Another week goes by with some incredible sightings of a variety of different animals, however, this week is still dominated by the large predators. We spend some time with the last remaining Ntsevu Cubs of the Birmingham Males. As well as the Tsalala Female still in fantastic condition, attempts to scale a tree in order to steal a carcass from the Senegal Bush Male. The tree-climbing lions of Londolozi might be becoming a thing.
The leopards always seem to provide some quality sightings too. The Ximungwe Young Male is once again seen in the exact same dead leadwood that he was seen in a few months ago by Dan and Jess. The Nkoveni Young Females spend the morning playing and the Three Rivers Female goes about a territorial patrol.
Dotted in amongst the excitement of the large predators are a few giraffes, zebra and buffalo.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
A young cub from the Ntsevu Pride. This cub is one of the last offspring of the Birmingham Coalition. This was a great moment to capture as the young female glanced at us through the thicket. She was busy feeding on a kudu kill that her mother had made the day before. After getting a few pictures of the incredible scene, we decided to sit and watch the rest of the sighting unfold, taking the odd picture but also enjoying listening to the crunching and action around the kill.
Another incredible scene of the Ximungwe Young Male in a dead leadwood. In a recent sighting, we saw this adventurous young male climb up ad rest in the exact same dead tree that he did a few months ago.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
Many rangers and wildlife photography enthusiasts dream to see a leopard in a dead leadwood, let alone the same leopard climb the same dead tree more than once.
A buffalo cow glances over towards us from within a sea of other buffalo.
The Ntsevu Young Males are growing into impressive young male lions.
Dust bathing is an effective way to rid oneself of any pesky biting flies and other insects.
Early one morning we spent some time with the Ximungwe Young Male as he moved around sticking to the roads and avoiding the dew-soaked grass.
There almost seems to not be a sighting of the two Nkoveni Young Females where they are not playing with each other.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
Also young and playful but rather with a spot pattern of 3:2. She is slightly bigger than her sister.
As the sun was setting in the background this zebra turned to face us.
The stunning Three Rivers Female is on a patrol in search of her next meal in order to provide for her rapidly growing young male cub.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
While busy feeding on a buffalo kill, this lioness glances up at a number of incoming vultures.
Amidst a gentle necking battle these two giraffes were honing their fighting skills.
The Tsalala Female poises in the morning light next to a small termite mound gazing into the distance at a herd of impala.
Having sniffed out the Senegal Bush Male with an impala kill hoisted into a tree, she began a not-so-graceful ascent to attempt to steal the carcass.
The intensity of the eyes of this young cub from the Ntsevu Pride makes this the picture of the week for me. And the patch of blood on it’s nose.
There is definitely an intense connection with the eye contact of the young lion.
My favorite? The Nkoveni young females playing. So fun to see it before life gets serious for them. Thank you for feeding my thirst for Africa.
It is such a great image. I love the interactions between young leopards, and like you say the fun before everything gets very serious for them.
Sean, the picture of the Ntsevu cub is stunning. Thanks for TWIP.
You are most welcome, William. I agree that the Ntsevu cub is a stunning shot.
The color leopard in the leadwood by Chris wins for me this week. 👍
Thanks, Marcia. That is a cracking shot by Chris.
All pictures are absolutely stunning like the animals they portray and feelings they convey. It’s too a difficult choice… I’m too happy to see the Tsalala female! Acting like a leopard… that picture could be a nr1. Also the three river female, the Nkoveni youngsters and the giraffe.. but the look of the lion cub that has escaped so many danger is unique. Young and innocent but still hard-pressed by life. She bears a sort of wisdom. This is my choice
Thank you so much, Francesca. There are some great pics to choose from this week making it difficult but that young lion is a cracker.
So many choices, only one vote, how do I choose?! Well it was tight, but I had to go with my heart and choose Barry’s photo of the Tsalala female up the tree. She looks wonderful – well nourished, muscular, just like a young female should be. Obviously she’s faring well on her own, just like her mother. The Nkoveni twins look great too and are so big.
Any sightings of Mashaba and her cubs or Nhlanguleni? I see that Nkuwa has a cub now too in the property next to you – seems there’s been a baby boom. It’s terrific that the species are doing so well and a testament to the work that conservation plays in keeping their environment safe and healthy. Thanks Sean!
The Tsalala Female is doing so well at the moment. Every time we see her she appears to be thriving.
Sightings of the Mashaba Female have been scarce and so we are not too sure where she has moved her cubs to. The Nhlanguleni Female has been spending a lot of time with her cubs in the Sand River making it difficult to view them too.
How nice to see a photo of the young Tsalala lioness again. She seems well fed and in very good condition.
Also good to see that the Ntsevu prides youngsters are doing well.
I love your leopard photos! Can’t get enough of them.
And, last but not least, the photos of the giraffes, the zebra and the elephant are so beautiful. Thanks!
The Tsalala Female is doing so well. Thanks so much, Christa. There was a great selection of images this week.
The image of the young female cub is a winner for me! Her direct stare, unscarred face and the tad of red make it a very special capture.
That is a great image. The intensity in the stare is so captivating.
Oh, you make this difficult! 😂 The Tsalala female is beautiful, the lioness looking up at the vultures is very intriguing, the photo of one of the last cubs of the Birmingham males is fantastic, but my heart always leads me back to the Three Rivers female. She is beautiful, strong, and determined. That photo reflects that! My pick of the pics!
The shot of the Three Rivers Female is also a great one.
Loved seeing the Tsalala Female in a majestic pose as well as a clumsy climb.
It seeems as though a buffalo in a crowd always finds the camera.
It has been so great that the Tsalala Female has stuck around. Let’s hope she stays here. It does appear that a buffalo always seems to find the camera while in a crowd.
Ntsevu sub adult on the termite mound is my pic of the week! Such an intense stare! Tsalala Female is looking very good and full, it probably didn’t help her when she climbed the tree, lol. What a great week in the bush you all had! Thanks for sharing!
It has been a great week thanks, Debra.
The Tsalala female sitting on a termite mound reminded me instantly of Elsa of Born Free fame, I simply love big cats but lions have a special place in my heart.
I guess there is some resemblance there.
Kyle’s pic of the Nkoveni sisters playing gets my vote this week, but I am totally intrigued by the Tsalala female climbing the tree. How close did she get to the Senegal Bush male and his kill?
Kyle’s image is a fantastic one. She got very close, but then the carcass fell out of the tree and she halted her advance on the Senegal Bush Male and descended the tree. We will put a blog out on it this week.
Hi Sean, it’s good to see the Tsalala female is doing well on her own. The Ntsevu young males are stunning and are going to be beautiful lions. Loved all the leopard foto’s. Buffalo foto so unique and absolutely amazing.
It is great that the Tsalala Female is doing so well. Thank you so much, Valmai.
Love love love the Tsalala female. I’m also glad that the remaining Ntsevu cubs are still around. I hope they all survive.
Thank you so much, Lisa. I hope the Sub-adults survive too.
Oh, Sean, can’t I just choose all of them? I so miss my animals and safari. I am thankful for you all bringing me a piece of Londolozi on a daily basis!
Thank you so much, Linda. I am glad we get to share this amazing place with everyone across the globe.
Why do buffaloes almost always grin??
I love the Tsalala female, but I sure hope that she stays away from our leopards! The photos are terrific this week!