Although temperatures are beginning to drop rapidly, we have been blessed with another bout of rainfall, helping top up all the waterholes, saturate the soils and cause the seep lines to flow again. All of which will hold us in great stead as we enter the drier winter.
This week has been filled with a number of surprises, leopards have been around every corner and taken centre stage with some great sightings this week. The Nhlanguleni Female and her cubs have moved to yet another den, this one is one that she has used in the past and is relatively easy to get a vehicle to. This doesn’t guarantee that the mother will be there or that you will get a view of the cubs, but if you do it is always worth it. While still on the leopard front, the Nkuwa Female was seen a few mornings ago, revealing her belly with very fresh sucklemarks. This is incredibly exciting as we believe she has given birth to her first litter of cubs near the Londolozi boundary, furthering the Sunsetbend Lineage.
Often an ‘unrealistic’ request from seasoned safari-goers, is to see a pangolin. I say unrealistic in the sense that it would not be the most reasonable use of one’s time to search for a pangolin on a game drive as they are incredibly difficult to find, the only time we see them is when we accidentally stumble across one out in the open. This happened a handful of times this week and indeed satisfied everyone’s desire to see a pangolin.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The Nkuwa Female is seen for the first time with fresh suckle marks on her stomach. This leopardess is attempting to raise her first litter and was seen presumably hunting in the golden light that welcomes the upcoming winter.
Raised as an intact litter, first in 7 years, who has now made her own history by raising two males to independence as an intact litter.
We’ve recently had the pleasure of seeing several pangolins around Londolozi. They have caused quite a stir while out on game drive as these are sightings not to be missed.
As the pangolin rests in the grass, it allowed for an opportunity to take a closer look at the details of its scales.
The Ximungwe female searches the boughs of a nearby Marula tree as she searches for her cub. The young male meanwhile, was playing around the edges of a nearby waterhole. It took another 45 minutes before she finally found the precocious youngster.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
An elephant cow caught in the early morning light with a dark backdrop allowed for some creative juices to flow.
Another glimpse into the life of a mother leopard and her cub. The Nhlanguleni Female rests on a rock as the inquisitive young cub moves around playing with her tail.
Initially skittish female who transformed into a regular presence. Made history by raising first intact litter since her own generation.
In amongst the play time there is always a moment for affection.
Then straight back to playtime.
And to finish off a moment where they both look back towards the vehicle.
An impressive view of a Lappet-faced vulture, allowing for a great look at its enormous beak and bald head.
This male cheetah leaps into a fallen marula tree to scan his surroundings for quite some time. Although we are heading into winter and as the grasses become shorter a fallen over the tree is a perfect spot to get some elevation to look above the long grass for any potential prey or danger.
From the elevated position the cheetah scans around with its intense amber eyes.
Two of the Ndhzenga male coalition lie almost identical to each other. Both of their attention was caught at the same time by rutting impalas in the not too far distance.
Two White-backed Vultures squabble over the remains of a carcass.
A young elephant calf seeks shelter from the rain from her mother. Over the past week we had some welcomed but persistent rain, this will help with a last little flush of green before the dry season.
Only a shadow on the road as we approached, our hearts caught in our throats as the Ximungwe Female emerged from the thick morning mist.
An impressive zebra stallion looks into the distance as another harem of zebra approaches.
Growing into a fine-looking young male leopard, the Ximungwe Young Male looks back over his shoulder from within a fallen marula tree.
Born 2021, son of Ximungwe Female. Distinguished by eye freckle, grown into formidable male dominant in the west.
After all the late rain we have had the waterholes are brimming and this hippo bull has secured himself a prime spot for now.
The Ximungwe Female and her young male ‘cub’ played around on this fallen marula tree. Ranger Jess Shillaw and her guests watched on from behind.
The seldom-seen Maxim’s Male crosses the road ahead of us shortly after sunrise. Initially one of the most skittish leopards around, he is starting to relax around the vehicles and allow us the time to view him for more than just a fleeting glimpse.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
The affection between the Nhlanguleni female and her tiny cub hugging her face moved me the most this week. I felt similarly about the elephant calf sheltering under her mother. The action shots of the cheetah leaping up onto a branch and the vultures mid- squabble were a nice counterbalance.
Thank you so much, Chelsea. The interaction between the Nhlanguleni Female and her cub was priceless and so great to watch.
Kirst’s photo of the elephant calf is the winner for me. 👍🤩🙏🏻😍
Thank you so much, Marcia. Kirst’s pic of the baby elephant is great.
Thanks for the marvelous photos. Victoria
Thank you so much, Victoria.
Great parade of the most beautiful big cats! The little leopard cub is almost too gorgeous to be true… the elephant calf is extra sweet! Wonderful animals. I loved all pictures also the vultures fighting and the hippo menace, the zebra stallion looks gorgeous. The Ximungwe male looks like an adult male, very impressive. The cheetah has extra class and beauty. It is the posh one among big cats! Leopards are raw pure beauty and lions strength and might.
Thank you so much, Francesca.
SO many great shots this week! Sean’s pics of the beautiful Nhlanguleni mom and baby steal the show tho! LOVE!
Thank you so much, Anita. The affection between a mother leopard and her cubs is so amazing to watch.
Sean my favorite foto is the Nhlanguleni female and her cub when mom gives the cub affection. Secondly the elephant cow trying to protect her calf from the rain. So many beautiful fotos this week and they are all stunning.
Thank you so much, Valmai. Those are some great choices.
Lovely, thank you! Of course I really like the baby pics…………
Thank you so much, Irene. I think everyone loves pictures of the little ones, whether it be leopard cubs baby elephants or any others.
WOW! Everyone of them just breathe taking!
So enjoy looking at them over and over and over
Thank you for the share… love all the babies…
Elephants are precious ♥️
Thank you so much, Barbi.
Beautiful picture one and all! But I can’t seem to pick which of the ones with the cubby in it is my favorite! I guess I’ll pick all of them! Thanks Londolozi for taking the time to show us what you are all about!
Thank you so much, Debra. The cubs are always so cute.
Great TWIP again Sean – I particularly loved Kirst’s jumping cheetah, but this week you win it for me with the last of your pics of the Nhlanguleni female and cub. By the way, is Nkuwa’s territory anywhere near to her mother’s? (and Finfoot’s territory as well)
Thank you so much, Suzanne. The Nkuwa Female does overlap a little bit with her mother’s territory. Sadly, the Finfoot Female moved further south in search of a territory and we have not heard anything more on her since then.
Such great pictures! And, Sean, you need to tell one of those pangolins to stay safe and hang around until I get there in November! Last trip, I saw an aardvark at Samara; this time, fingers crossed for pangolin! (Sadly, the most trafficked animal in the world and so in much danger.)
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that one is found when you are here on your next visit. It must have been amazing to see an aardvark.
Sean, You’ve amazed us once again! Our favorite is the two Ndhzenga males. Two hansome devils!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. The Ndzhenga Males do look awfully handsome in that picture.
I love all your photos. They are. as always, great.
My favorites are the ones of the Nhlanguleni Female and her cub. They show so much love between mother and cub.
Thank you so much, Christa. There is so much love between a mother and her cubs.
Thanks Sean for the brilliant images you’ve posted from you and the team. Each one was special especially your series with Nhlanguleni and one of her cubs. Hopefully the second one is still around. I had heard through the “bush wire” Nkuwa has given birth to a couple of cubs and the father is purported to be Hosana. It was terrific to read such good news! Hopefully for you she’ll spend more time in Londolozi and bring her cubs. It’s almost impossible to choose a top image this week, but if pushed, I really like Kirst’s baby elephant sheltering from the rain under its mum. Your guests have certainly been rewarded with fantastic sightings of late and to see a Pangolin – that’s the grand prize! Maybe next year for me 🤞
Thank you so much, Denise. Yes, Nkuwa has given birth to two cubs. Hopefully, she will bring them across onto Londolozi when they are a little bigger.
So many wonderful choices, but I have to go with the Nhlanguleni female and her cub looking at the vehicle. Fabulous! Thanks for delighting us again!
Thank you so much, Darlene. It is a rather captivating image as both of them are looking straight into the camera.
Absolutely love these pics Londolozi team, and the Ximungwe Male is fast becoming a firm favorite; he is absolutely stunning. I have a couple of litters recorded for the Nhlanguleni Female, but is it possible you could provide a breakdown of all of her known litters? Would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Michael. Thank you so much. The Ximungwe Young Male is growing so quickly and is always great to spend time with.
I replied to your last comment asking about the previous litters of the Nhlanguleni Female. Here is our records of her litters, we have most likely missed a few due to her spending so much time in the Sand River and being difficult to find.
2015 October- 3 cubs one lost early on the other two made it to about 6 months then also lost.
2017 April- only one cub was viewed for a brief period.
2018 March- Nkuwa and Finfoot Females
2019 December- 2 cubs viewed to the west of the Londolozi camps for a few months then lost.
2020 January- 2 cubs viewed around Mhangeni Double Crossing also lost after a few months.
2020 August- 1 cub was only found when about three months old and presumed to have been born in August.
2022 March- 2 cubs are currently being raised.
Very impressive photo of the lappet faced vulture!
Thank you so much, Doug.
All the photos are fantastic. So many special moments were captured. The affection between the Nhlanguleni female and her tiny cub is an awesome photo. I love the two Ndhzenga male lions, the vultures are brilliant and the baby elephant is just gorgeous so is the pic of the cheetah sitting on the tree. Too hard to choose loved them all.
There’s so much sweetness in these photos , you could get diabetes 👀
Cracking photos
What a bonus to have had sightings of the Pangolin Sean. Loved your collection of photos of the Nhlanguleni female and her cub. Its always so difficult to pick a winner as every photo has stunning light, action and affection but I have to go with the beautiful baby elephant taking shelter under his mum this week. Well done to you all, yet again, for these fabulous images 🙏🏻💕
It was such a bonus. We have actually seen a few different pangolins in the last two weeks it has been great.
Wonderful photos this week! I really hope that Nkuwa is successful with her first litter of cubs….and we are hoping that they are Hosana’s. Nkuwa and Finfoot and Nhlanguleni are all such gorgeous females!