And just like that we are in December of 2024! I cannot believe we are approaching the end of the year and yet another week has flown by with some incredible sightings.
This week features numerous leopards. A few snaps of the Nkoveni Female and Three River’s Female cubs are on the reserve, and other leopards are resting in trees and on termite mounds. A fascinating encounter of two female leopards mating with the same male!
On the lion front, the Kambula Pride and the Ndzhenga Males are well documented as they hunted buffalo on two occasions and quenched their thirst at a stunning waterhole.
The collection includes a cheetah family, along with zebra herds and hyena cubs in their den. A wild dog, a Grey Heron, a curious crocodile, scrub hares, and a range of colourful birds add diversity.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures!
The Ndzhenga Males helped the Kambula Pride bring down a buffalo in the north and claimed their stake.
The Kambula Pride marched towards the water for a much-needed drink.
A few members of the Kambula pride part ways from a buffalo carcass to get some much-needed water at Weaver’s Nest Pan.
A Little Bee-eater takes flight in the hunt of some insects.
An iconic shot of a leopard in a tree! We were pleasantly surprised to find the Xinkhova Female lying in an apple leaf tree early one morning.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
The family of Cheetahs were just phenomenal as they wandered through the open savannah and then climbed up onto a fallen marula tree.
The beautiful Xinkhova Female lying down on a termite mound.
A zebra and a magnificent view of the Lowveld.
A portrait of the cute Three Rivers Female Cub sitting in the tall grass.
An action-packed scene which I (just) managed to raise my camera to in time! A grey heron clasps onto a tilapia fish and scrambles to the air before a massive Nile crocodile attempts to steal its meal.
A beautiful scene where a dazzle of zebra, a bull White Rhino and a herd of impala out of the picture were grazing peacefully together.
The Xitsalala Male. He is a new male leopard that is making himself territorial in the Western parts of the reserve.
A handsome young male leopard that originates from Ngala in the Timbavati Reserve north of here. He had a sister who made it to independence
Hyena cubs are so entertaining to watch and I have headed to the hyena den quite frequently to check up on the youngsters.
A very special moment between a mother cheetah and her cub.
A very special moment between a mother cheetah and her cub.
The beautiful Nkuwa Female made a brief appearance on the western part of the reserve. Both of her male cubs have now moved off from her territory and we will hopefully see her pregnant soon.
One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.
The Nkoveni Female’s cub is growing far too quickly and turning into striking young male.
The Nkoveni Female playfully stalks her young male cub.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The Nhlanguleni Female rests on a shaded termite mound. She has been very elusive since losing her litter in October this year.
Initially skittish female who transformed into a regular presence. Made history by raising first intact litter since her own generation.
The Mashaba Female carefully walks along a game path into the bush.
Londolozi's oldest territorial female. Distinguished by her nose spot, this Sunsetbend matriarch's legacy lives on through her daughters.
A rare close-up shot of a nocturnal species. The scrub hare is a cute mammal that we often spotlight in open clearings on our way back to camp after a game drive.
A male wild dog with a menacing stare. He is a member of the pack of three including one female and two males. They have been very busy hunting on the reserve in the past week.
The Nweti Male and the Ndzanzeni Female were seen mating for a few days showcasing an incredible experience of new leopard genetics being added to the cycle.
He is a large, tall, and long male that has an incredible coat and a tuft of hair on his neck
Royal descendant of Mother Leopard lineage. Remarkable single cub success story who overcame injury to continue the royal bloodline.
What a week! wonderful series of images. My favorite has to be the cheetah family. Well done
Thank you Karen !
My favourite pics of the week are the 2 titled “A very special moment between a mother cheetah and her cub.” Absolutely beautiful. Well done.
Thanks Ian. Yes a very special moment to capture!
Wow, Nick, your pictures are all so fantastic!
I like them all.
The ones of the birds have caught just the right second. Great!
Thanks so much Christa.
Wow! Lots of amazing pictures. My favs are the Bee-eater takes flight and cheetah mom and young share a moment.
Thanks Sandra. The Cheetah family have treated us to some awesome moments!
Stunning images this week Nick, thank you. My favourite this week has to be the cheetah family, as it’s so rare to see all 4 of them close together.
You mentioned in the intro there were 2 female leopards mating with the same male – was the male Nweti, and if so which other female apart from Ndzanzeni was involved?
Thank You Suzanne, the Cheetah family has been amazing.
Yes the male was Nweti and the two females were Ndzanzeni and Mashaba Female.
Love all the close ups!! Beautiful, as always!
Thanks Anita! Appreciate the comments.
Hi Nick, cannot believe it is December month already. Beautiful images this week of different animals. Glad to of seen the scrub hare with it’s see through ears. We also have them here on the reserve and I love viewing them because it looks as if their ears are transparent showing the veins. My favorite this week is the Nkoveni male cub, growing up to be so beautiful indeed.
Thanks Valmai, the year has flown by!
I love the picture of the Nkoveni male. He is growing very quickly.
Love your photos of the cheetah family on the Marula tree! 📸🤩
Thanks Marcia !
Well done on this TWIP Nick! My favorites are the cheetah family photos – they’ve stolen the hearts of everyone inasmuch they’ve stayed in the area rather than moving away. Other favorites were Xinkhova and Nkuwa in addition to the scrub hare that are so difficult to capture in an image. The highlight in the ear is fantastic!
Hi Denise, Thanks for the comments. I was pleasantly surprised with the Scrub hare shot – the light was at the perfect angle to its ears!
Dear Nick, what an amazing TWIP, so nice shots. Love the grey heron, but also the lovely leopards. Thanks.
Thanks Jutta.
Nick, wonderful pictures this week. I really like the shots of the cheetah family, guess I am partial to them since they are not often seen at Londolozi. The shot of the blue Herron just above the nile crocodile was special. Al;so, I have to mention the scrub hare picture which we don’t often see. Great week!
Thanks William.
I love the image of the mother cheetah and cub nuzzling–how sweet! Is the pack of three wild dogs the same pack of three that lost the pups (but with a new female?). Or is this a different pack of three?
Thanks Chelsea. That’s correct. The new female is believed to have come from the Toulon Pack and has joined the two males of the existing pack of three that lost the pups.
As I couldn’t choose a favourite, i took some time to think. And I had so creare in mind the pictures of the cheetah mum with her cub, then the Three Rivers young female. All are superb, I always am in awe in front of leopards and read all their stories if I don’t know anything about them, also the cheetah family is spectacular. I keep thinking of the Nkoveni Female as the most perfect leopard and her son is alike. Nobody can escape lions, this time his wonderful sisters fate was unavoidable.
Thanks Francesca. Leopards are really beautiful creatures and there is so much to admire about them. Since The Nkoveni female lost her daughter, she has been able to take care of her young male cub 100% which is raising the odds of him living to independence.