Now that we’re heading into autumn at Londolozi, a few things are beginning to change. The early mornings have a noticeable crispness, something that they lacked during the summer.
The grass is slowly turning from green to gold and lastly, the sun is rising later and later each day. The combination of the aforementioned phenomena results in spectacular mornings in the bush at this time of year.
It was on one of these mornings last week that just as the sun was rising, tracker Life Sibuyi stopped me and motioned to something on the ground – fresh lion tracks.
The sun was just peeping over the trees on the horizon as the sounds of wildebeests alarming filled the clearing.
I barely had time to inspect the tracks before we heard wildebeest alarming in the clearing that lay just up ahead. A minute later we entered the clearing and to our delight a lioness’s head was peering out over the golden grass. The only thing between the lioness and the sunrise was a rather dismayed herd of wildebeest. We stopped at a distance to drink in the scene. The sun appeared huge as it slowly inched above the horizon. The lioness though, did not seem too interested in the wildebeest or the sunrise and was quite content basking out in the open in the cool morning air.
The early morning sun baths an Ntsevu lioness in a gentle golden glow.
The sun rose higher in the sky and as the clearing was illuminated further, we moved in closer to get a better look at the lioness, soon realising that there were a number of other lions with her. It turned out the the lioness was an Ntsevu female and was accompanied by a small portion her pride.
The lions had been hunting the previous evening and their travels found them in this particular clearing at dawn. By the looks of things, they had managed to catch something during the night as their bellies were fairly full and the wildebeest were of no further concern to them. We watched them laze around and felt the morning begin to warm up. The increasing temperature roused the lions and slowly they ambled to a shady area on the edge of the clearing where they promptly fell asleep again.
The same lioness scans the clearing for potential spots to settle down for the day.
We watched as the last sub-adult settled in the shade when just as we were about to leave, a booming roar splintered through the still morning air. The lions stirred a little but showed no close attention to the call. We on the other hand took the roar as a sign to continue and left the lions to enjoy their hard earned rest. We raced off in the direction of the noise.
We arrived up on the crest where we believed the call had originated from. Conveniently, we heard the roar again – much closer this time. A quick U-turn was all that was required and as we turned we saw a big Birmingham male emerge from the thicket in front of us. The morning was warm now and he used the shade of a guarrie bush to give off one last call. He listened for an answer – nothing. It was then that he was resigned to his fate; he would have to wait the day out in the shade and go in search of his pride when evening returned.
The last piece of the puzzle. We were fortunate to see the Birmingham male out in the open after he called from the impenetrable thicket.
The Birmingham male was reunited with the Ntsevu pride that night and they were found the next day in a different area. With the pride being so large, we are now used to seeing them in smaller factions and kills are consumed quickly by the hungry youngsters. One of these days the young male members of the pride will become nomadic and wander the wilderness in search of a pride of their own.
For now though the Ntsevu a pride remains semi-intact despite being found in smaller groups scattered around the reserve. We relish the fact that the pride is thriving and every night we go to sleep we eagerly await what the dawn will hold.
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Nick, I loved the lions🤗
Really nice atmospheric article , any news of the Tsala lioness/cub /pride?
Thanks Ian. We haven’t seen the Tsalala pride in a few weeks. The pair were last seen in the Manyelethi River bed about 3 weeks ago and were looking healthy.
The ongoing developments of the Ntsevu pride continue to fascinate! Looking forward to seeing how things develop through the end of summer and into the fall. Thanks for the great post Nick!
Hello Nick, are both Birmingham males still around? It looks like a new lion saga with adult males moving around
Hi Francesca, both the Birmingham males are going strong at the moment. The two males are aging so it remains to be seen which males will move in to replace them.
Great photos of those lions.I like the story very much. One can really imagine how the sun is coming up and it is getting lighter and those sleepy lions peer out of the grass.
I am looking forward very much to spending Easter at Londolozi!
One of the benefits a job like yours has, is experiencing the beginning of each day, watching the sun rise in wide open spaces, surrounded by nature’s gifts of all levels. Every day is unique- you don’t always know what you’ll encounter as your wheels begin the morning’s drive, even with briefings prior to departing the lodge. Based upon the previous day’s sightings, you could go in search of the wild dogs’ pack, only to run into the Ximungwe female! As I see it, dawn represents earth’s cycle of awakening, and consequently ours, to open our eyes wide and let the day begin. Enjoyed reading your thoughts.
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a lovely story… and so it continues… !
Hi, Nick! Any sign of the Tsalala pride on Londolozi?
Hi Linda, we haven’t seen the Tsalala pride in a few weeks but the last time they were seen there were looking healthy.
Hearing a lion’s roar is one of the most incredible experiences!
Gorgeous sunrise lions!
i am a huge lion fan!!!!!!! ANYTHING ON THE TSALALAS MOM AND DAUGHTER???? PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Suzanne, nothing new on the Tsalalas. We will be sure to update everyone when they are next found.
Such a beautiful blog, both writing and pictures! The dawn was my favorite time of day at Londolozi.
I was wondering if anyone has any information about the Tsalala Female and her cub?
Hi Nickolette, we don’t have any recent news on the Tsalala pride but they were looking healthy last time we saw them.
Absolutely incredible foto’s of the lions and the backdrop of the lioness lying in the grass. I’m sure they made a kill the night before, as you say Nick they looked as if they fed the night before. Gorgeous foto of the Birmingham male lion.
Wonderful story!! also would love to have an update on the Ottawah pride.
What a great way to start your days work.
Nick- a wonderfully descriptive blog – you had me right back there in the beautiful early morning light, watching it evolve!
What glorious start to another beautiful African dawn !🙏💕
Really beautiful piece and great photos
Hi Nick. Thanks for a typical bushveld awakening and then visited by Royalty – one of the Queens and one of the Kings Himself! Loved the accompanying pics too. Wendy M