Despite a snap of cold weather moving through a large portion of the country, the game viewing this week has been nothing short of spectatular.
Female leopards dominated the stage with the Xinzele female and her daughter roaming through the Northern section of Londolozi; the Ximungwe female made an unexpected appearing after being fairly elusive for the past few weeks; but it was the Nkoveni female that stole the show after introducing us to her two very young cubs.
The Toulon pack of 20 wild dogs covered large distances on the reserve, potentially looking to expand their home range from the South Eastern parts of the Sabi Sands.
On the Lion front, one of the Plain’s Camp males was mating with a lioness from the Munghen pride, whilst their most recent offspring were playing around in a dry riverbed.
Although the colourful migratory birds are not around, two of the largest bird species that we see at Londolozi made an appearance being the Ostrich and Marabou Stork.
![Wild Dogs Looking Over Sand River [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11134309/Wild-Dogs-Looking-over-Sand-River-RCB-scaled.jpg)
Two members of the Toulon Pack take a peak over the Sand River shortly before crossing
![Male Ostrich Portrait B&w [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11134324/Male-Ostrich-Portrait-BW-RCB-scaled.jpg)
A high-key portrait of a male ostrich
![Xinzele Young Female On Log [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11141417/Xinzele-Young-Female-on-Log-RCB-scaled.jpg)
The Xinzele young female glances towards the Flat Rock male, her prospective father, who had tracked her and her mother down in the hope of gaining a free meal.
![Elephant Herd In Sand River Black And White [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/11141649/Elephant-herd-in-sand-river-Black-and-White-RCB-scaled.jpg)
A large breeding herd of elephants comes down to the Sand River in the late morning to quench their thirst
![Plains Camp Male Lion And Munghen Lioness [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/12134652/Plains-camp-male-lion-and-Munghen-Lioness-RCB-scaled.jpg)
One of the Plain’s camp males and Munghen lionesses catch their breath after a bout of mating.
Two warthogs briefly touch heads as they forage in the clearing.
![Spotlit Ntsevu Lioness Looking At Camera [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/12134629/Spotlit-Ntsevu-Lioness-Looking-at-Camera-RCB-scaled.jpg)
It’s always a humbling experience looking through your viewfinder to find a lioness looking straight back at you.
![Xinzele And Cub [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/12134608/Xinzele-and-Cub-RCB-scaled.jpg)
After playfully fighting with her cub, the Xinzele female fixes her gaze on a flock of spurfowl birds passing by
![Xinzele And Cub Walking On Road [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/12134533/Xinzele-and-Cub-Walking-on-Road-RCB-scaled.jpg)
Perspective. The Xinzele female leads her 13 month old cub through her territory
![Munghen Pride Cub Portrait [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/12134502/Munghen-Pride-Cub-Portrait-RCB-1598x1598.jpg)
An Inquisitive lion cub from the Munghen pride peers over a sandbank towards us
The attention of the Ximungwe female was caught by a nearby herd of impala in the distance as she surveys the crest in the morning sunlight
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
A Marabou Stork rests on the bank of a waterhole in the cool morning wind. The white legs of this bird is from urohydrosis (a habit which birds defecate on their legs as a form of cooling).
One of the Nkoveni Female’s new cub stares at its sibling as it feeds in the nearby tree.
The Nkoveni female’s newest litter: One of her two cubs greets its mother before being groomed.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
This dwarf mongoose stands tall on its back legs as it scans its surroundings in search of the others.
One of the Toulan wild dog pack members pauses for a brief moment on top of a termite mound before running towards the others.
An admirable array! The ostrich photo is superb. It evokes a fine pen and ink sketch. The wart hogs and stork pics are close behind as favorites today.
Good Stuff
Another great photos of the week. The young cub with its mom is definitely my favorite.
Robbie such stunning images this week in TWIP. I loved the image of the lion cubs that is so inquisitive, such beautiful eyes. The Nkoveni female and her two cubs are absolutely gorgeous. Robbie could you please see why I cannot see my points in the point system . Thanks for these adorable images.
Quel plaisir de voir les belles photos de ces superbes animaux, j’espère, si dieu me prête vie, aller un.jour les admirer sur place
Inquisitive lion cub and Nkoveni Female’s new cub stares at its sibling are my favorites.
What a great collection of images! The one of the lioness staring straight into the lens reminded me of an encounter I had with one years ago. While on game drive we heard that a troop of lions had killed a warthog, so we rushed to the sight. When we were there one of the lionesses decided to take her share of the kill to the back wheel of our vehicle. I wanted to take a picture of that, so I hung out of the vehicle and pointed my camera at her. She looked up with frightening eyes, so I quickly snapped a picture and got back into the vehicle. I will never forget that stare.
Lovely photos, well done to both of you. The lion cub is sooo cute…..but leopards always win it for me, especially when it’s of one of my favourites, ie Nkoveni, and her cub. Hope she can have the same success with these 2 as she did with her last litter.
Spectacular moments! The full front image of the lion cub is wonderful – you captured such a crisp image, one can see the characteristics of the fur, the elements of the eyes – beautiful! And the image of the Nkoveni female with her cub is lovely…I really hope she is able to keep the two…such a monumental task, so heartbreaking when they don’t make it. Nature – so beautiful and cruel all at the same time.
Thank you for the captivating images!
Great TWIP Robbie!! All great captures, and that ostrich shot feels iconic. Bravo!!
Robert, there are several good pictures TWIP’s, my favorite is the lioness looking strait back into the camera lens. Just a little disconcerting for the photographer if she continued to approach without looking away. Great shot!
Love Kirst’s leopard photos
I love the ostrich portrait this week–great detail! I’ve also never seen a stork sitting before, so that was fun.
Fantastic photos from the both of you, especially the ostrich portrait and the wart hogs, head to head.
I have not heard the Munghen name before. Where did this pride originate from?
oh those babies!!! great shots as always!
Interesting about the Marabou Stock. New information.
Wow, beautiful! I love the ostrich, wild dog and the warthogs- so beautiful!!!
Robbie, What a great set of images! We love the one of Nkoveni with her cub!
Really like the way Kirst has been managing her Depth of Field (DOF aka bokeh) …also very nice leopards! And Robbie, you are really getting the hang of B&W … well done!