The Big news this week is of course the newest Leopards of Londolozi.
By that I meant the cubs of the Makomsava female, who are certainly no older than a month, but probably closer to three weeks old. Two tiny leopards, being hidden in a rocky outcrop near the Manyelethi River in the north of Londolozi. The den (which has previously been used by the Makomsava female’s mother, the Nanga female) allows for some amazing photographic opportunities, so you’ll have to excuse us if many of our media offerings over the coming weeks are leopard cub-centric.
Research has shown that first-time leopard mothers have higher success rates in raising cubs than older females, so we are hopeful for these two.
Despite her small size, this daughter of the Nyelethi Female established herself as a significant presence in Londolozi's northern reaches.
It’s certainly not only about leopard cubs on the reserve though, so enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The Senegal Bush male (drinking right of frame) and the Mashaba female had made their way to a waterhole shortly after they had finished off the remains of their kill. They have been mating since this photo was taken which unfortunately suggests that something has happened to the Mashaba female’s latest cub.
Londolozi's oldest territorial female. Distinguished by her nose spot, this Sunsetbend matriarch's legacy lives on through her daughters.
A female elephant drinking from the steady flow of the Sand River. Elephants prefer the freshest water they can find,;that’s not to say they won’t drink from a wallow if they have to, but they would prefer something cleaner. Understandably.
Probably the most versatile organ in the animal kingdom; an elephant’s trunk.
The morning sunrise over the Sand River is always a breathtaking sight. When the water temperature is higher than the surrounding air it will often give rise to a fine mist.
Fresh evidence of a male leopard that has just walked down the road. Leopards will often use roads as pathways upon which they demarcate their territory through scent marking and scraping of their hind feet. Follow the footprints for long enough and they will come to an end – where the leopard lies.
The Makomsava female perched on one of the dramatic boulders that line the Manyelethi river. Some spots on Londolozi just beg to feature a leopard, and this just happens to be one of them,
Every year at the end of winter, Knobthorn trees break out into a dazzle of yellow as their flowers blossom. The flowers emerge before the leaves. They are one of the few trees whose main pollinator is a mammal; as giraffes feed on the flowers, they transfer the pollen from one tree to the next.
The Senegal Bush male was found with the Mashaba female on an nyala kill. As usual in this type of situation, it was the larger male that had claimed the bulk of the kill for himself, although we found the pair when there were only scraps left. The male was robbed of this last bit of leg by hyenas shortly after this.
A brightly coloured impala lily. The landscape is completely dry by now and is filled with hues of yellow and brown. In some of the grassy clearings though, the bright pink impala lilies provide a beautiful splash of colour.
As the days heat up, elephants are becoming a common sight around the Sand River and at any remaining water source. Here a small family group gathers to drink mid-morning, not too far from the Londolozi camps.
A flash of colour in a thorn bush. A tiny blue waxbill finds refuge amongst the long white thorns between bouts of searching for seeds.
The Three Rivers female has been mating with the Senegal Bush male repeatedly over the last few weeks. One particular evening we had a great view of them on the banks of the Maxabene riverbed. Getting below them gave us a unique perspective.
Crocodiles and hippos live quite happily in the same pools (the hippos can be seen out of focus in the background). They don’t compete for the same food (crocodiles eat fish and the occasional antelope, and the hippos are grazers), and can sometimes even be seen basking in the winter sun within a metre of each other.
Nyalas are antelopes of the thickets. Although mixed feeders, browse material is their preferred food, and as such they spend a lot of time in riparian vegetation, particularly along the Sand River. The River itself is their closes source of water, and if lucky, one can catch a small family group like this one as they emerge into the open for a drink.
One of the Makomsava cubs gingerly approaches the edge of the rock face to peer down on the vehicle.
By far the most special sighting of the week.
Fantastic to see the Makomsava cubs. Watched the Instagram story this morning. Amazing. Great pics this week. Spring is definitely here. Love the knobthorn and Impala lily. Great sunrise pic.
OMG!!! All of this TWIP is wonderful as usual, but those last 2 photos of Makomsava and her cub – well done Guy, how glad are you to be back at Londolozi?!
Beautiful! You guys need a leopard card for Makhomsava!
My favourite pictures for this week are the impala Lily (gorgeous, I love the way it stands in dry grass very visible to pollinators! ( and of course the Makomsava cubs so irresistible! The elephant trunk and the water creatures are beautifully portrayed especially nyala close to the water, very elegant.
That leopard cub!!! Oh, my, what a fabulous sighting! Great TWIP again!
Sweetest pictures of the new Leopard cub and his Mom!
Lovely TWIP, thanks!
Just a great week in pictures. Love cubs and little ones of all the inhabitants
Wonderful pictures again!
My question: Why is it the case that inexperienced leopard mothers are more successful than older ones? I would have thought that is is the other way round.
And another question: When I was in Londolozi I saw so many leopards; however, I didn’t write their names down, or only some. How can I identify them now? Who ‘s who of the leopard world?
You are right, best picture is the mother leopard giving her cub a face wash! The leopard activity is so active and so fingers crossed all goes well for them. Great to see all the inhabitants of the bush going about their business!! Thank you 😊 Victoria
James, I loved all the photos, Leopard Senegal bush male, and the Leopard licking tiny cub
James – I loved lily?
Kudos for a fantastic week in pictures!! Guy’s images of the newest member of the Londolozi “ leopard cub club” are heartwarming to say the least. The detail shots I also find interesting. In all, terrific variety and I’m looking forward to being inundated by more leopard cubs images.
All of the sightings are wonderful… but mom and cubs by far I’d agree is the most special too💕 Thank you
It certainly has been bumper week for the most amazing leopard sightings. The topping on the cake of course, being the magical shot of the Makomsava female and one of her cubs. Absolutely stunning 😍💕💕🙏
Hi James. Loved the new little Leopard! And the one of it with its Mum too about to have his face licked!! Also loved the pic of him peering nervously over the edge of the rock! What a delight! Wendy M
Incredible photos of the Makomsava female and her cobs! Many other amazing photo captures as well!!
Mama Makomsava and her baby are PRECIOUS!
Don’t think most here will tire of leopard cub news!
James, How exciting to see another set of cubs, and especially with Makomsava! Prayers for their safety!
Great selection of photos guys and look forward to many more of Makhomsava’s cubs! Quick question regarding the Three Rivers Female. I have been looking all over the internet and social media and would like to know if you all know who her father is suspected to be? Thanks a bunch!
Nailed it Guy!
All beautiful photos, I especially love the last one
Looks like it was an amazing week!