James Tyrrell said it himself to me this week. “If we knew what was going to happen out here, we would all have grown bored long ago…”
Ranger Sean Zeederberg gets down low to capture the rising sun over the Sand River at Finfoot Crossing. A dawn of possibility awaits.
There’s one thing that we all know – nothing is certain. As cheesy as this sounds, it is what keeps the burning passion alive. It is what keeps people coming back to visit us at Londolozi on a yearly basis.
The archway leading into the Varty Camp Boma, where discoveries from each day are shared amongst staff and guests.
Almost daily, we are humbled by our ignorance out here. This week was a great example. We had a report from a member of our habitat team, Lion, that two leopards had made a kill close to camp (yes his name is Lion). Off we set as a team to have a look. Based on territory, we presumed the Ximungwe female and her male youngster would be present. Upon arrival, we were blown away to see the Mashaba female (the mother of Ximungwe and grandmother of the young male) walking past the Ximungwe female. The following morning, we returned only to find the Flat Rock male, the Nhlanguleni female, the Mashaba female and the Ximungwe young male all within the vicinity of the kill. No Doubt the Ximungwe female was somewhere around too. That’s five leopards in the same area. So much for our assumptions…
The Ximungwe female drinking at a prominent waterhole after having left the Mashaba female with her kill.
The surprises go on: sorting through trail camera footage and stumbling across a male leopard carrying a cub out of a den; finding out that seven wild dog pups that we presumed were dead had actually been moved to a second den and were all alive; following tracks of a lioness only to be interrupted by two wild dogs behind us while two otters ahead interact with crocodiles. It is really a bit ridiculous how we are constantly kept on our toes out in the bush.
The bounding joy of two of the seven remaining wild dog pups raised against all odds by a pack of two adults on Londolozi this year.
“Explore the Unknown and uncover infinite possibilities” Michael Mullan
As we leave camp every morning, we are faced with a myriad of choices. Which turn will we take at each junction? Do we cross the Sand River to explore the north? This web of possibilities expands with each new turn we take. We are also reminded that by slowing down, we are in fact speeding up the process of fulfilling our daily quest: to find the action unfolding. As we take the time to turn off the Land Rover and be still, utilising our sense of hearing, we are often led in a new direction determined by the sounds of the bush. None of this can be planned. All of it is random and our movements are scripted by the lives of the animals playing out around us. It is this freedom of structure that creates a continuous adventure.
Who knows what the road ahead will deliver? A Birmingham male lion walks along a winding track through Londolozi.
Escape the 8-5 certainty of urban life and come and explore the uncertainty of the wilderness with us…
No two days is nature are the same. No two game drives are the same. We often camp and self drive in Kruger. We are asked quite often if it is not boring. It never is. There is always something unexpected waiting around a corner.
Wish we could right now!!!
Hello, perhaps you might film sights of leopards families and behaviour and produce a documentary like the one on the Mother Leopard? It is so intriguing and I guess everybody from behaviourists and biologists to tourists would be very interested. After the grandmother adopting her grandson and famous Legadema in Botswana that took care of a baby baboon throughout the night it could provide new unprecedented data on these fascinating animals.
You guys are spoiled for choice and I’m green with envy 🙂 A friend said to me once, “Bern, I don’t understand how you can keep going to the bush all the time and still enjoy it, once you’ve seen one lion you’ve seen them all”… I guess there’s ‘us’ and then there’s ‘them’!. Needless to say I can’t wait to get back to all the impala’s I haven’t seen yet!
These posts are the highlight of the day. We are going to Londolozi next year so this is a great way to become familiar with everything before we visit.
Can’t wait to get back!
There is great wisdom in learning to beware the temptation of certainty Pete!! Two of my favorite quotes on this subject:
“A wise man believes only in lies, trusts only in the absurd, and learns to expect the unexpected.” – John Houseman
“Expect nothing, expect everything.” – Theresa of Avila
Pete, You are right, It’s been wonderful to see some of our usual expectations dashed! We can’t wait to be back and a part of it next year. In the meantime, your posts, updates and video from the team are brilliant!
Keep the adventures coming to us! It keeps us moderately sane in these Covid times!!!
Expect the unexpected! July has been an incredible month.
Pete, loved all the photos🤗
Peter, that was a very meaningful and deep reflection on life and it’s uncertainties, and yet how one’s choices will always lead to something special if one is open to the possibility of it.
Thank you so much Peter. These Londolozi stories are a highlight of my day.
This brings wishful tears to my eyes, ..”Escape the 8-5 certainty of urban life and come and explore the uncertainty of the wilderness with us…” ..
If only I could! , .. I would pack in a heart beat and come visit Londolozi and the bush!
Sure does make it exciting to live this life. A great career choice and a passion that is enviable
Exactly why we keep coming back!!!
Hi Pete, what does this mean: “come and explore the uncertainty of the wilderness with us…”? Is it already possible to travel to Londolozi again?
And yes, James is right, it’s the element of excitement and surprise, of some adventure and the wish to see more and more different animals and their different activities and social interactions that makes safaris so addictive.
Hi Christa,
Unfortunately the international borders are still closed. We are therefore not yet open, even to local travellers. We will be sure to keep everyone updated as to when we will be welcoming guests back!
Thanks Pete!
Love your descriptive wonderful stories…thanks once again Londolozi!….wish I could be there…back in S Africa once again…..keep safe…
Your post certainly shares some truisms. Nature, whether it’s landscapes, water, animals, birds, etc gives us something different everyday. Africa’s wildlife reserves offer us gifts that are immeasurable. So looking forward to returning next April!
A really nice blog Pete and some nice pics to boot. You do have some beautul sunrises and sunsets in Africa. I would dearly love to be there to see them. As youhave said, there is an element of surprise on a daily basis for you all and that is what makes life in the bush so interesting. Thanks for sharing with us – thoroughly enjoyed it. Be well and stay safe all of you at Londolozi.
I would give my all to be in your shoes right now, simply THE most perfect place to be in lockdown. We have done very well in Malta but as Europe reopens its doors and the Covid starts to rear its ugly head once again it makes it very difficult to make a plan. It has left everyone very unsettled and even a sail across the Mediterranean is marred with ifs and buts right now. However there will be a silver lining and I know where ours will be… at Londolozi 🙏🏻💕
Dreaming every day of getting back over there-
Bush life supercedes city life.Every day presents its very own set pf memories.As a ranger/guide every decision taken has the potential to make or break the expirience.
Londolozi is undoubtedly Africa’s Wilderness Wonderland. a true wilderness live encyclopedia