Often venturing into the northern reaches of Londolozi, we embark on a mission to explore some of the more scenic parts of the reserve. The “North” as we call it is beautifully decorated with undulating hills that rise up from densely vegetated dry river beds.
An elevated view of the picturesque Manyelethi riverbed. Translated into English from XiTsonga, the word “Manyelethi” means, “river of stars”
The already stunning scenery is then further embellished by an assortment of rocky outcrops, referred to as ‘koppies’ home to the mountaineering klipspringer. Running through the heart of the North winds the Manyelthi River with its expansive sandy riverbed and enormous stands of formidable trees.
Just merely driving through the north from Ximpalapala crest towards Ximpalapala koppie, along the Manyelethi past Marthly pools or reaching as far north as the renowned “leadwood forest”, many are awestruck and often pass the comment that they didn’t need to see anything that particular game drive and would still be satisfied with their excursion into the wilderness.
However, the north is an exciting part of the reserve to drive at the best of times, there is something about going out there not quite knowing what to expect. With some of the largest blocks in the Sabi Sands without a road occurring there, sometimes finding animals can be a challenge as the tracks cross over the road into the large block and do not come out the other side.
This all changed a little while ago when Ranger Shadrack Mkhabela and Tracker Equaliser Ndlovu stumbled across something exhilarating.
The Xinzele Female’s den.
The first view for Shadrack and Equaliser was something very similar to this view of mine a few days later.
Northern territory specialist born 2017. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly's dramatic lands
Barely even knowing that the Xinzele Female was pregnant, we had not yet started focusing on trying to find her. However, this surprise was welcomed with arms wide open. From what Shadrack and Equaliser could see at the time, there were at least two cubs, possibly about two to three weeks old; and she was keeping them in a cluster of boulders where she had initially kept her last litter.
Ecstatic with this news, we had to have a look for ourselves and were greeted with the below scene.
A somewhat brief sighting of her at the den, but a sighting nonetheless.
Having chosen such a great den, we couldn’t have been happier. There are so many nooks and crannies, logs and clusters of boulders, as well as thick grass to hide in should the cubs need to avoid being seen. More than that, the viewing potential for us around the den was fantastic while still being a safe and secure den for the cubs. Over the few weeks after finding the den here were some of the highlights we managed to capture.
The gorgeous Xinzele Female resting on the boulders near the den in the late afternoon light.
One of the cubs is far more adventurous than the other and would venture out on to the grass near the den.
Such curious and inquisitive little creatures.
Sneaking out into the open the cub looks up and makes eye contact with the camera for a brief moment.
WHile playing with its simbling one of the cub then pokes its head out through a gap in the foliage of the den.
The Two cubs playing on their mother as she attempts to get a little rest.
There is no rest for mother.
No matter how hard she tries.
Our only issue is the proximity of the den to the northern boundary of Londolozi, as the Xinzele Female has been spending a fair amount of time to the north of Londolozi and unless you find her at the den, there is a high chance that you will follow her tracks across the boundary, which can be rather frustrating.
Descending a marula tree.
Although the den has provided some amazing viewing for those lucky enough to follow her back to the den or find her there during a game drive, such as the beginning of this Virtual Safari, she has already begun moving the cubs to new dens and possibly even taking them to a carcass to begin feeding on meat, some of which have been north of the boundary.
It is fantastic news that there is another female leopard on Londolozi currently raising cubs, and with her being found in the north it adds even more reason to go and explore some of the most scenic areas of Londolozi.
We often drive back into the area around the den hoping that she would have returned with the little cubs and hope to one day find them playing about on the boulders again. After finishing off a carcass, the mother is most likely to leave the cubs in a temporary den while she patrols her territory in order to demarcate the boundaries, and search for her next meal. During this time the cubs may potentially get left at the old den and we long for that day.
Amazing footage-thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Marc.
Sean, Thanks for sharing this story! The images are beautiful and the video was captivating. We loved how the Xinzele Female was so tentative in the mud. We saw her mother (who is beautiful too!) on our visit in 2019 and didn’t know she had a successful cub!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. The Xinzele Female is stunning, very much like her mother was. They in fact have the exact same spot pattern on their cheeks, so it became fairly difficult to tell them apart unless you focused on the signs of ageing on the mother.
Wow! Londolozi has become a nursery school for leopard cubs. Striking image of the Xinzele Female’s eyes.
Never really noticed how “active” a tail is.
We are spoilt at the moment with the number of young cubs running around. We just hope that a few of these young cubs survive to independence. The Xinzele Female’s eyes are intense and that is such a striking image of her.
A leopard’s tail is never still.
Superb
Thanks, Ian.
This is a very exciting development Sean, and the footage is amazing! The capture of the mother leopard’s leap was as graceful as it was stunning!!!
Thank you so much, Paul. We have been very lucky to be in the right place at the right time and have the ability to capture some amazing moments.
Such good news Sean and I’m sure you are all excited about these little beauties of the Xinzele females cubs. Mom has her work cut out for her, no rest for her. Gorgeous video showing the cubs so beautifully. The scenery there in the North is so beautiful.
It is such great news, Valmai. The north is stunning and now that we have the reason of going searching for the Xinzele Female and her cubs, it is even more attractive.
Beautiful sighting Sean, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, William.
How exciting to have another leopard denning on Londolozi! We saw Xinzele during our visit in April, a real beauty. Any thoughts in the likely father?
It is indeed a very exciting development to have another female leopard denning on Londolozi. She is a stunning leopard. The father is likely to be the Flat Rock Male as the Xinzele Female falls right within his territory.
I’m speechless – another female with cubs! There’s certainly been a baby boom as of late. In my opinion, In my opinion, I think she’s the most beautiful of the current roster of females, like her mother who I saw in 2018. I have many photos of the Ingrid Dam female and her daughter is a carbon copy of o place their photos side by side. Is it true Nkuwa had cubs possibly fathered by Hosana? It’s a shame what happened to him. Thank you for the video, especially the bit where she “pussyfooted” in the mud before the jump!
There is indeed a baby boom happening at Londolozi. We believe that the Nkuwa Female’s cubs were fathered by the Hosana Male.
Any idea who the father might be?
We presume the father to be the Flat Rock Male as the Xinzele Female’s territory is slap bang in the middle of the Flat Rock Male’s territory.
Wow, this is really fantastic news: another mother and cubs. They are just so super cute. And the mother is a real beauty! How lucky you are with so many tiny leopards.
The video is great: How she tries to avoid getting her paws muddy. Thanks for the wonderful photos and video.
Indeed some more great news coming out of Londolozi. We are thrilled to have another leopard den here. Thank you so much, Christa.
Wonderful photos Sean. Definitely a stunningly beautiful area. Loved the video clip. Another two cubs to add to the “Leopards of Londolozi”.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. It is so stunning in the north and very exciting that we have some more tiny cubs on Londolozi.
Both mother and cubs have a wonderful rosettes pattern, she is slender and powerful and has a lovely face and eyes. Three real beauties, too cute cubs! I can’t stop looking at them they are real jewels
Thank you so much, Francesca. They are real beauties indeed.
I love seeing Xinzele again……first saw her in July 2019 as a young female and thought that she was quite the beauty (like her big sister Xidulu, too). Hope that she does well with this litter of sweeties! And PLEASE grab some scat from Nkuwa’s little cubbie as soon as anyone can! We would love to have some Panthera DNA data on this cub!
Love these pictures Sean, leopard cubs are always adorable! She has lost one of the cubs sadly since then. The cubs’ could be fathered by the Tortoise Pan Male as she was seen mating with him a few months back (followed him as far north as the Djuma property).