About the Author

James Tyrrell

Alumni

James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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22 Comments

on What’s The Story?

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Lynn Hurry
Member
Guest

For best viewing/ taking pics of spoor have the sun in front of you, (as with the pic of the Hyena spoor) . Having it behind you creates a reverse image effect. (Standing proud instead of as an indentation.)

Scar Mbiri
Explorer

James,may I ask what’s the largest Lion Tracks you’ve seen?,would love to know how long the biggest paw track of a Lion you’ve seen in sabi sands is. I heard The Matimbas had incredibly huge paw tracks so I wanted to get your take on it.

Laura Eberly
Member
Guest

Fantastic! She is a wonderful leopard, we were fortunate enough to see her in 2014 with both her female cubs. They both are independent now to the East of you. Great Mother!! Thank you!

Jill Larone
Member
Guest

James, absolutely astounding recount of a normal day in this extraordinary man’s life! I would give anything to be able to spend time following Andrea, watching and learning while he tracked. That would be the most incredible experience!

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Jill, as I type this, Andrea is still out in the bush tracking a lion pride. He’s been following the tracks for over three hours now and insisted that we leave him out there while we headed back for breakfast. I’m expecting his radio call any minute saying he’s found them…

James Tyrrell
Alumni

He got back about 20 minutes after I typed that reply, having tracked down the pride over 6.5 kilometres.

Lara Mathewson
Member
Guest

This is fascinating and beautifully composed. I’m glad I found this blog. Looking forward to the next post!

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Thanks for the comments Lara. Glad you found us 🙂

Judy Guffey
Member
Guest

I know all the trackers are good but Freddy Ngobeni……love him!

Diane Phillips
Member
Guest

wow, what a fascinating story. As you told it, I could see each movement and gesture. Thank you for enlightening on the wonders of a truly gifted tracker. Amazing.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Member
Guest

Great story – awesome tracker!!

Alison Belknap
Member
Guest

James, thank you for this interesting post, and the photograph of the gorgeous female leopard. I wonder if you (or someone) might do a blog post on poaching in or around Londolozi. Is there ever any poaching, aside from the odd small animal taken for the pot, and if not, how has Londolozi been able to avoid it? Is it your location (farther away from the Moz. border), the fences, or what? I would be very interested to read anything you at Londolozi have to say about issues such as poaching, rhino farming, lion bone trade and canned hunting. Thank you.

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Guest contributor

Wow!!! Thank you for the chronology … it was fascinating!!!!!!!

Arda
Member
Guest

I have such immense respect and admiratie for the skills of the trackers. The story above clary shows their knowledge and love for the bush. It also saddens me sometimes, to realize how living in cities of concrete have taken away those skills to “read” nature for most of us…

Jenny
Member
Guest

Another enthralling read James. Thank you. Thanks also for the pics of the leopard and hyena pads which illustrate the difference perfectly.
Looking forward to seeing photos of the Xidulu cubs.
Do you have any stories about hyenas? To me they are a much maligned animal. I have some wonderful photos and memories of seeing a pack of hyenas with their cubs when we were on a drive with Nick last year. The females were caring, nurturing mothers/aunties and the cubs very playful.

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Jenny, we have plenty of stories about hyenas! We’ll be doing a blog on them soon 🙂

Adelina
Member
Guest

I love reading these conversation and what I want to ask is Is Londolozi part of and Beyond Lodges? Thanks

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Adelina,
No, Londolozi is no longer part of &Beyond. It is a stand-alone, family run lodge since 2007.

Jill Larone
Member
Guest

Amazing James! Andrea is such an incredible tracker and person! If spending time, learning from someone, can be a bucket list wish, then Andrea is definitely on mine!

Lucas Buxton
Member
Guest

I only managed to spend one morning with Andrea. His tracking capabilities, only few would manage to comprehend and admire.

Tim Musumba
Member
Guest

Good tracker he is but why would he come to the conclusion that it was a female leopard and not a male?!Let me guess,it could be that a male leopard has bigger paw prints!!

James Tyrrell
Alumni

100% correct

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