With us now feeling the chill, we can comfortably say that the winter period in the bush is upon us. The month of June is arguably one of my favourite times of the year. There’s a wholesome comfort in bundling up warmly against the crisp, cold winter mornings in the bush as we venture out to witness the tranquil awakening of the wild. Wrapped in blankets, seats warmed by hot water bottles, we embark on morning game drives, feeling the invigorating bite of the morning air. As the first light of dawn breaks and the bush begins to stir, there is a serene beauty in watching the world gradually warm up with the rising sun, each moment filled with the promise of new discoveries.
Having been treated to some spectacular sightings, join me as I provide a closer look into The Week in Pictures.
This week, along with some of the usual suspects, provided special moments with some smaller characters that are usually a little trickier to capture. Among them, a very relaxed and cosy Verreaux’s Eagle Owl perched right beside the road, a mesmerizingly colourful Flap-necked Chameleon crossing our path on its quest for a new place of refuge, and an incredibly inquisitive Dwarf Mongoose, providing us with a sneak peek into its charismatic personality. Since we have not had an active Hyena den on the property for quite some time, the discovery of a few new dens means spending some special time with the ever-adventurous Hyena cubs. The golden light of a crisp winter morning sets the scene as an old Buffalo bull quenches his thirst at the causeway. Wild Dogs on the airstrip never fail to deliver the most picturesque photographic opportunities.
The Nkoveni Female and her youngsters continue to take centre stage with many incredible sightings of this inspiring single mom and her curious cubs as their boundless enthusiasm and innocent exploration of the world around them provide a captivating glimpse into the secretive life of leopards. Since his recent shift in territory, I look forward to any time that can be spent with the Senegal Bush Male. Perfectly posed, the Three Rivers Female, provides an opportunity to play around with a different type of high-key edit.
The Lions that roam Londolozi have been a highlight of the week with a tranquil moment spent with the Nkuhuma Male as the afternoon light begins to fade, the dominant Ndzengha Males moving through one of their preferred clearings in the golden morning light and an intense moment between mother and cubs of the Kambula Pride as tensions rise over a Buffalo feast.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
Since we have seen a shift in the Senegal Bush Male’s territory, regular sightings of him have been few and far between. Any moment spent with this incredibly intimidating cat is a moment well spent!
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
A sighting of Wild Dogs on the airstrip definitely falls within “Londolozi’s bucket list sightings.
Wild Dogs, Wild Dogs Everywhere….
An older Buffalo Bull peacefully quenches his thirst at the causeway during the golden hours of a chilly winter morning
Innocence and curiosity. One of the Nkoveni Female’s Cubs walks along fallen tree trunk. 
Not one, not two, not three BUT…. FIVE White Rhinos line up for an afternoon drink at Weaver’s Nest Pan.
Some new additions to the Londolozi family!
The Classic Black and White: The Three Rivers Female provided the perfect opportunity to play around with a few edit variations, which one is your favourite?
The Classic Colour, I love the lengthy whiskers.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
Tensions rise as the Kambula Pride find their place around a Buffalo they had caught in the golden morning light.
The Nkuhuma Male poses atop a termite mound during the afternoon’s fading light
The Nkoveni Female intensely glances back at us through the Tamboti tree grove as one of her cubs enjoys the fruits of her hard work
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A colourful character!
The Nhlanguleni Female scans her surroundings looking for anything to hunt from a boulder.
The Kambula Pride’s youngsters are providing us with some fantastic viewing of late.
The larger of the two Ndzengha Males commences his morning patrol through one of their preferred clearings as his brother watches on.
A sight that brings a smile to anyone’s face. This curious little giraffe calf inquisitively gazes at the vehicle whilst we manage to snap a few shots.
The Nkoveni Female’s cubs are really beginning to let their little personalities shine through. Watching these stunning cats grow and develop has been a treat!
The Plaque Rock Female perches along the comfortable branches of an Apple-Leaf tree prior to the sad news of her falling victim to the Ntsevu Pride and Ndzhenga Males.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
An incredibly cosy Verreaux’s Eagle Owl was extremely comfortable with our presence as it called for its partner in a nearby tree.
One of the many “Lazy Fishermen” claiming its place along the causeway.
A dwarf mongoose pokes his head out of a territorial burrow, scanning his surroundings for any potential threats
Two buffalo bulls spend the warmer parts of the afternoon resting in the Sand River
A fitting way to end off this Week in Pictures as the sunset from Southern Cross Koppies sets fire to the sky.
Great pictures this week Reece. My favorite is the Nkoveni female and her cub in the tamboti tree with her kill.
Thank you William. It was such a powerful moment to capture!
I love all your photos, Reece, they are fantastic.
Actually I prefer the golden light on the golden coat of the Three Rivers Female. But from the photographic point of view, the black and white is stunning.
Nice, to see the Senegal bush Male again. And the youngsters, the leopard and lion cubs and the hyena’s pup are so cute.
Thank you very much Christa! It’s always difficult to choose a favourite when the animals are as gorgeous as they are!
Reece, Thanks for the wonderful TWIP! Our favorite is the 5 Rhinos lined up perfectly – really rare shot!
Hi Michael and Terri. Thank you, it was an incredibly special sighting!
So, the prehistoric fellows sucked me in. The five(!) rhinos and the causeway crocodile are my top two.
Hi Willa, thank you very much! I think that seems to be the common trend in the comments! It was such a special sighting. The situation makes it difficult not to choose it as the favourite from the collection!
Thanks for a great TWIP Reece – how lucky were you to see a crash of 5 rhinos together like that! My favourite shot this week has to be Nkoveni with a cub in the tree. I so hope she and her 2 cubs are still around when I come back in early November, but this week’s shocking news about Plaque Rock shows we can take nothing for granted. Cubs dying is unfortunately common, but their mother….?
Oh, and I much prefer the colour version of 3 Rivers. I feel leopards have such beautiful coats that black and white images don’t do justice to them.
Hi Suzanne. Thank you very much! We were very lucky indeed.
The Nkoveni Female has been doing such an incredible job raising them thus far so I’m feeling optimistic and holding thumbs for you!
Such unfortunate news about the Plaque Rock female, but nature is nature I guess.
Goodness Reece, I cannot choose a favorite. I love the variety this week. The line up of rhinos was certainly unusual. And as I was scrolling down, the buffalo bull was not the animal I expected to see on the causeway, so that was a nice surprise. I love the giraffe calf, the crocodile and what was likely one of the last photos of the Plaque Rock female. All the babies featured brought a little light to my heart. Thank you for sharing this collection!
Hi Chelsea, thank you very much! I am so delighted that you enjoyed the collection! We were truly spoilt with our sightings which makes choosing a favourite that much more tricky!
What a stunning sunset, those colours are absolutely stunning. I love the colour foto of the Three Rivers female, but the B/W is also beautiful. My favorite for this week is the foto of the five white rhinos drinking water. That is an exceptionally good foto. Off course the Nkoveni and her cubs brings joy to my heart, especially after the tragic death of the Plague rock female and gorgeous little cub. Wonderful foto’s this week, thank you Reece.
Hi Valmai. Thank you very much, we have been so fortunate with all our sightings and I also found it very difficult to choose a favourite!
Hi, I find those pictures really charming and interesting. Leopards above all; it’s a bittersweet feeling, given what happened to the Plaque Rock Female and her cub. The Three River Female, the Nkoveni Female and the Nkoveni Female with her cubs are also stunning, of course the cubs are adorable and irresistible! The owl is great, a fantastic picture, it made me smile together with the baby giraffe and the chamaleon, the lion and leopard cubs too of course. I like also in particular the photos of the old buffalo, it is rare and has an atmosphere. And, of course, the closing one… rhinos are rare, how did you happen to find them together?
Hi Francesca! Thank you very much, I am so glad you enjoyed this TWIP. We were spoilt with many magical moments! Bittersweet indeed but it just shows us how nothing can be taken for granted out here!
We were incredibly lucky with our rhino sighting but perhaps just happened to be in the right place at the right time!
So sad about the Plaque Rock female and her cub. The Ndzhenga males are starting to remind me of people!
Hi Michael. Indeed very unfortunate news of the Plaque Rock Female’s passing. However, it’s a privilege to be able to witness just how raw and unforgiving nature can be!
Fantastic pics this week Reece. The hungry croc is a good capture as well as the 5 rhino at the water’s edge. I can never see too many leopards and your images this week didn’t disappoint, especially the photo of Plaque Rock draped regally over the branch. It appears the dwarf mongoose came up for a quick look, but was almost invisible save for his pink nose – great sighting.
Thank you very much Denise! I am thrilled that you enjoyed this TWIP!
The Rhino photo is amazing, note how some have had their horns removed. Today a photo came to me of the Kenyan Wildlife Service , darting a mature bull elephant of around forty five years to remove his tusks , to prevent him falling foul of poaching gangs
Hi Ian! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. Yes indeed, we started dehorning about 2 years ago and it has so far been very successful.
Five rhinos drinking side-by-side?! Gets my vote for #1!
Thank you Mary Beth! It truly makes it difficult to beat!
please make beautiful tribute to our queen plaque rock female ❤️ the sun is set but plaque rock female will shine forever ❤️ RIP MY FAVOURITE LEOPARD
Hi Justine! She truly was a stunning leopard! A stark reminder of the harsh, unforgiving nature of the bush!
FIVE rhinos! Amazing shot! And gorgeous sunset to close out another fabulous WIP 👍🏽
Hi Anita! Thank you. The rhinos seem to be everyone’s favourite this week!
Phenomenal set of images Reece! How many hyena dens have you all been able to view and are they all in the same area of the reserve?
Hi Michael. Thank you very much!
We currently have 3 known den sites that are scattered around the property! There will be an update on this in the coming weeks!
Great set of images Reece! What great viewing you all have enjoyed.
Are the hyena dens all in the same area or are they scattered?
I am so glad you enjoyed this TWIP Michael! He have been truly fortunate!
They are scattered around the property.
That photo of the rhinos drinking is INCREDIBLE! Wow!
And missing Plaque Rock female after her untimely death….what a terrible loss.
Thank you Lisa! It was an incredibly special moment that I’ve dreamed about for long!
Such unfortunate news however, it’s a privilege to witness just how raw nature can be!