to the colour of the reserve at this time of year.
A glossy starling has a successful catch!
Striking feathers
White-fronted bee-eater
Southern red-billed horn bill
Village weaver
Woodland Kingfisher
Our first full day has to be one of the best we have had for sightings in one day, after many safaris. We came across a pack of nine African wild dogs, chasing impala one way and then the other, in the first light of morning. Before long we had tracked them down to a kill. They devoured this while a lone hyena watched on, keeping its distance. Later that morning we found one of the lion prides on the move – another chance for some stunning photographic opportunities.
The first sighting of wild dogs on our trip
The dogs offered us some excellent photographic opportunities
A personal favourite
Tug of war!
Desperately trying to snatch food out of the other dog’s mouth!
Father and son stand proudly together
The Dark Mane lion
A loving moment is shared
That evening amidst a plethora of animals we enjoyed some great viewings of one of Londolozi’s famous leopards.
The Tu Tones Male
Tu Tones shows up beautifully against the summer grasses
The male gets a good vantage point from the boughs of a marula tree
On our last morning, and just when we thought it could not get any better, the wild dogs returned and we caught them on the hunt again. They were soon on the scent of an impala – stalking a large herd. The herd was easily spooked and before we knew it there were impala and dogs everywhere! (chasing left and right). If you even dared blink for a moment, you would have missed the chase. It was absolute chaos with animals crisscrossing on each side of the Land Rover.
Our second sighting of a large pack of wild dogs – they were soon on the scent of a herd of nearby impalas
Sniffing the air
The impala herd at this stage were oblivious to the presence of the dogs
And the chase begins…
The wild dogs follow in hot pursuit
Impalas flee in all directions
The result!
Full bellies and another successful day in the bush
Amidst that chaos, one of the dogs had made a catch and we watched as it trotted back to collect and inform the rest of the pack – amazing behaviour. The kill was shared amongst the pack and even one injured and limping dog got its fill before retiring for a short doze, bellies full in the now very warm sun.
So the animals were great and the service, even better – on that note thank you too to Kim for allowing us into her wonderful wine cellar for our last dinner.
What a delight and what a place.
Written and Photographed by: Frank Oldham
Wow! Amazing images. Fantastic wild dog pics. Great sightings. Love the birds.
What great sightings and photos to remind you! Love your personal favorite. Thanks for sharing.
The Black mane lion is amazing as always. great leader and father!
Great pictures! I especially enjoyed the dark mane majingilane with his young cub. This is something I don’t think I’ve seen. Do you know what pride the cub was from? Tsala?
Thanks for the lovely comments Frank, it was a great evening in the cellar!
Wonderful photos_ I also hired that lens (its a monster) and am still getting the pictures framed.
What amazing pictures.
I frequent kruger on a yearly basis since 1991.
I love to one day do londolozi….
Its our dream getaway.
have to save enough to enjoy one of the best spottings of high concentration of game.
ONE DAY IS ONE DAY!!
SELVEN GOVENDER BENONI