It’s been a very cat-centric week here at Londolozi with a male cheetah that has been hanging around definitely stealing the show. We found the stunning animal resting atop a termite mound as the sun rose in the background but he was soon on the march. A short stalk followed by a white-knuckle ride through the clearings had us eventually catch up to the cat as he lay with sides heaving like bellows and an impala at his feet. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a chance to feed before a hyena stormed in to steal his prize. The Tsalala Female struck a pose on Plaque Rock for us. She continues to thrive and there are high hopes she may be pregnant but only time will tell. The Nkoveni Female attempts to introduce her cubs to meat but they are resistant to the change, seeming to much prefer the teat. The Ximungwe Female is stealthier than ever, seeming to only be seen when stationary on a kill. Over the river, the Xinzele Female and her daughter look as beautiful as ever, the cub growing in size and confidence in the north. Amongst the plethora of cats though, we had an incredible sighting of two otters crossing the causeway, definitely a first for me! There are a couple of abstract shots of a giraffe and a crisp morning made for some stunning shots as we crossed the steaming Sand River.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
A big yawn as the male prepares to hunt.
The hyena wasted no time in attempting to steal the kill.
The cheetah held the hyena at bay with a dramatic charge.
Who seemed quite content to be hissed at whilst enjoying his meal.
This was a very special day for me. I’ve not had as good an otter sighting as this one.
A truly unique sighting of the two otters out in the open during the day on the causeway.
The Nkoveni Female was not happy with her cub’s attempt at suckling whilst there was a kill hoisted and waiting for it just nearby.
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.
Eventually, the cub got the message and attempted to feed for a time. This lasted all of 10 minutes…
But the Nkoveni Female seemed satisfied with the attempt and subsequently allowed the cub to suckle as he returned to her from the kill.
A dwarf mongoose warms up as the sun rises behind us.
The Tsalala Female strikes a regal pose atop Plaque Rock.
A pride in her own right. Could she be pregnant? Time will tell…
The beautiful tail of a giraffe.
The Xinzele Female. I love the colours of this image.
A small female often found in NW Marthly. Similar spot pattern to her mother the Ingrid Dam Female.
The Xinzele Young Female gains the height of a termite mound to watch a steenbok up ahead.
Ranger Pat Grealy smiles wide as the Xinzele Female passes by.
Two terrapins watch the sunset together.
The Ximungwe Female’s blue eyes are captivating…
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
We were lucky enough to see the cheetah again! A somewhat different environment than normal meant for great lighting of the male’s eyes.
The Sand River shows off its beauty.
Thanks so much Kyle for your “cat-centric” themed TWIP. It’s a terrific display of images and choosing one each week is always difficult. My choice is your photo of the Ximungwe female, capturing that blue light in her eyes. If I chose a close second behind my favorite, the giraffe’s legs and tail – I’m always attracted to the “artistic” shots.
A good combination of photos! My personal favourite(s) is the Tsalala female posing the Plaque Rock.
Wow what an amazing set of pictures!!!! Impossible to pick a favorite
Very interesting TWIP! Love all the cats! My favorite shot was the beautiful color photo of the Tsalala lioness. She is such a brave lioness. If she has cubs, life will be awfully hard for her and her cubs! Hopefully the father will find a way to protect her.
Excellent TWIP Kyle, and how wonderful to see otters.
Difficult choice but my favourite this week has to be Nkoveni snarling at her reluctant cub – it’s just so much more convenient to have milk on tap!
Did her other cub feed on the kill in the tree?
Spectacular photos, Kyle. Thanks a lot. I love all of them. And it’s great news that the Tsalala lioness might be pregnant. I especially love the black and white photo of her on the rock.
And the two photos of the two otters are wonderful. I hope I might see them, too.
Mesmerising cat-pictures! The cheetah is so graceful, elegant, I’m so glad he’s so successful, a cheetah is successful if ecological conditions are good. Leopards are as beautiful as always, the cub is wonderful and the pictures with its mum is touching. The picture of the Ximungwe female would win any beauty contest! I’m also thrilled to see the lovely Tsalala female and otters, very intelligent and funny predators, they are back and thriving in Europe and it seems in South Africa too! Fantastic I couldn’t have asked for more.
Well the sequence of the Nkoveni Female and her cub is adorable…especially the ‘make up’ shot! The otters are pretty wonderful too! Wondering why the cheetah doesn’t get a name…seems as if he’s around for good?
Kyke, thank you for TWIP’s. My favorite is the last shot of the Sand river.
Fabulous photos Kyle! Barbara and I have told so many folks about our wonderful week with you and Veatence. Thanks so much! Say hello to the belter.
Oh Kyle this week’s TWIP is absolutely stunning with the cats being the main animal. My favorite is the Xinzele female on the termite mound. She is such a gorgeous leopard. Loved the image of the Tsalala female and I really do hope she is pregnant. The Ximungwe females image with the blue eyes is also a stunning foto.
Love the otters! Also Bob the Cheetah! And the river with Morning mist! Do wish you had included Prof’s video of the Hyena stealing the kill from Bob the Cheetah!!! Assume you are well on your way north, have fun!!!!!
Great images this week Kyle, and so many great cheetah captures!!!
Very brave Cheetah at least showing a front and attempting to defend his kill.
Great to see Tsalala girl, I’m hoping she is pregnant, I’m hoping by the end of this year she brings new life to the Tsalala bloodline.
A beautiful capture of the sand rive, that has got to be my favourite this week.
Who doesn’t love to be focused on cats-especially with their cubs. Great photos and updates regarding the leopard and cheetah activity.
Super photos
As always, love the cheetah and the otters 🦦
Ian
Kyle, awesome images this week – Cats everywhere! We especially loved your b&w of the Tsalala female – very dramatic!
Oh my, what a collection! I’m really having a difficult time choosing a favorite this week. So many stirred emotions. The face of the cheetah trying to protect his kill from the hyena, the Nkoveni female nuzzling her cub, and the Tsalala female on the rock were all such powerful images. The giraffe tail was also an interesting capture. Thank you for sharing!
Great pics Kyle. That cheetah was certainly, the star of the show over the past week. I was lucky enough to see him 3 times!
Such a stunning set of photos Kyle. Feel very blessed to be able to see Londos through your eyes. The black and white view of the Tsalala female is my favourite this week. really holding thumbs that she’s pregnant .JR says the pictures make him long to be back there with you all.
I get sad when Cheetahs kills are stolen. So much energy wasted. However the story of the Nkoveni Female and her cub was so sweet with the appropriate photos telling such a sweet tale! And I think everyone’s heart tug is the Tsalala female. Exciting that she could be pregnant but life will be so much harder than it already is for her. My favorite photo by far though is the Ximungwe Female and those amazing blue eyes. Great post! 🙏🏿
The side photo of the Ximungwe female is beautiful. And the black and white shot of the Tsalala female is particularly dramatic.