In this week’s endeavours, we find the Ximungwe Young Male early one morning as we leave camp and spend some time with him as he roams around the Londolozi airstrip and plonks himself down beneath the windsock. What an amazing welcome party to arrive at Londolozi to.
For the second part of the video, we go back to a sighting from April that we never had a chance to put out until now where we find a new pride of lions. Initially, we were unsure of who they were but soon work out that it must be the Talamati Pride. As we find them it looked as though they were hunting, but the prey must have moved off.
Shortly after that, we hear a few zebra in the distance which also catches the lion’s attention who get up and start walking in their direction. Within minutes the lions have caught and are fighting over a young zebra revealing to us the raw nature and ferocity of a pride of lions.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
To view the YouTube link, click here.
What a amazing video. As usual. Always, so great, to see nature unfold. Thanks for the effort, you guys always put in.
Thank you so much, Jos. I am glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for sharing this exciting encounter with the lions!
I always find it really amazing that lions work together in such a great way while hunting and then, if they are successful, they fight each other so much. This growling and hissing sounds frightening indeed. Of course, there is often only little food like in this case and all of them want the biggest pieces of meat. Survival of the fittest indeed.
The video of the young leopard is also great. It would be ever so nice to be greeted by such a beauty of a leopard on arrival at Londolozi. Next time, please ask him to come and greet me.
It is incredible to see lions hunting and exactly like you say, they work so hard together to catch the prey and then fight so aggressively to each get their piece.
I will try my best to arrange that as an arrival party next time you arrive.
Sean, We loved sharing the video with our 6 year old granddaughter! However, we only shared the first part! We can’t wait to bring our “grands” in a couple years! Awesome to see the Ximungwe Young Male at the airstrip! So cool!!!
It makes perfect sense that you did not share the second part of the video, it might be a little scary for a 6-year-old. I am glad that the Ximungwe Young Male was well received though.
Hi Sean, so wonderful to see the Ximungwe male leopard going on his own for short times, although Mom is nearby and will call him to feed. He is a stunning cat and I quite enjoyed seeing him on the airstrip lying and rolling . Gosh I felt sorry for the Zebra fowl, but that is nature. Lions are in a good condition.
Valmai, it was so great to see the Ximungwe Young Male along the airstrip and what a stunning scene with the sunrise in the background.
The Ximungwe young male you must be proud of him, he’s a magnificent male and looks quite confident. I wish him all the best. Poor little zebra, when babies don’t grow up I always feel sorry for them but it’s the price to pay when living wild and free. I never looked at lions so close when they eat and growl to each other that way, possibly because the prey was so small. Their muscles are impressive. Where do.the Talmati come from? I got lost myself with lions.
Thank you so much, Francesca. The Ximungwe Young Male is a stunning young leopard. The Talamati Pride comes from the north of Londolozi. We are gathering up as much information on them as we can and will put a blog out on them soon.
The Ximungwe Young Male is a beautiful cat! He has gorgeous eyes! What a treat to see some of the Talamati’s! The first pride I followed on a virtual safari, with Dark Mane as their main squeeze! Poor Baby Z but it will get them through until they can get something substantial! What a tussle the 3 had and then a fourth decided he wanted some too! Edge of your seat viewing right there! Thanks Londolozi!
Thank you so much, Debra. It was such a great sighting and the Talamati Pride are impressive lions.
I loved seeing the inquisitive young Ximungwe male out on the airstrip, trying to figure out the blue boxes, and then just walking away. He reminds me so much of his half brother.
Then, incredible sights and sounds of the Talmati pride after taking down the zebra foal. Yea, it’s sad to think of the life that might have been, but that’s how the species survives. Great job!
Thank you so much, Denise. The Ximungwe Young Male provides us with some amazing sightings.
It is sad for the young zebra but in at the end of the day it is a matter of survival out here and it was just a pity that it was that young zebras time.
Great video of the Talamati lion pride devouring a zebra. Thanks for sharing Sean. Seems like they might be in for a fight for territory in the future.
Thank you so much, William. They could be slowly settling themselves here and likely to be around for a little longer.
Fabulous footage. To see that musculature of the lionesses as each held onto the kill and then the young male and his superior strength in just taking it away-wow! Powerful graceful animals. Great filming! I always live seeing the antics of the Ximungwe Young Male. He is such a beauty too! Is there any news on the Tsalala lioness?
Thank you so much, Johanna. Lions are such formidable animals and when you get to see them fighting over a carcass at such close proximity you get a true sense of their power.
The Ximungwe Young Male always seems to provide great sightings and following him around is such fun.
I believe the Tsalala Female is doing well. She has been spending a lot of time in the Sand River so we have not seen her all too much.
Incredible footage Sean. Brought back so many memories. We also saw a poor zebra brought down by lions when we were there but there were only 2 lions not the large pride seen in your video. Loved seeing the beautiful Ximungwe Young male!
Thank you so much, Jennifer. It was such an intense sighting with so many lions fighting for their share.