My wife Marise and I were very fortunate to visit Londolozi again in the middle of May this year. We try to visit every year, with our last trip being just before everything shut down in March 2020, preventing us from travelling during the entire year at all. Once we were able to get the vaccine it was a game-changer. We booked and were on our way. On this particular trip, we travelled with our friends Dan and Adele Harlacher who have also visited Londolozi on more than 10 occasions.
It was also comforting to know that everyone on the long flights had received a recent negative Covid test. We all felt very comfortable with reference to the Covid precautions and just about everything we did was outdoors. It was extra special being back in the bush after such a difficult year for everyone.
The process for obtaining the needed Covid PCR test before returning home was handled in an exceptional way by all the Londolozi staff. Especially obtaining a hard copy of the PCR results in a timely fashion prior to departure. Our return flight to the US was cancelled at the last minute and we had to change the time of the PCR test for the new flight, no problem for the Londolozi staff who made it all happen. Of course, the visit to Londolozi was fantastic as usual with outstanding big cat viewings, amazing birds and marvellous service. We are ready to come back as soon as we can.
Enjoy my Week in Pictures…
The Xinzele Female is now one of the regular leopards we see in the northern parts of the reserve.
How is it that lions, leopards, or any wild animal make sleeping on the ground look so comfortable?
What turns out to be a fairly common bird at Londolozi, doesn’t lack in its magnificent appearance. This Lilac Breasted Roller was perfectly lit up by the most gorgeous golden light.
The Plaque Rock Female resting on a termite mound, now becoming well established in the eastern parts of Londolozi she has turned out to be a very successful young female.
An impressive bird and one that we don’t often see at Londolozi, the Secretarybird. The bright contrasting orange and yellow of the face against the dull grey and black of the body makes this bird stand out, especially when having a look up close.
The Senegal Bush Male is known to walk some serious distances during the day, we were lucky to spend some time with him while he was going about just as the sun was setting.
While both out of the cold water resting on the bank, a young hippo approaches a little too close to an enormous crocodile. The crocodile didn’t quite like this and lashed out at the hippo. Thankfully, crocodiles are not that quick when out of the water and so the young hippo got away scot-free.
The Nhlanguleni female was on hot pursuit of the Senegal Bush Male while he moved on after a bout of mating.
The stunning, bright colouration of a Little Bee-eater.
Glancing back over his shoulder they have their eyes fixated on a herd of impala on a crest in the distance.
Red-capped Robin-Chat up close. These birds are renowned for their melodious call throughout the winter.
A male Small Orange Acraea butterfly resting on a dead leaf, the colours are exquisite.
Amazing the colours of the aloes against the iridescent blue and green of the White-bellied Sunbird.
A cute lion cub yawning.
A bird’s bill is perfectly designed to accommodate their diet, in the case of Red-billed Firefinches who are seed eaters, they have a short conical bill that is designed to crack open the seeds helping start the digestion process.
Monochrome images of zebras are my favourite.
Scarlet-chested Sunbirds are magnificent with the bright colours contrasting against the dark black body.
A tender moment between a tiny lion cub and its mother.
A mother cheetah and her sub-adult male resting on a termite mound scanning the surroundings for any potential prey or danger.
a tough time for a mother, looking after four young hungry mouths that never give you a moment rest when around.
Incredible pictures, special the shots of the birds its taking the breath, thanks for joining it
Hi, this blog has become my own private refuge of dreams… the photos are superb! I appreciate the choice of big cats and birds, also the butterfly is stunning. I immediately was captured by the first image I thought “wow”! What a day! Thank you for the detailed info on tests it is comforting for the future to plan a trip. The cubs are caught in their cuteness, i was particularly happy to see cheetahs, but i love leopards and lions as well.
Stunning photos
Thank you Anthony, for sharing your photos. I seem to remember this is not the first time and these pics are also really, really good. Love the firefinch!
Anthony. Outstanding pictures. Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Thank you
Incredible selection of images Tony, really enjoyed the bird photographs. Well done!
Once again you have blown our minds with your fabulous photography! Each one of your images shows an amazing attention to detail and the variety of wildlife you photographed made the post extra special! We noticed you are using the new Canon mirrorless on some of your shots. How do you compare it to your 1DX? BTW, we are still in Sarasota and would love to connect with you some time at our restaurant!
Thanks for the kind comments and look forward to seeing you again in Sarasota.The R 5 mirrorless camera surprisingly compares very well the the 1dx and using it with the mirrorless 100-500 mm lens allows it to be used for both animals and birds with a 1.4 x extender and is superior to the 1dx because of the eye tracking for birds in flight but the 1dx remains better in low light for the early morning and late evening drives!
How is it at capturing hummingbirds?
Fantastic -take a look at some I took in my home garden and posted on my facebook timeline 🙂
All your photos are incredible! Those cheetah, and that lilac breasted roller…Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you for sharing such stunning photos before we return to Londolozi once again! Your bird photos are truly exquisite!!!
Amazing shots Anthony! One right after the other! Lucky you!
Fantastic bird images!
Absolutely fantastic pictures. The birds are just “WOW”
Fantastic photos, Anthony. The one of the 4 lion cubs, wasn’t this the lioness who had 5 cubs? How amazing to see the encounter between the hippo and croc, not sure who would win that one! – I suspect they would be pretty evenly matched.
Dr Anthony your love for the bush shows with the magnificent foto’s you have taken. Each and every one is so perfectly positioned to get the utter most of the animal or bird. Your photography is outstanding. Good to see an ex South African enjoying the bush and everything Londolozi has to offer.
The photographs are amazing!! What a great talent!
Judy Koehler
Ver Beach, FL
we envy you your trip! We could not make it to Londolozi this year because of COVID, but se are hoping to make it next year. Thank you for sharing! Victoria
Gorgeous photos! Was sad to hear that Nhlanguleni is mating and has therefore lost her cubs.
Anthony, all I can say is WOW!! Fantastic shots of the cats and the birds – you are obviously a professional photographer. Also loved the butterfly. There is no way to pic a favourite – loved them all. Thanks very much for sharing with us.
Thanks everyone for the very kind comments 🙂
Wonderful images, the lilac-breasted roller shot in just the right light is incredible. Most if not all birds are quite stunning, even the common ones, if you really look up close. The leopards in and around Londolozi often seem more golden than elsewhere, particularly the offspring of the Sunset Bend Female (maybe I read that in a blog?). Your image of the Plaque Rock Female is a case in point …
Oh My Heavens! and I mean that literally as amongst this stellar collection with the possible capture of the lioness and her cubs, the birds rule!
Amazing images! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Betty-Lou.
What fabulous photos of your enviable Safari ! Thank you for sharing with us all.
Your photos are stunning! I especially loved the birds. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Anthony. Each photo is superb – so much so I now have a BUNCH of photos for Screensavers! I took just about all of your pics! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You may be a Cardiologist, but you could quite easily take bush pics full time! I am so thrilled with “my” screensavers!! Wendy M
My pleasure, Wendy
Always a treat when I see your photos posted.. Thank you for sharing your passion!
Exquisite photos Anthony !!