It’s been a longer winter here in the Sabi Sands but summer seems to have finally arrived. The land is thirsty and the recent storms seemed only to bring wind with very little rain. However, we have had a couple of light drizzles which have sparked an awakening. Tortoises are being seen more regularly, dragonflies flit through the air and chameleons are being spotted at night. Termites have begun new construction on their ancient dwellings and the first alate (winged termites) emergence should happen soon. The days are long with early morning starts and later afternoon drives to maximise time in the active hours of the day which means plenty of time for relaxing on deck, in your private pools and treating yourself to a healing house spa experience, and of course still have plenty of time for a mid-day nap!
Regarding the wildlife, there’s been a veritable avalanche of cats on Londolozi this week! We’ve had unusually frequent (I won’t say regularly) incredibly special cheetah sightings. The Ndhzenga Males continue to be a force to be reckoned with, not allowing any males near the Kambula or Ntsevu Pride, and controlling their turf with gusto. The Kambula Pride were found with not one, not two but THREE buffalo carcasses the other day. What a wild moment that was to find the pride full-bellied but still having two full carcasses to get through! The Three Rivers Female continues to look after her little one, who is becoming enthusiastic and confident, a fantastic young leopardess. A very exciting update is that the Ndzandzeni Female is suckling and we are searching for the den!
It’s all happening here on Londolozi this week and so let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
An Ndzhenga Male crosses the airstrip at dawn.
This male cheetah finally succumbed to the pressure of these three giraffes staring at him and giving away his position in a very obvious way.
This young Bateleur looks to be in the range of seven years old having almost transformed from brown with a grey/green face to the magnificent bold black, white and chestnut body with bright red legs and face.
Wisdom.
The Londolozi ladies choir perform for our guests as the sun sets behind them; a very special moment.
Moments like these are burnt into your memory.
We stopped to look at a tortoiseshell and suddenly spotted these two Lapwing chicks hiding in plain sight but so camouflaged nonetheless!
The innocent eyes seem not to suit the ferocious display!
One can only imagine that this quick dip must have felt so refreshing on one of the first real hot days of summer.
This leap ultimately ended in failure but what a moment to be right there for!
Part of a small colony of Yellow-billed Storks have set up shop near camp.
This young Kambula Female practised killing this buffalo for quite some time.
Posing with her prize.
This buffalo herd numbered around 200 individuals! Mind-blowing.
Bathed in fresh kudu blood, the Nkuhuma Young Male stares in the direction of a roaring male lion.
The Ndzandzeni Female perches on a ledge above us!
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
10 oxpeckers work hard at cleaning this large male giraffe.
The Three Rivers Young Female treats us to a show as she explores the upper limbs of a leadwood tree.
The Three Rivers Female pauses to scan the surroundings.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
Keeping her cub entertained!
This Ntsevu mother did not want to be disturbed but the cub was having none of it and kept coming back for more!
Sleepy…
![Hamerkop Diving For Plattana [rcb] (26)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10105855/Hamerkop-Diving-for-Plattana-RCB-26-280x178.jpg)
Always a pleasure to get the current edition of TWIP. Gorgeous leopards. Ndzanzeni will be 13 in about 4 months. I had always hoped she would raise a daughter to keep the female line of the Mother Leopard going on Londolozi.