From a large male leopard dragging and hoisting a warthog carcass to hippos fighting and four male lions crossing the sand river in the cover of darkness, this is a virtual safari you do not want to miss.
It has been nearly two years since I last saw the Nsuku Male Leopard and boy I couldn’t believe how much he has grown. At only three-and-a-half years old, he has certainly developed into a large and impressive male, resembling the size and stature of his father, the Maxim’s Male. We spend two game drives with him which results in him securing a warthog carcass against a hyena by dragging it some distance and eventually hoisting it into a marula tree.
We then enjoy the ferocity of two hippo bulls battling it out for dominance and the rights to a prime waterhole in the southeast, while surrounded by a few curious elephants.
And we end off with a remarkable sighting of the four Ntsevu/Kambula Males wading deep into crocodile-infested waters under the cover of darkness. A daring and risky move but one they execute perfectly by banding together. Watching lions move around at night is an invigorating experience, so having them walk right past the vehicle before arriving on the banks of the Sand River was incredible.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
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WOW! A safari at night in a middle of pure commotion! First, no doubt about the Ntsuki male, he’s the son of the Three Rivers female that had a very hard life, she has been an exceptional mother and he has also beautiful traits from her. Her father looks tolerant in general, so, no surprise he allows his son into his territory, after keeping company to the Nkoveni family and the Three Rivers female and sweetie daughter. Hyena had no chance. The hippos… it’s really terrible, they are so aggressive due to their testosterone levels, they way they fight looks mean and extreme. I love them nonetheless. They are special animals I’d love to see them in the real wilderness. The hippo king is a fantastic documentary about a hippo life and his ability to change and make the river live. By BBC. Last but not least, the four terrestrial kings crossing the river. Besides crocodile, the real kings of the river, hippos, could have killed them easily, given their aggressively moves… but I guess the lions calculated well all the moves and chances. I see how they kept very close in order to confuse the enemies and defend them. Spectacular!!
Thank you so much, Francesca. Yes, the Nsuku Male is blessed with some good genes and his mother, the Three Rivers Female, did a sterling job of raising him.
The hippos fighting was awesome to watch, they are so aggressive and their fights are brutal.
Lastly, the lions crossing the river was so awesome to watch, as they band together for safety.
Wow!!! Breathtaking, awesome, incredible…..this is a virtual safari I shall be watching again and again. Thank you so much Sean for this treat.
I last saw Nsuku 3 years ago when he was about 6 months old. How impressive he looks now, and the sheer strength he has to hoist a warthog like that is just amazing.
Thank you so much, Suzanne. I am so glad you enjoyed this Virtual Safari. The Nsuku Male has grown into such an impressive young male leopard now.
Sean, this was an incredible virtual safari. Watching the lions crossing the river and the male hippos fighting safari’s can not get much better . Thank you for sharing .
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Thank you so much, William. I am so glad that you enjoyed it.
Hi Sean, that male leopard is surely very strong to be able to take that warthog up that tree. Being the son of the Maxim’s male it is no wonder he can do that. Actually it is quite different from the fathers to tolerate their sons in there territory. For us it is good news then we can see them more often. Two hippos fighting really is a scarry event and they are huge. Loved the river crossing from the 4 Netsuv and Kambula lions. Every step they took was positioned carefully, each one looking around and walking close to each other. Glad they made it without any crocodile problems. Oh but the lion cubs are to precious all three of them. Is the other lioness also pregnant.
It really was an impressive feat for him to take the warthog into the tree. It just highlights the strength and coordination of a leopard.
The lions crossing the river was amazing and so was the brief view of the cubs.
Love these safaris! It is great to be able to follow the leopards and lions as they grow. Thank you!
Thank you so much. I am so glad you enjoy them.
What an amazing virtual safari with footage of three of the strongest male animals that live in the lowveld. It was great to see the Ntsevu’s four males together again, demonstrating their togetherness whilst crossing the river. I do hope they continue to develop their teamwork as they will need it when the time comes to defend themselves again the Ndhzengas, Plains Camp or even Gijimas.
Watching the two male hippos arguing for rights to reign in the waterhole was exciting to watch and a sight I never tire of viewing. It makes me wonder who won, if anyone.
When last I saw the Nsuku male he was still a young sub adult with no name but quite large for his age. Now his looks are as impressive as his father’s. I’m guessing that he outranks Ntomi in size and weight, and considering they both were sired by the same male, it’s interesting. What impressed me the most was watching Nsuku carry that warthog up the trunk of the tree and place it o to his branch of choice. Talk about strength int only in his clawed feet to carry him up, but his jaw to hold the weight of his kill – what a feat. Thanks for this exciting video!
Thank you so much, Denise. I hope they stick together too and are able to take over a pride and some more territory soon.
Yes, I would say he is probably larger than the Ntomi Male, but I would love to see them side to side.
Hi Sean. Any idea why the Ntsevu males crossed the river?
They tend to traverse quite an extensive section of the reserve on both sides of the river and so they were probably wanting to venture into the northern parts of the area and they just see the river as a slight inconvenience not as a boundary.
Truely Incredible! Any Idea what Nsuku stands for / what his name refers to ?
Thank you so much, Gawie. Nsuku is the Shangaan word for golden in reference to his striking golden coat.
What a fantastic video, Sean!! This was really so special. The Nsuku leopard hoisting his prey, the mega cute little lion cubs, the hippos fighting in such a ferocious ways and final as the highlight of the video this amazing crossing of the river by the lions. Could they defend themselves against a crocodile if one would attack them? This is so special and must also be pretty frightening to these brave brothers.
If one looks at those ferocious and dangerous teeth of the hippos, makes one really shudder at the thought that one of these big animals could attack you.
Watching the lions crossing a river is however, the most awe inspiring meeting one can have. As you said, the sound of them walking slowly through these treacherous waters is so exciting and amazing. I wish I could have been there.
Thank you so much, Christa. I think the lions could probably defend themselves against a crocodile in shallow waters and if they stick together and help each other they would likely be fine. But in deep waters, with an enormous crocodile, I think it would be difficult for a lone lion to fend off a crocodile.