And just like that, the first month of 2023 is already something of the past. To wrap up the end of January, the bush has provided us with some incredible sightings this week.
Following on from the exciting news from last week, we were thrilled to find that one of the Ntsevu Females had introduced her five cubs to the rest of the pride in an open clearing. We spent time with the cubs and their mothers while they suckled and milled about, with two of the Ndzhenga Males laying close by. It was amazing to see these cubs away from the den and hopefully begin their journey with the rest of the pride.
On the leopard front, with the long grass in the peak of summer, we find that they often frequent trees and termite mounds to further scan their surroundings, as seen by many of the images this week. The Ntomi Male is still around and providing some fantastic game viewing. His youthful nature often leads him to stalk prey much larger than him as he hones in hunting techniques.
The Three Rivers Young Male was also found resting in a large Jackalberry scanning the horizon whilst he waited for his mother to return. The Three Rivers Female was spotted contact calling in the Maxabene Riverbed in search of reuniting with her cub. And lastly, the elusive Mawelawela Male also makes an appearance for an afternoon.
In addition to the cats, the rainy season and hot days have drawn many animals to the water holes in the afternoons surrounded by lush hues of green. It is amazing to see the new life that comes with a change in season and we look forward to what’s to come.
The Ranger has also recently been out to experiment with the new telescope photographing the night sky.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Amazing to see the claws of this little lion cub as its mother lay unphased as the cub played around her head.
This cub unable to suckle as the rest of the siblings left him no space, lay on its mother’s head instead.
Sightings of lion cubs dont get much better than this as the young ones play around in the open with the view of them unobstructed.
One of the five cubs decided to climb on top of its mother as some of its other litter mates were suckling.
Kirst and I spent time watching these five cubs suckle from their mother and playfully mill about between the two lionesses lying out in the open.
A face of playful innocence and ferocious potential.
A curious cub ventured a few steps away from its mother and in our direction before stopping to eye out the vehicles. It gave us a big (little) yawn before resting its head on its paws.
The full-bellied Ndzhenga lies in the shade of a guarri tree as the rest of the pride and the five cubs play nearby.
The Three Rivers Young Male rests in a tall jackalberry as he scans his surroundings.
Born 2021, son of Three Rivers Female. Once playful cub turned skittish post independence. Striking golden coat.
The Ntomi Male spots a bachelor herd of male kudu up ahead and even though the prey is way out of his league, his tail swings with excitement as he stares one of the males down.
Born 2021, son of Ximungwe Female. Distinguished by eye freckle, grown into formidable male dominant in the west.
Predator in sight. Two male kudus watch intently as the Ntomi Male moves through the area.
The perfect pose by the Ntomi Male as something catches his attention in the distance.
After being constantly alarmed at the Ntomi Male took refuge in the leaves of a Marula tree
The Three Rivers Female was seen contact calling in the Maxabene in the afternoon shade.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
The Three Rivers Female was framed perfectly by the surrounding branches as she walks across a small branch of a fallen over marula tree.
A rare sighting of the elusive Mawelawela Male as he scent-marked in the open grasslands before resting on top of a termite mound. This area has long grass and can be difficult to find this leopard.
Born 2013, initially a fairly aggressive elusive male that has somewhat relaxed. Found in unconventional leopard territory of the grasslands
A klipspringer poses on top of some prominent boulders in the northern parts of our reserve.
While watching a giraffe drink at a waterhole these Red-billed Oxpeckers continued to groom the giraffe. As the giraffe went down to drink and flicked his head to shadow the water, it surprised the Oxpecker who flew off the giraffe.
The Plaque Rock female used the marula tree as a vantage point. The moody rainy skies and fading light created an unforgettable backdrop as she began to descend the tree.
Born 2018, skilled huntress and determined mother. Dominated Sand River territory until her tragic end in 2024.
After following two lionesses they lay down in an open area to rest. Distant zebra caught her attention as she crouched down to the ground and lowered her head as she stared directly at them. She remained unmoved for at least a minute as she worked out what she was going to do next.
As we headed out on our search for lions, we paused to watch a herd of elephants satisfy their morning thirst at a lush water hole in a small leadwood forest. The early morning’s golden rays illuminate the scene.
After searching for the Wild Dogs for a couple of days they appeared on our airstrip having covered a large portion of the reserve in their morning hunt. The pack began to play as the rest of the dogs joined to soak up the morning sun before moving into the shade for the remainder of the day.
After getting the new telescope we headed out one evening to star gaze and do some ightsky photography. Using a slow shutter speed captured the silhouette of a dead Knobthorn Tree with the back drop of our beautiful night sku.
What an amazing week in photos. I especially love the leopard walking down the tree branch!!! outstanding
Thanks very much Mark!
Wow, A fabulous set of pictures. One of the best looking leopards and adorable lion cubs. Thank you
Thank you Susan! Kirst and I were over the moon when we got to spend some time with the lion cubs.
Fantastic shots this week! The views of the lion cubs stole my heart. What a wonderful way to start my day. Thank you.
Thanks Deb. I am so glad you enjoyed this week’s images.
The lion cubs are adorable! Same can be said about all the leopards. Especially the Ntomi male is such beautiful animal.
By the way: It’s quite rare, isn’t it, for a lioness to have five cubs? Do they have a fair chance of survival or will the weakest one be pushed away by its siblings?
Thanks for all the wonderful photos.
Thanks Christa! I am glad you enjoyed this week’s images.
We understand a lioness can have up to 6 cubs in a litter, with them more commonly having around 2-4 cubs. Given that the mother has 4 teats, with 5 cubs we do see a fair amount of competition at feeding time amongst the siblings, but I think it is a little too soon to say whether one will become much weaker than the rest.
Kate my favorite foto this week is your foto of the Ntomi male leopard perfectly positioned in the tree. Then the lion cubs are adorable and the foto of the cub yawning is very cute. Kirst foto taken at night is absolutely stunning.
Thanks Valmai! Those few images are definitely a few of my favourite too.
The photo of the two attentive kudus was impressive.
Thank you Doug!
Excellent week of photography, thanks for bringing me back to Londolozi!
Thank you Rob! Hope to see you and Hilary back here in the near future!
Amazing pictures. The cubs are so precious!
Thank you Sandra! They are just too adorable.
What an excellent group of images this week, Kirst and Kate! The lion cubs are beyond cute, the leopard shots so special. I’ve never seen the Mawelawela Male and hope to do so later this year. Great shot of the klipspringer, too!
Thanks very much Mary Beth! We look forward to seeing you back here later this year.
These photos are all stunning – thank you!
Thank you Kellie!
Loved the Plaque Rock Female, the lions cubs and the oxpecker with giraffe as well. What a great week of sightings!
Thank you Kara! Those images are true favorites from this week.
Wow, Kate! Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Exploring and an amazing photographer. Are you sure you’re not violating some kind of anti-trust law?
Hehe thank you Michael! I am still learning and in an environment like the african wilderness, you learn something new every single day!
This set of pictures were just THE BEST!!! We really miss Londolozi, Thank you for these outstanding photos you share with us. We look forward every day to see what adventures you have found.
Thank you Barbie! I am so glad you enjoyed Kirst and my images from this week.
Kate, great photographs this week. The lions and their cubs are amazing. I think my favorite is the Three Rivers Female walking soon the Marula tree branch.
Thank you William! I was so excited when she walked down the branch and we were in the perfect position to capture that moment.
oh that Ntomi Male! Kirst pic in the Marula tree with the green contrast is phenomenal!
Thank you Anita! It really is an awesome image!
A few favourites this week for me. The Kudu, the lion cub standing on his/her mom and for sure the night sky!
Thank you Gawie. Glad you enjoyed our images from this week!
Such a wonderful variety of images this week Kirst and Kate, but my favorite is the more obtuse shot of the giraffe, with the bird and the water droplets. The new cubs are rather fantastic as well. I want to hear more about this new telescope!!
Thank you Denise! Kirst’s image of the Oxpeckers flying away form the giraffe is truly a special image!
Kirst’s “lion cub on mother’s head” was my favorite this week. I also love the mood of the Plaque Rock female descending and the movement of the giraffe and ox peckers.
Thank you Chelsea! Those are beautiful images!
The Ntomi Male is very photogenic! In all of our visits, I don’t recall ever seeing a klipspringer.
Thank you Vin – he really is a very photogenic leopard at the moment!
what a fabulous week of pictures, every one is so special.
Thank you Moira!
Hello Kate,
Fantastic photos! Here comes my favorites…
I like the little lioncub standing on her mother… and the little cub that yawn so sweet…
I think the Three Rivers Young Male that rests in a tall jackalberry is a very artistic photo… also the photo of The Ntomi Male that spots a bachelor herd of Male kudu…beautiful, very artistic!
The Three Rivers Female when she walks across a small branch… beautiful and elegant!
The Plaque Rock female as she began to descend the tree… Very artistic photo! and finally the wild dogs! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Ann. I am very glad you enjoyed so many of our images!
Wonderful group of photos this week! The PR female descending the tree with that amazing sky background is my favorite 🤩. Thanks for posting so many beautiful pics!
Thank you Marcia! We are so glad you enjoyed all of our images from this week.
Beautiful images this week Kate!
Thank you Paul!
Those little lion cubs are just too cute! What a fabulous addition to the pride. Can’t wait to watch them grow. ❤️
The Ntsevu cubs photos are simply the best!