Once again another week has come and gone and we can hardly keep track as we rapidly approach summer. The bush is beginning to transform subsequent to some uncharacteristic rainfall for this time of year. Deciduous trees are breaking out in tiny little buds, the dust has settled, and nature is slowly revealing clues that summer is just around the corner.
Predominant warm colours still undertone the majority of this week’s selection where we find a large number of lions featuring. The full complement of the Mhangeni Pride were seen in the Sand River fairly close to camp, AND an Avoca Male and a Ntsevu Female have been seen mating! We have also seen the brief return of the older Ntsevu Cubs before they moved back into the river.
The Ndzandzeni Female leopard has been found a few times in the deep southern reaches of the reserve allowing some great viewing of her two cubs. The Ximungwe Female leopard has been found along the Maxabene River and was once again seen laying in a dead leadwood – a photographer’s dream.
We’ve also managed to capture some bucket-list sightings : elephants in the Leadwood forest, elephants in the Sand River, and an African Yellow White-eye which is an uncommon bird to see here.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
One of the two rapidly growing Nkoveni Female’s cubs rests at the base of a large torchwood tree. Playful and inquisitive by nature these two cubs provide a spectacle when we are able to find them together.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
The insurgence of the Northern Avoca Males into Londolozi continues. A huge statement was made by this particular male who was found in the central parts of the reserve mating with one of the Ntsevu lionesses.
Confidence is key, this Avoca Male now deep within the Birmingham Males’ territory.
Another Ntsevu Female lying not too far away had lifted her head and began grooming, catching this male’s attention as he was already on edge.
A large male, lit up by gorgeous golden light, slowly ambled over towards us, scent-marked in the large midden near to the vehicle, and then moved on.
Golden bouquet, and a leopard in a tree, some photographers couldn’t ask for better. The Ximungwe Female walks along the length of a dead leadwood branch before descending the tree and moving on for the evening’s missions.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
An evening drink is a must on safari. Often we will choose to stop alongside the Sand River, a crest with a nice view, or at a waterhole to see what visitors we may have. Here a large herd of elephants comes across to drink. Parked at a distance we could watch them closely so that if they started coming towards us we could climb back into the vehicle. They casually had their fill of water before moving on without even having appeared to notice us.
Just a few days ago I wrote a post about the bucket list sightings that one can experience at Londolozi. Featured there was seeing an elephant bull in the leadwood forest. Ironically, I happened to find myself in the right place at the right time and captured this image of a large bull passing under the tall leadwoods.
A brief pause in the ‘V’ of the tree, allows one of the Ndzandzeni Female’s cubs a chance to glance over at its mother and then make the next move climbing higher into a marula tree.
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
A bird fluttering around the trees caught our eye with its bright yellow plumage, upon closer inspection we realised that it was in fact an African Yellow White-eye. A bird that is not commonly seen around here at all. It was in a flock of about 6 or 7 birds that moved through that morning and I haven’t seen them since.
The three older Ntsevu cubs are still alive and well. They have spent the last few weeks in the Sand River, making viewing of them tough. On a cold windy morning, they huddle together to keep warm.
A female zebra stands proud out ahead of the rest of the dazzle.
Having found the Ndzandzeni Female’s cubs, the mother was nowhere to be found. Probably resting off in the distance away from them to have a much-needed break. One cub had moved off the rock, stalking some francolin, this cub watches from a boulder before swiftly moving in to assist.
Peering over the top of a fallen tree, the three cubs watch as we drive out of the sighting. The mother resting in the long grass in the background.
On a fairly cool afternoon, we managed to find the Mhangeni Pride down in the Sand River pretty close to camp. Although out in the open, it was tricky viewing as we could not get ourselves too close without risking getting stuck. This would result in receiving the dreaded Pink Pouch.
The younger elephant fixated on the two geese swimming on by out of the elephants’ way.
I can’t believe ho cute those cubs are! Fantastic pictures of animals at their peak of existence, like the rhino, lions, zebra, elephants and life at the beginning for leopards and lions cubs. If they succeed, it will be interesting to see how the Ndzanzeni twins parts. The lion dynamics are always so interesting!
We are in for a very interesting time ahead. The lion dynamics are going to be something to follow closely, along with the cubs. Fingers crossed they all survive, we will keep you updated as to where they disperse to.
Lovely TWIP again. How old are the Ndzanzeni cubs now?
Hi Suzanne, thank you once again. We are so glad you enjoyed it. They are roughly eight months old. We estimate them to be born in December 2020.
The 3 older Ntsevu cubs, is that from the original litter of 5 cubs that the Avoca male killed 2 from?
Hi Binal, there were originally five cubs. I know that the Northern Avoca Males killed some of the Ntsevu Cubs, but I think it may have been another female’s cubs. I will find out the exact details as to which ones were killed by the Avoca Male.
It will be interesting to see how the dynamics between the Avoca’s and the Birmingham’s plays out! I’ll be watching! Love the pictures of the lion cubs, they are so cute!
Hi Debra, it is going to be incredibly interesting to see how it all plays out.
Sean, TWIP’s is another virtual safari that showcases the diverse wildlife of Londolozi. Thanks!
Hi William, TWIP is definitely another opportunity for us to share the amazing wildlife seen this week with everyone. I am so glad you enjoy them.
Awesome selection of images thanks for sharing Sean and everyone who contributed. Really loved the Elephant drinks stop!
Thanks, Rich.
Very nice pics, its fantastic to hear that all the cubs are well .
Hi Jutta, thank you so much. Thankfully the cubs are all doing well.
The big cats are so beautiful, all them the leopards have that tiny extra bump of beauty. It breaks my heart that some people would rather kill these innocent cats than watch them in a Video and watch there live as they live day by day, so intresting. I’m so involved with them just watching that when bad stuff or death happens I cry for hours and get honestly depressed over them. It’s emotional heartbreaking. When things are going to well for cubs and adults it a awesome way to go to work after watching the lives of the big cats
Tammy, the big cats indeed are beautiful.
Thanks for all the amazing photos. A beautiful selection. The lion and leopard cubs are just gorgeous!
Thank you, Christa. you cannot go wrong with a few images of cubs, they are stunning little animals.
Great week of photos! My favorite has to be that baby elephant checking out the geese.
Thank you, Marcia. Young elephants are so entertaining. Just pushing its weight around when the geese were minding their own business.
I hope the lioness find a way to keep all those cubs safe from the N Avoca’s.. Have the Birmingham males left the area now?
Hi MJ, I hope she is able to keep the cubs safe. Luckily the cubs are quite far from where the Avoca Male was seen. Yes he has moved back into the northern parts of the reserve.
Wonderful photos this week Sean by you and some of the team, especially the young Ndzandzeni cub and the sundowner stop with the elephant family. It seems the Mhagene are spending more time east of Singita-due to the absence of a male protector?
So, who is the keeper of the dreaded Pink Pouch currently?
Thank you, Denise. There was a great selection this week of images.
The Mhangeni Pride has been spending a fair amount of time on Londolozi, and with that, they have been moving significant distances each day. I am sure this is due to the lack of a dominant male to cover them.
The Pink Pouch is currently comfortably placed on the right hip of Kyle, but there was a quick hand-over period between Kirst and Greg before Kyle.
Awesome foto’s this week in the TWIP. Loved the leopard cubs and lion cubs. Such diversity of foto’s it’s hard to choose the best, because they are all stunning. The guests stepping out of the vehicle having a drink and watching the elephants looks so inviting. Avoca male is so beautiful.
Thank you, Valmai.
Sean, we love seeing all the cubs! It’s so exciting to see the lions and leopards doing so well. Of course it will be interesting to see how the lions sort things out going forward!
It is always great seeing cubs, with there being a few around at the moment game drives have been so exciting.
Gorgeous photos this week!
Thank you, Lisa.
Superb cat photography , large and small
Thank you, Ian.
Trust you didn’t get the pink pouch Sean 😉…regardless…some spectacular photos as always and wonderful to know that all the leopard cubs and the three lion cubs are fairing so well 💕🙏
Thankfully not, Cally. But it did change hands this week (no names mentioned).
The lions’ ongoing saga will be interesting to follow.
I hope Greg is willing to share some photos from our spectacular sundowner event with 57 elephants last month. It was among our top 5 ever experiences at Londolozi!
Hi Vin, we haven’t got anything out of Greg yet. I will have to have a chat with him and get a few images from him.
Thank you for a great moment while I am sitting on our balcony and now wishing I was there! Victoria
Thank you, Victoria. Hopefully, you will be here soon.
Absolutely stunning pics this week Sean! Probably some of my favourite thus far! Such perfect pics of both leopard and lion cubs, and I love the little African yellow white-eye! Just beautiful! The elephants are always spectacular too! Thank you!!
Thank you so much, Carly. I think cubs in general pull on everyone’s heartstrings.