“The Greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.” Robert Swan.
Today, the 22nd of April, marks Earth Day. Earth Day is dedicated to supporting and creating awareness around environmental protection. This year, their official theme is ‘Invest In Our Planet’. At Londolozi, we’re firm believers in doing our part 365 days of the year. So, in essence, everyday is Earth Day because when you visit Londolozi, you are doing far more than immersing yourself in a thrilling wildlife experience. You are helping with the development and socio-economic wellbeing of a whole human ecosystem through community upliftment, rural education, healthcare and the creation of protected areas in which rhinos and other iconic species can roam freely… these are just a few of the ways in which your safari is having a positive impact on the reserve and its surrounding areas. Your safari means the power to improve the lives of both people and wildlife. Your safari is an investment in our planet.
With that in mind, enjoy some of the exquisite creatures that call our planet home, enjoy This Week in Pictures…
The three Ndzhenga Male lions move through Londolozi mid-morning seaming as though they were on a mission. Male lions on the move always provide some great photographic opportunities, and this morning did not disappoint. We also spend some time with the Ntsevu lion pride and the surviving youngsters where the mothers were successful in bringing down a wildebeest for the cubs to feed on. In amongst the lions, we enjoy a selection of birdlife that are always fun to photograph.
The mother cheetah and her young sub-adult have also been around and on a cool rainy morning entertained us for a while upon a termite mound, more on this on Sunday. A brief view of the Senegal Bush Male as he rests up in the dense canopy of a large tree is then followed by a stunning scene of the Plaque Rock Female leopard after Tracker, Euce, spotted her from an enormous distance away.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The three Ndzhenga Males were on a serious mission, which led them through the middle of Londolozi. Unsure if they were responding to the presence or scent of another lion in the area, they moved silently but with some serious intent.
Perched on the top of a dead tree, this Black-shouldered Kite uses its phenomenal eyesight to scan for any prey moving about in the grass below.
Their patrols took them through the reserve and up onto our airstrip.
A menacing look from the dominant Ndzenga Male as he marches down the Londolozi airstrip.
By sitting still and enjoying the scenery, while listening out for any alarm calls or signals that other animals may be around, often one will begin to notice the smaller lesser-seen things. Such as this fairly shy Green-winged Ptyllia revealed itself and hopped up onto this fallen Buffalo thorn tree revealing itself in plain sight and making for a pretty stunning shot.
The three Ndzhenga Males made their way towards the Sand River where they eventually crossed through the river. The furthest north they have been since when they first arrived on Londolozi.
The mother cheetah and her youngster once again provide us with a great sighting, during a period of gentle drizzle. After resting for a little while the young cheetah found a burst of energy and went charging around the mound that the mother was resting on.
Nearly time to move on, so the mother stood up to scan the surroundings.
The Cheetah Duo have provided such great sightings of late, making a mission down into the deep southwestern grasslands in search of them definitely worth it.
The well-worn ossicones and calcified forehead of this male giraffe highlight the numerous battles for dominance that this male would have endured. Earning him the rights to females and mating opportunities.
One of the Ntssevu Mothers fixated on a herd of wildebeest in the distance. Eyes locked onto her prey.
The three Ntsevu Cubs watch the herd of Wildebeest from a distance. Learning valuable skills from their mothers to one day become amazing hunters too.
The Ntsevu Lionesses were successful in their Wildebeest hunt. The cubs got to feed first while the Lionesses rested in the shade catching their breath. The raw nature of lions is revealed in this shot with its face covered in blood, even in their innocent youth.
A young vervet monkey looks on at a leopard in the distance as its troop members at the top of the tree above alarm call.
After hearing the monkey’s alarm calling, we were pretty certain that there was a leopard nearby. We spent about 10 minutes searching the immediate area that the monkeys were in but couldn’t find anything. As we widened our search area, tracker Euce Madonsela spotted the Plaque Rock female draped over the branch of a marula tree. The monkeys had seen her from nearly a kilometre away!
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
After descending the marula tree, the Plaque Rock Female moved with purpose through the long grass. She clearly had her eyes set on something in the distance but we weren’t quite sure what. A few minutes later, she led us straight to a mother rhino and her tiny calf. The leopard was incredibly curious about the young rhino who was a month old at the most.
The Three older Ntsevu Sub-adults all huddled up on a cool rainy afternoon.
Always adding some colour to the bush. Lilac-breasted Rollers are stunning when caught against the bright white background if you can manage to get the exposure right.
The intimidating stare of the Senegal Bush Maleas as he locks eyes with you from the canopy of a large tree.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
A Western Cattle Egret sits upon a dead tree watching a herd of buffalo move along beneath it. Often accompanying the buffalo herd in order to feed on the abundance of insects that are associated with the large bovines, such as flies and other insects flushed from the grass as they move around feeding.
Great selection of photos Londolozi team, really like the lion focus or central photos this week! Glad to see the Ntsevu youngsters are still doing well! Any sign of pregnancy of cubs from the Plaque Rock Female as of yet?
Thank you, Michael. We were spoilt with some great lion sightings. No signs yet, but I am sure if she is pregnant we will start to notice soon.
Gosh, you make it hard to choose with all these lions, leopards and incredible birds! But I will pick the 3 lion cubs sitting in the rain by Sean. That should be framed and displayed at Londolozi! Thanks for making us smile this morning in the US.
Thank you so much, Darlene. The three cubs were really cute all huddled up together.
Lots to admire in the photographs this week. My favorite is Chris Taylor’s Ndzenga Male Lion. Great composition using blk and white to highlight everything a dominant male lion is about!
Thank you so much, Marcia. I agree that the lion shot by Chris is amazing.
Super photos, Jess Shillaw’s graphic lion picture is one I would love to have taken
Thank you so much, Ian. It is a rather graphic but fantastic shot by Jess.
My favorite image is the 3 lion cubs lying next to one another to get warm. They are so beautiful and those eyes tell a story. Also the Plague rock female draped over a branch is always a winner for me. Fantastic foto’s once again Sean.
Thank you so much, Valmai. Those are two great images.
I love the blue balled monkeys……………..;)
Haha, there is something amusing about monkeys isn’t there?
Sean, TWIP’s is just super. Great pictures especially with the lions.
Thank you so much, William. The lions did feature strongly this week.
A tough choice again, but this week I’m going with Chris’ gorgeous shot of Plaque Rock in the tree. How did the female rhino react to Plaque Rock’s interest in her calf?
Thank you so much, Suzanne. The image of the Plaque Rock Female is great. I believe that they got a little disgruntled and then ran away.
These pictures are stunning! I so enjoyed them. Although I will probably never make it to Africa, seeing the animals in their environment, hunting, and acting naturally means so much to me. I have wanted to visit my whole life, maybe someday….. The intent,somewhat unpleasant look on the male lions faces tipped me off that they have something on their minds! The birds were a joy to see. I have a couple of New World parrots myself so I’m very interested in bird life. Your bolds are fascinating and informative and I really look forward to them.$
Thank you so much, Carolyn. I am so glad that you enjoy these blogs. I hope you are able to make it across to Africa one day.
For this Earth day, I think the mother cheetah picture, for her class and beauty and her rarity, thanks to human eagerness. Thanks for what you do for all those species, which are more or less endangered. Leopards are always perfection, great picture of the menacing dominant Ndzenga male and I’m glad the cubs are all still alive, lions and cheetah. Lovely pictures of the male giraffe and birds, I always like them all but especially the lilac breasted roller.
Thank you so much, Francesca. There are a lot of great images this week to choose from.
Amazing photos as usual.
I love the beautiful and colourful little bird.
And I completely agree with you that Every safari is an investment in the future . If it is done in a respectful way towards the animals
Thank you so much, Christa. Indeed every safari is an investment in the future.
It’s another tough week of choices, but I narrowed it down to a draw between the Ntsevu sub adults and the framed face of the Senegal Bush male, both equally worthy of the title “best of week”. The diversity of subjects is great this week , giving us a glimpse into the movements of the big cats, portraits of a couple of avians and the vervet monkeys. It appears that there is a lot of activity within the reserve right now, giving staff and guests an opportunity to make new discoveries or just catch up to previous sightings. Thanx Sean!
Some really good pics Sean and nice to see the birds. Lots of big cats. Thanks for sharing – enjoyed them all.
Thank you, Leonie.
As much as a I love all the big cats, I can’t help but favor our leopard sprawled out on the tree branch!
Thanks, Sean for keeping me at Londolozi if only virtually for now.
Thank you so much, Linda. I am so glad that we are able to share little snippets of the ongoings here with everyone across the world. Leopards draped over the branches of trees are always a highlight.
The green-winged pytillia was my favorite this week.
Thank you so much, Chelsea.
Sean, This is a very tough set of images to pick a favorite from! However, we like the image os the three Ntsevu Cubs!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. I guess it is a good thing that it is such a challenge to choose one picture each week.
Great pics! Loving the cheetah!
It has been so lovely being able to see the cheetah fairly regularly.
So great to see Plaque Rock and Senegal Bush male doing well. Any signs of cubbies yet with Plaque Rock?
No signs as of yet. I am sure if she is pregnant that we will start to see something soon.
Images truly capture the intensity of a species when they locks their eyes on potential prey
I completely agree, Vin. That eye contact is immensely powerful.
I’m a little late this week so no doubt the final choice of the week has been named. What a fabulous selection to celebrate Earth Day Sean! Just loved the three Ntsevu Cubs as not only is the picture fabulous but it brings me hope that they might make it to adulthood. The cheetah cub is close behind too as they are such a rare sight to see these days and so vulnerable with all the other predators around. Thank you Sean and team ❤️ Happy belated Earth Day
Thank you so much, Cally. I hope the young lions make it to adulthood, but it is still a long road ahead for them.