With only the lone Tsalala lioness moving around the northern parts of Londolozi, it was almost inevitable a pride would start moving in to take over, and it was most likely going to be between the Styx and Nkahuma prides.
I had heard that the Styx pride had been seen in the north a few days prior, but with heavy rains the Sand River had risen, and we were unable to cross. When the water level dropped a bit, we decided to see if we could track the pride down.
The Styx pride are becoming regular visitors to Londolozi.
We found tracks quite soon, but it took us awhile to piece together exactly what had happened. Between Freddy Ngobeni, Jerry Hambana and Lucky Shabangu – three of Londolozi’s most experienced trackers – we had over half a century of tracking experience combined, so if the lions were there, we were pretty sure we were going to find them!
For about 45mins to an hour the three men worked together to solve the puzzle, and upon their instructions the three rangers (me, Alex Jordan and Paul Danckwerts) converged on the clearing the tracks were reportedly heading towards.
We were just too late, as there in front of us was a heaving mass of tawny, the horns of a wildbeest kill poking out, that was so fresh it was practically still kicking. The pride must have taken it down only 10 minutes or so before we got there!
We had an amazing sighting of the lions – who are lo0king very healthy – feeding for the next while.
The pride were covered in blood and tensions were still running high as they all tried to grab the best chunks of meat for themselves.
The younger members of the pride made sure they got their share too.
An adult lioness jealously guards her section of the kill.
In true form, Jerry Hambana was still very much on the alert through the sighting, and suddenly called our attention to a tiny, tiny shape he had spotted way off in the distance in the boughs of a marula tree, which after careful scrutiny through high-powered binoculars, turned out to be a leopard. It was right at the limit of what the human eye could see, and I am still utterly amazed at Jerry’s incredible eyesight. This was not the first time he had done this. Click on this link to watch a video of another superb spot by Jerry from a few years ago. We have yet to measure this one, but I’m guessing it would be somewhere in the region 0f 800m+.
The leopard out to be the young Thamba male, but unfortunately by the time we had arrived at the tree he had descended and was lying in some dense round-leafed teak thickets, so photos were pretty much impossible.
The Thamba male and his relative the Hosana male – both young leopards – are being seen more and more on Londolozi.
The Styx pride have been seen closer and closer to the Londolozi camps since this sighting, so if we’re lucky, we may have a new resident pride in the north. What this will mean for the Tsalala female, we’ll just have to wait and see…
Great photos Grant. So much activity in the rainy season
Oh wowzer , your guests did very well . Nature abhors a vacuum and it will probably be bad news for the Tsalala lioness if they do move in.
Grant, By chance would you have the video of them feeding with sound? Thanks
Hi guys,
We do have the video; I’ll embed it today…
We’ve had the privilege of working with Freddy Ngobeni on previous visits and have requested him again for our next. He is amazing ! He’s also a great Dad. His son, Shearer, was featured in the latest Good Work Foundation update. http://www.goodworkfoundation.org/and-hes-off/
(Freddie has teased me that we’re related based on similarities in name.)
What action packed feeding frenzie! Wow! The expressions are absolutely priceless and extraordinary to watch. Superb captures!
Thank you for update on Hosana. Miss seeing him. Wonderful daily missives.
What a counterpoint to watching the animals frolic and play! Thank you.
So exciting to be on a drive with skilled trackers doing what they do best – and the moment of success when they find their quarry! I’ve experienced Jerry’s amazing eyes and so wish I’d been there with you all, Grant!
Great post and awesome kill. But, of course, we loved hearing of Jerry’s newest long distance leopard sighting. He is truly amazing. We miss you two and the animals, of course. Please take a picture of the two of you and send it to our email. Hugs❤️
Great to have some more lions on the property!
Agreed, Al!
Great shots and the Styx are looking very healthy indeed despite what looks like some mange(I’ve seen both adults Styx with mange previously as well as losing cubs to mange). They have certainly had their fair share or trials and tribulation.
That’s an amazing sighting!! It’s quite interesting to see the Styx Pride making inroads in Londolozi, I always thought they always stayed on Mala Mala?
And it’s also interesting to hear that Hosana is still being seen on Londolozi
Just back from tiger safari in India (Bandhavgarh & Ranthambore). They could learn a lot from the safari experience at Londolozi and southern Africa. Always good to hear from one of my former guides and trackers at Londo in Grant and Jerry.
Wonderful news that another pride is moving on to Londolozi.
Fantastic shot and so exciting to see Thamba and the Styx Pride. Seems all those darling cubs have grown up to beautiful fierce lions. I read the blog but didn’t read just how many lions are in the Styx at this time. And Thamba that boy he looks so good, glad to see he is thriving, growing and he is so big.
What an unbelievable encounter on all fronts – the Styx pride enjoying a gourmet meal and the sighting of the Thamba leopard. Wish I was there to witness this!
Wow, Jerry’s leopard spotting abilities continue to be just short of impossible and way beyond unbelieveable! Merry