“Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.” Gary Snyder
Having recently come back from leave, driving past the sign of Londolozi, I feel home.
When I began here, we used to play a song called We’re Going Home by Vance Joy as we left to go on leave after a six-week cycle. Two years later we now play this as we are arriving back to Londolozi after leave.
It’s the fresh air that fills up around me and replaces what was an air-conditioned car. It’s the sight of the open grasslands on the drive in and the changing vegetation into the thicket bushwillows as the tree branches now drape the two tracks after the recent rains.
It’s the first wildebeest that kicks up the stones as you drive past, scaring the Lilac breasted roller that was perched on the now lush Marula tree. It is amazing how much changes in two weeks. Instead of music on full blast, the Woodland kingfisher’s instantly recognisable call can be heard while the distant territorial grunt of an impala is clear.
I often stop for a moment when I return. I listen, watch, and smell while a breeding herd of elephants crosses the road, heading north towards the Sand River. This is the most exciting change for me; I cannot wait to see the changes in water levels on its story-telling banks. It’s the land, it’s the animals and lastly…
It’s driving past the entrance to the camp, greeting every friendly face; “Avuxeni” (“Good morning” in Shangaan). It is the people that really make this place feel like home.
Sometimes we have to visit other places, and sometimes it is the images that take us back home. I hope these take you back to memories of our home, Londolozi.
One of the Nstevu cubs leaps down from a tree; usually this image would be host to a leopard, however this curious cub kept us entertained as it got scared and quickly wanted to get down after climbing.
Golden light hits the trunks of these elephants as they feed on the lush grass, providing a great opportunity for a photo showing the many different textures of a trunk.
Grass levels are at an all-time high so this cheetah uses a small termite mound to scan the surrounds.
A close up of a Giraffe as it stares at a passing leopard in the thick grass, extremely focused.
A Wild Dog stares at a Hyena in a nearby pan, while the rest of the pack rests on the rock where they spent most of their afternoon.
Tracker and good friend Ray Mabilane, happy as always; one of the best parts of my job is working with this friendly face. As I said, it’s the people that make a place feel like home.
With the recent rains, there is no shortage of mud and small pans of water providing great opportunities for rhinos to be cooling off on the hot summer days.
A very relaxed male Giant Kingfisher, as the brown is on the breast, whereas the females have brown on the belly.
The Mashaba female, still providing unbelievable sightings in many different areas of the reserve. She is the oldest female leopard that we see on Londolozi.
A beautiful Yellow Pansy butterfly land on one of the Birmingham males. I absolutely loved this scene; a delicate butterfly on an aggressive, dangerous male lion.
I almost mistook this tiny leopard tortoise for a stone in the road. Smaller than the palm of my hand, it slowly made its way across the two track.
After a long afternoon sleep under the shade of a Jackalberry tree, a Birmingham male stares at the rest of the pride as they make their way down the road.
A glazed look as the Inyathini male rests on a marula branch. Slowly his territory is getting smaller and smaller as he gets pressure from other males in the area.
One of the most distinct bushveld calls is that of the Black Bellied Korhaan, caught in the act here before he makes the distinct bubble popping sound.
Too many interesting photos to select a favorite–well done!
Thank you Vin.
Hi Dean. I used to feel exactly the same about going to my aunt’s farm, which is now part of Mabula Game Lodge. I used to LOVE going there for all my school holidays and felt I was “going home”, although i wasn’t as i lived in Jhb! I started going there at 4 years of age and am now nearly 82. Loved your Korhaan pic as well as the Giant King Fisher! Wendy M
Mabula is a great place too. Thank you for the comment Wendy.
Always love the photos in your blog. FYI, the name was changed from Black-bellied Korhaan to Black-bellied Bustard.
Thank you so much Arlene. Yes you are a hundred percent correct. Habit.
Wow great selection focus so crisp
Thanks Mike, I hope you well.
Top notch photography
Thank you Jim
Dean, we are going to Lake Manyara to see the Tree Climbing Lions – but I see you have seen them here.
We are celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary, Sept 5 – we will be there at Londolozi.
We will be in Lake Manyara on 25, 26, 27! We always save the best for last, we love Londolozi🤗, we have made 4 visits – and now the 5th🤗
Ah very jealous of the trip to Lake Manyara, look forward to seeing you in September.
Beautiful expressive photos of Giraffe and Wild Dog. The Inyathini Male does looks tired but I particularly loved the texture and light on the Ele trunk and the vulnerable Pansy Butterfly poised so lightly on the sleeping Lion!
Thank you Jennifer
The Mashaba female, stunning photo .
Something different, thank you Ian.
Wonderful TWIP! My favorites include Inyathini (love that ear silhouette), the Giant Kingfisher and the Leopard Tortoise! Thanks, Dean!
Glad you enjoyed them Mary Beth.
First of all….”Avuxeni” Dean and welcome back! Your images were absolutely stunning. The textures of the elephant’s trunk, the downward leap of a cub off the tree, to the tattered ears of the aging Inyathini male and the delicate butterfly on a massive lion. All were exceptional. One can see why your returns from leave are a true welcome home. Thanks!
Wow, what an unbelievable comment, appreciate it Joanne.
Wonderful job Dean, especially you write up at the beginning. You also have an extraordinarily good eye for composition!!! Love your photographs!
Thank you so much Bob and Lucie, I quite enjoyed writing the write up as well. Appreciate the comment.
Hi Dean, great selection of photos as always! Any idea as to the sex ratio of the Ntsevu sub-adults and the youngest litter?
Dean,
This are nice pictures. Very real and some really show the rough life of the wild. Pieces of the ears of the Inyathini male look like they have been included in other’s meals.
Thank you William
Amazing photos Dean- especially the elephant details. I understand how Londolozi feels like coming home. I was so excited to spend 5 days there in March, but two broken bones in my wrist have squelched that! Was so keen to finally have a chance to see leopard cubs… perhaps there will be more next year 😘
We can only hope so Denise, look forward to seeing you next year.
Excellent selection of first rate photos. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Thank you Karen
Amanig quaility!!! Particularly love the shots of the giant kingfisher and the Mashaba Female!!
Thank you Callum
Hello Ray!
He sends his regards Al, see you soon.
Such fantastic pictures ! Especially the king fisher, we were lucky enough to get close to one on our recent trip to Londolozi. Cant wait to return.
Thank you Karen, have no doubt you guys will have great sightings again judging from what you all saw last time. Appreciate the comment.
Black white of The Mashaba female is my favourite
Thank you Cheung
Fantastic story and photos.
Thank you Henk
Stunning pics Dean.
Thank you Marinda
Lovely photos Dean. I especially loved the half face in black and white of the leopard.