This week’s photographic highlights are certainly centred around animals that have made more of a name for themselves on Londolozi.
We have numerous fantastic sightings of a number of leopards. The Three Rivers Female cruising down a dry riverbed, accompanied by her young and adventurous male cub. They pause and climb a few trees on the morning missions. Before eventually settling down in some very thick vegetation with what we thought was the Maxim’s Male.
The Ximungwe Young Male is spending more and more time by himself as his mother, the Ximungwe Female, goes off hunting and patrolling her territory. He is still likely to be dependent on her for a while but it is always great to spend time watching as he explores the terrain around where his mother has left him.
The Ndzhenga Males have been spending a lot of time with a number of the Ntsevu Females, with a few of them apparently having mated in the last few days and weeks. We enjoy a sighting of one male and four females where there was a mildly heated greeting between one female and a male.
A number of animals have taken a liking to the Londolozi airstrip this week and have been spending time along or around the airstrip. From the smallest, a leopard tortoise, through to the tallest, a few giraffes. We even had a large elephant bull amble across the airstrip after feeding on a couple of marula fruit.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Resting in the shade of a marula tree while feeding on a few fallen marula fruit, this large elephant bull then headed straight towards the airstrip.
There is something special to seeing animals crossing the airstrip. The vast open landscape that surrounds it makes for great low angle shots with a clear non-distracting backdrop.
The Ximungwe Young Male was found roaming through some of the clearings. His mother had left him here while she was off hunting. He couldn’t resist and began searching for his own snack for the morning, sadly to no avail though.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
During an afternoon drive, we spent some time with a Ndzhenga Male and a few of the Ntssevu Females. A female approached this male and greeted him, which swiftly turned into the bearing of many teeth and claws. Female lions are not one to be messed with!
A brief interaction between this Ndzenga male and Ntsevu female. Believe it or not, this was a greeting!
In the heat of the morning, this Leopard tortoise decided to make its way across Londolozi’s airstrip.
This image intrigues me. The elephant is stunning and was interesting as it scratches its ear. But just how the grass appears so brown and dry. Almost as though this image was from mid-winter. I guess there are some areas on the reserve that have received less rainfall, or maybe this grass has been dried out by the scorching heat we have had recently.
Speaking of the airstrip, shortly after the elephant seen above crossed the airstrip, these giraffes thought it a great idea to follow suit.
Following the three Rivers Female and her cub through the Maxabene Riverbed, she leapt up this fallen tree. The cub followed shortly after, they spent a bit of time up there before descending and continuing down the riverbed.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
Leading the way, ahead of her cub. Initially, we thought they must be on their way to a carcass, but this was not the case. They were on a simple mission of just moving from one spot to another.
As she walked past the vehicle she gave us a brief glance. The intensity in her eyes is intimidating even to us in the safety of the vehicle.
Poised on a low branch of a tree, the Three Rivers Female looks back in the direction from which she had just come. Something at the tops of a few large trees had caught her attention.
A stunning image of the Three Rivers Female investigating the upper canopy of a few large jackalberry trees, after hearing what sounded like a scuffle between two large birds. We never got to see what they were. She did not come up with anything here so she continued with her mission.
After having a confrontation with her mother (The Nkoveni Female), the Plaque Rock Female stares into the distance as her mother walks off. The Plaque Rock female is tolerated in her mother’s territory as most female leopards can inherit part of their mother’s territories. I love how the giraffe stopped and watched her in the background as giraffes often stare at predators to keep an eye on them.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Sean, the picture of the Three Rivers female staring at the vehicle as she passed by, is stunning in her intensity in her eyes. Beautiful as always, TWIP, thanks.
William, it was such an amazing encounter with the Three Rivers Female, she came so close to the vehicle.
Gorgeous images, needless to say that seeing the cub growing to independence is marvellous, especially considering how hard it is for leopards. I think they are the most expressive animals and their look is deep. The elephant bull and the giraffe are majestic. As far as lions interaction i think that even large males have to be cautious when approaching a female… the leopard tortoise is too nice! That must be one of the hottest place for it. Great TWIP
Thank you so much, Francesca. You are spot on with your analysis of the individual sightings.
Wonderful pictures.
I just admire leopards! They are the most beautiful animals imaginable.
Thank you so much, Christa. Leopards are indeed the most beautiful animals out here.
Sean. The eye contact captured on the photo of the Three Rivers leopard is exciting to see leading me to remember other encounters personally. This pic however made me wonder as we talk about wildlife being relaxed or skittish around the vehicles to turn the situation around. When did Dave Varty come to realize that he and others were safe within the vehicles? That must have taken some “getting used to” as well!!!
Thank you so much, Camille. The eye contact with the Three Rivers Female feels as though she is looking into your soul. I think that in the past, the animals were not relaxed around vehicles and would run away rather than approach the vehicles. It was through extensive periods in the bush and a lot of hard work and patience that the animals eventually began to relax and feel more comfortable around the vehicles. Thus providing the viewing we get to enjoy today.
Sean. That wasn’t exactly what I was inquiring about. I have experienced the relaxation around the vehicles as well as seen your candid shots with the shyer animals. My point that I was more interested in was how long did it take the Varty’s and trackers to learn that they were indeed safe in the vehicles? Initially I would imagine that they were just as cautious as some of the wildlife???
I can just hear that giraffe telling the leopard, “Don’t even think about it!”
You can almost hear that. Well it at least looks as though the giraffe is thinking it.
Hi Sean, this week’s TWIP’s foto’s are beautiful, especially the Three Rivers Female and those staring eyes at the Rangers. Her cub is also so gorgeous and getting big so quickly. My favorite cub is the Ximungwe male cub with the spec in his eye. Yes a lioness you don’t want to mess with. Shame the tar road by the airstrip is must of been hot for the tortoise to walk on. But yet the animals love being there in the open and on the strip.
Thank you so much, Valmai. They are some stunning pictures. The cub is growing rapidly.
Fantastic image of the three Rivers Female “menacing” your vehicle. Beautiful animal!
Thank you so much, Vin. It is such a captivating image, I love the eye contact.
Great week in pictures Sean, as per normal!!
Thank you so much, Paul. Hope you are having an amazing day.
Sean, this week’s photos were awesome, especially your Three Rivers female staring at you and the elephant scratching its ear. The interaction between the male and female lions looked intense but then, the females seem to be in control except when it comes to food and a male is around.
It’s truly exciting to see the Ximungwe young male almost ready for independence. I guess if his mother falls pregnant, he will definitely be on his own.
And then the photo of the Plaque Rock female with the giraffe watching her is priceless- Great week!
Thank you so much, Denise. There were some great opportunities for us to get some amazing shots, so at the end of the day, the wildlife provided it all for us. I think the Ximungwe Young Male will still be with his mother for a little while longer. Young males are normally with their mother for about two years, and he is about a year old now.
Beautiful Sean and Tristan! We are so lucky to be able to see all these beautiful animals and you captured them perfectly!
Thank you so much, Karin.
The beauty and power of this cat
Sean and Tristan, Thanks for ann exciting set of images and stories. Sounds like things are heating up and not just because it is summer at Londolozi! We think the Three Rivers Female was definitely “checking you out”!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. Things are definitely heating up here. I agree, she had her eye on us.
Wonderful sequence of photos of the three rivers female and her cub and the spectacular photo of the elephant with a mirage on the airstrip. Not matter how busy you all are, you still brings us the most amazing photos every week. Thanks Sean and the team 🙏🏻💕
Thank you so much, Cally. The Three Rivers Female made it easy for us as she is such a relaxed female and walking along the riverbed made it such a stunning scene.
Beautiful photos this week Sean. That stare from the Three Rivers female was very intimidating. I still find it amazing that you can be safe in the vehicle with the leopards so close. Must have given you shivers just the same!
Thank you so much, Barbara. The Three Rivers Female’s stare was intense and intimidating.
Great photos this week! I am very behind in reading the blog, but always enjoy the photos and stories.