This week’s Virtual Safari allows us a chance to revisit the excitement of the search for the Nhlanguleni Female’s den and eventually being able to find the cubs and with it the reward of a sighting of a lifetime.
In amongst the various drives and attempts to find the den we find a single Ndzhenga Male and three Ntsevu Females resting in the shade. Seeing vultures stream overhead we hope that they may lead us to a kill.
And elephants around a body of water are always entertaining. We see a small herd of elephants marching in the direction of the Sand River, in anticipation of them coming down for a drink we set up on the open banks hoping for a great view of them quenching their thirst.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
To view the YouTube link, click here.
Thank you Sean, that was beautiful. I could watch Nhlanguleni carrying her cub all day long, also the ellies by the river.
By the way, I’ve noticed over the last month or so that replies to my comments don’t appear in my emails any more – I tried unticking and re-ticking the box but that hasn’t worked.
I think I could also sit there all day watching her carry the cubs.
Thank you for letting me know I will see what we can do to restore that function and hopefully get it back up and running soon.
I’ve experienced the same issue Sean. Also, I can’t share stories via email any longer….
The elephant babies fooling around on the river are so cute!
And what a fantastic thing to be able and see the leopard mother carry her cubs to a new den sight. Amazing.
Thank you so much, Christa. It was such a bonus to see the mother carrying her cub.
Sean this week’s video is an extra bonus with the two tiny cubs of the Nhlanguleni female. What phenomenal footage and the cubs are so gorgeous with their little pink tongue showing when being carried by mom. She is so proud and protective towards them and rightly so. Good to see one of the Ndhzenga male lions with three Ntsevu females.
Thank you so much, Valmai. It was such an amazing sighting.
Sean, you definitely hit the “mother load” of leopard sightings! It was so wonderful to see how she gently carries her cub. We are with you and hoping that the cubs make it! The elephants at the water hole were really cute. It was fun to see the young ones rolling around. Identifying the flight patterns of the vultures for the lions was a nice education too!
I definitely think we did strike gold with that leopard sighting. I am glad you learnt something small from this Virtual Safari.
Big cats parade and elephants are always so relaxing, I like to watch them after dinner and rest. To see such a perfect, adorable little cub with its mum warms the heart. Also elephant calves are very cute!
Thank you so much, Francesca. It was certainly a big cat parade.
Phenomenal sighting of the mother leopard and her cubs being carried to a new den. Thanks Sean.
Thank you so much, William. It was such a magical sighting.
Thanks Sean for including the video again of Nhlanguleni moving her cub from the old den to its new home. I never tire of watching clips like this. The slow motion really shows the strength and determination of this mom. How fortunate you were to witness this moment and capture it for all of us to see.
The little elephants were so funny playing under mom as she drank. So much patience illustrated there as the one was trying to take a dirt bath and kept slipping into the mother!
The lions look well- fed and healthy. I don’t think the Ndhzenga males are quite as handsome as the Birmingham or Othawa males, but they’re formidable which is all that counts!
Great safari week!
Thank you so much, Denise. It was such an amazing sighting. I wish I could go back and experience it again.
Hi i thought the same but didn’t want to “declassify” the Ndzenga males. Birmingham males were so beautiful and the Othawa male… he was probably the most handsome male lion I’ve ever seen. Such a pity
I’m with you there Francesca! The Othawa male was the most gorgeous lion I’ve ever seen whilst on Safari. I’m so grateful I was able to spend time viewing him!
Hahahahaha, you should see me sitting behind the computer, hands cupped behind the ears, listening for the cub sounds………………. Lovely video, thank you again!!
Haha that is fantastic. I hope you could hear them in the end.
Wonderful to finally watch the virtual Safari again on a bigger screen Sean. What a stupendous week !!…that cute little growling coming from the bush melted my heart as did the final glimpse of one of the cubs at the end. But sooo enjoyed the wonderful slow motion clips of the Nhlanguleni female carry her cub. What a treat indeed for you and us all. When you were trying to locate her earlier and decided you were getting too close to that narrow passage, there was a fabulous bird calling – what was it Sean? Could have watched those two mischievous baby Eli’s all afternoon mucking around under their mothers feet …just super. Thanks for a perfectly fab recap on your week. 🙏🏻❤️
It was a great week, thanks for watching. That is a Southern Boubou calling when we were walking in the riverbed.
Thanks Sean for naming the bird ..will look it up so I will know more about it for that great moment when i will actually get to see them at Londolozi 🙏🏻