There’s a whisper of winter in the air at Londolozi. Days are getting shorter and the early mornings now have a slight chill to them. On the odd occasion, a blanket of fog covers the low-lying areas, creating an amazing atmosphere to watch the sunrise. It might be early to say this but a few of the tips of the long grasses are just starting to brown in certain areas however, given the mild deluge that we experienced last month, there are still plenty of small wallows and puddles dotted around the reserve. Summertime safaris come with several perks – plenty of young animals, vibrant colours, fantastic birds and incredible thunderstorms – but I can’t help but say I’m looking forward to the next couple of months at a cooler and drier Londolozi.
The Senegal Bush Male was the star feature of the last week and was seen on no less than 5 different occasions, all of which were interesting and sometimes rather unique sightings. It was my first time to see a male leopard actively hunting buffalo albeit a small calf in the large herd that he had his eye on. This was followed by one of the most amazing photographic sightings that I’ve had with this dominant leopard.
The latest additions to the Ntesvu Pride were also around for the earlier parts of the week and again provided us with a few memorable moments. The headlines also centred around the arrival of a new, young male cheetah that wandered in from the east and spent a couple of days patrolling the open marula crests near the camp. One afternoon, our guests and I were also treated to one of my best elephant encounters in a long time with a young and curious calf stealing our hearts in a matter of minutes. In amongst it all, a few beautiful birds (some more common than others), giraffes, zebra, crocodiles and mating baboons all provided us with some great entertainment. All in all, yet another special week at Londolozi.
Let me know which are your favourite images in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
A small group of Zebra graze their way through the long grass while the sun begins to set in the background.
Vultures have a preference for the open branches of dead trees. The lack of vegetation accommodates their large wingspans. The width of a White-backed Vulture’s (pictured here) wingspan can reach up to 2.2 meters (over 7 feet).
The Senegal Bush Male made several appearances this past week. I personally encountered him on three different occasions and he was seen by others on another two. Here, he was on the move while patrolling his territory. The little flick in his tail was a reaction to a group of Rattling Cisticolas (a type of small bird) frantically alarm calling at him as he walked by.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
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An adolescent-aged crocodile, coated in green duckweed from a nearby waterhole, lay motionless and allowed us to drive right up alongside him. It’s not often you get up close to these prehistoric creatures.
Our second encounter with the Senegal Bush Male was a rather unique one. He came upon a herd of buffalo – a species that would usually not be found in a leopard’s diet – and began stalking the herd. Using the long grass to his advantage, he singled out a small calf and tried, for well over an hour, to get himself into a position that would give him the opportunity to pounce on it. However, the watchful eye of the calf’s mother kept him at bay.
The Senegal Bush Male peeps over the long grass towards the herd of buffalo.
A familiar favourite; the beautiful Lilac-breasted Roller. I’ve taken countless photos of these birds and it never gets old.
After watching the Senegal Bush Male stalk the herd of buffalo the previous evening, we set out the following morning to see if he had had any luck. Not far from where the buffalo herd was, Jess and Advice found him draped in a beautiful Marula tree with his fresh catch of the night – an impala lamb which can be seen tucked away further along the same branch that he’s lying on. The misty conditions made for an incredible atmosphere!
Another angle of the same scene as the previous image.
This Ntsevu lioness had had enough of these cubs climbing all over her and eventually decided to get on the move. I’m sure some of the parents out there can relate!
A tender moment between a mother lioness and her cub.
A small group of giraffes were ambling their way across the airstrip when they came across a lone hyena in their path. While the hyena poses little threat to them, it still caught their attention. They eventually chased the hyena off and into the thick bush.
This elephant calf was the youngest of a massive herd of approximately 40 elephants which we spent the latter part of a recent afternoon with. While the rest of the herd took little notice of us and continued to feed, this little one was quite curious and kept himself entertained by circling our vehicle while under the watch of its mother.
Giraffe are still one of my favourite subjects to photograph. Their relaxed temperament and peculiar body shape allow us to capture some unique images, especially in silhouette. This was taken as we left camp at sunrise.
A Double-banded Sandgrouse sticks low to the ground in the sandy two-track ahead of our vehicle. I’ve been wanting to get a decent photo of one of these birds for a long time and while this isn’t quite what I’ve been looking for, I was happy to come away with it in the end. They’re very shy and often fly away as soon as you lift your camera!
After a rather absence, a cheetah was finally seen to the east of the Londolozi camps. We’re not sure where he came from but seems to be an independent young male. He’s likely wandered into the area looking for vacant territory and good hunting opportunities. Let’s hope he hangs around for a little while longer.
Crowned Hornbills are not common birds at Londolozi. There has recently been a pair moving around in the deep south-eastern corner of the reserve and we managed to get a great view of this one before he flew off.
Baboons mating! While the rest of the troop trotted down the road ahead of us, this pair of baboons decided they had some unfinished business. Just another Friday in the bush.
This way to Londolozi!
So enjoy seeing pictures of the Senegal Bush Male. Ntsevu lioness and cubs are precious!
Thanks Sandra. I’m glad you enjoyed those photos.
Chris, Thanks for a great set of images this week! It was tough to pick a favorite, but we loved the inquisitive elephant calf!
Thanks Michael and Terri! The little elephant calf along with the rest of the herd was a fantastic sighting and very cute.
My favorite post of the week is TWIP. Never dissapoints!
It never does
The expression on the mating baboon with the troop looking on is a hoot, but the mirrored giraffes bathed in the apricot sunrise is my photo favorite this week. Thanks Chris for sharing your looks thru the lens!
Thanks Camille. The giraffe image is something different – I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wonderful photos, Chris!
I really love the one of the lioness who is rather fed up with that bunch of babies, all wanting to be nursed.
Great expression on her face as she seems to be saying: enough is enough.
Thanks Christa. It was an amazing morning with the lionesses and the cubs. They just wouldn’t give her a break!
Excellent TWIP Chris! All your images are wonderful but I especially enjoyed the photo of the frazzled lioness, looking to detach herself from all those feisty cubs!
Thanks Denise. It was a special moment to see all those cubs together. We look forward to having you back here soon!
Your photos are gorgeous Chris, as always. My favourite this week has to be the Ntsevu female being harassed by the 6 (?) cubs – her face says it all! As there are so many young lion cubs in the pride now, will they still suckle from their mother, or is it more whoever has an available teat?
Thanks Suzanne, I’m glad you like them. You’re right, there’re at least 13 cubs in total that we know of (last time we got to have a proper count). The cubs can and will suckle from any of the lactating mothers but the mothers do tend to show preference for their own.
Eclectic photos today. Most wonderful. But the vulture pic reminded me of my attempt to photograph three vultures here in SE Virginia as they sat on shopping center pole lights at dawn. Your photo is better . . .
Thanks Willa. The vulture photo is something different. Silhouette shots are always a great way to change up an ordinary photo.
Hi Chris, I am particularly impressed by the Senegal Bush male on the Marula tree, both mature excellent individuals of each species. I love the giraffe duo at sunset and the very beautiful cheetah! The cubs and the calf are adorable as usual. The Double Banded Sandhrouse’s picture is so nice, I like those birds a lot and the colours are perfect. Lovely wip
Thank you Francesca. I’m glad you enjoyed a variety of the images. My favourite was probably also the Senegal Bush Male in the marula – it was a surreal sighting to in.
Chris some stunning images this week in TWIP. My favorite is the little elephant calf, such a cutie and full of mischief. So glad to see the Senegal bush male again with his tattered ears. He stays my favorite male leopard.
Thank you Valmai. The elephant calf was indeed very cute and entertaining. We are lucky to see the Senegal Bush Male as much as we do; he’s a great leopard to view.
Great photos but one of them concerns me: Was that mother lioness growling at the humans taking the picture? If so, the humans were too close! Londolozi is usually very good about putting the animal first; some other lodges are not. Ethical eco-tourism is important. Never cause the animal to change its behavior for a closer look or a photo:-)
Hi Linda, not to worry, we were showing all the necessary sensitivity when that photo was taken. We were parked at a fair distance and the lioness (along with the rest of the pride) were very relaxed with us being there. The group of cubs had been climbing all over her for about 5 minutes as they all tried to get their chance to suckle. She had had enough of their mischief and gave a quick smirk at her discomfort towards them as she stood up. As you said, sensitivity and respect for the animals always come first.
Great! I would hope for nothing else from the great staff at Londo. I am just a bit alarmed at the trend in South Africa to get eco-travelers closer and closer…often on foot…and I do not think this necessary or beneficial to the animals, human or nonhuman:-) Bravo for the ethics of the best eco-lodge on earth!
Chris, my favorite picture this week is the Ntsevu lioness who had enough of her cubs and their antics. Reminded me of a time in my life with my children. HAHA
Thanks William. Yes, I thought a few of the parents out there would be able to relate!
Beautiful images this week, Chris! So hard to name a favorite mom, but the mother lioness and her almost grimace-like expression sure made me smile!
That seems to a favourite for most, Mary Beth! The little cubs have been great value for us over the last couple of weeks.
Wonderful collection! I loved the Senegal Bush Male in the marula tree with the mist in the background. That image didn’t wonders for calming my nervous system.
I’m glad to hear that, Chelsea! It was an incredible moment to be in.
So this week no violence but some sex.
Usually it’s the other way around 😇😇😇
A nice change of events, I’d like to think!
Baby Ellie is the best! Exciting week! We are happy to be getting over our longer than normal winter tho the rain is much needed. Hope it’s a good one for you all!
Thanks Anita. I also hope it’s a good winter for us.
Great photos Chris! Enjoyed this week’s week in pictures!
Thanks Michael.
Loved the Senegal Bush Male peeking over the grass. Also the lioness and cubs – how relatable – ha!
Chris, I love the giraffes. You are so right about the perspectives they offer. And as for the Ntsevu lioness and all her cubs, I can’t help thinking of this verse from Flanders and Swan “The amorous Hippopotamus, whose love song we know,
Is now married and father of ten.
He murmers, “God rot’em!” as he watches them grow,
And he longs to be single again.
He’ll gambol no more on the banks of the Nile
Which Nasser is flooding next spring.
With hippopotamas in silken pajamas
No more will he teach them to sing:
Mud! Mud! Glorious mud!
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
So, follow me, follow, down to the hollow,
And there let us wallow in glorious mud.”