As we transition from the warmth of summer into the crisp embrace of autumn, the landscape around us is transforming in subtle yet spectacular ways. The sun, now lower in the sky, bathes the veld in softer, golden hues, casting longer shadows and giving the entire scene a serene, almost magical quality. With the changing season comes a shift in wildlife as young animals have begun to find their rhythm and the wildlife continues to flourish.
With sunrises becoming an integral part of the morning drive, sightings early in the morning allow for beautiful light to capture these creatures. The Nkoveni female continues to raise her young male cub with little pressure from the Ximungwe female who has opted to spend her time further south. The Three Rivers Young Female is exploring more of her mother’s territory and is doing well. While the Xinkhova female has established herself in the Plaque Rock female territory.
The Kambula Pride has been covering great distances as they continue to raise their growing offspring. Excitingly, the one lioness has given birth to a litter of four. Whether she will reintroduce them to the core pride or break away and form a pride of her own, considering their age gap, only time will tell. The Nkuhuma Breakaways are seen more regularly as they avoid neighbouring prides.
Last week, the Othawa Pride was frequently seen in the northern portion of the reserve. The change in season brings some exceptional photographic opportunities as the winter light glows more golden. We look forward to what the next season holds.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures…
With the days getting shorter, we get to watch the sunrise each morning soon after we set off on drive as it begins to illuminate the land
The abundance of young wildlife this time of year is always special to witness. This mother and calf drink at a waterhole before the heat of the day sets in.
The newest addition to the Kambula Pride. These four little cubs are about 2 months old.
One of the four cubs rests in the sand as the other three play nearby
After a brief downpour, a beautiful rainbow appeared and we found this Bateleur perched on a dead leadwood
A portion of the Othawa Pack rests in the Manyethi River after a morning of hunting.
We have been fortunate to have had sightings of the Othawa Pack on Marthly over the past week. These two wild dogs rested in the shade of a jackalberry tree in the Manyelthi River.
The Nkoveni Female and Nkoveni Young Male walk towards us on the road before encountering a herd of elephants.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
This young elephant caught sight of the young male and chased him off while the Nkoveni Female looked back towards us being framed by the belly of the elephant.
After moving through the elephant herd the Nkoveni Female climbed this marula tree as she had seen a herd of impala in the distance.
In recent times there seems to be a split in the Kambula Pride. This is the core of the pride who settled in a clearing after hunting during the night.
The Nkoveni Young Male soon followed his mother up the tree as he changed direction to join her in the tree canopy above.
A newborn elephant calf stays close to its mother as she drinks from the waterhole. This young calf, still unsure on its feet had only been born a few days prior to this.
At the same waterhole as the elephants this flock of Arrow-marked Babblers with their characteristic streaked breasts and red eyes bathed at the water’s edge.
Along with the elephants and Arrow-marked Babblers, this stunning Painted Reed Frog was on the water’s edge.
The Ximungwe Female rests here in the arm of a marula tree. She has been doing well raising her young cub who was resting in the grass nearby.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The Nkhuma Breakaway Young Male and his sister in the background are still avoiding other prides as they bide their time in their father’s territory. Fortunately, in recent times, they have shifted further east onto Marthly away from the Mhangeni Pride into a somewhat ‘vacant territory’.
The bold coat of the Karhula Female Leopard- daughter of the Ntsumi Female has been seen in the southern reaches of the reserve. Her striking coat is captivating and we hope she spends more time in the south.
This female was born in the Sabi Sabi camps and became territorial in central Shaws, after inheriting a piece of her mother's territory.
A large elephant bull casually feeding on the crest allowed for some stunning shots, I love how his ears are at full stretch here.
The Three Rivers Young Female nestled in a Tamboti thicket captures the green hues of her eyes as she waits for her mother to lead her to a kill.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
An African Jacana forages as a rhino bull mud bathes behind it.
The gorgeous Xinkhova Female uses a termite mound as a vantage point as she spots a herd of impala nearby.
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
This elephant bull crossed the Sand River while keeping a watchful eye on a Saddle-billed Stork.
The Xinkhova Female then lost interest in the herd of impalas and climbed a marula tree where she rested as the day set in.
Hi Kirst, my favourites are the 2 elephant photos with the Nkoveni female and saddle-billed stork.
Beautiful TWIP Kirst! I love the baby elephant and buffalo calf, and the frog. The Nkoveni Young male changing direction mid-leap was a fantastic capture! So many beautiful leopard shots as well.
Thanks Kirst for a lovely TWIP. All your images are terrific, but I especially like the painted tree frog, and the one of the Nkoveni young male in the fork of the tree as he changes direction.
Oops, I meant reed frog, not tree frog!
Terrific TWIP Kirst. You are correct in stating that it is truly spectacular here right now with the changes in weather allowing amazing sunsets as well as sunrises, and softer light throughout morning drives. I love your images of those adorable lion cubs as well as the tiny elephant, large in comparison to the tiny Tree Frog. All the leopard shots are stunning but I enjoyed seeing Nkoveni’s son climbing the tree to join her. Hopefully I’ll be able to see the Three Rivers female and cub before this trip ends as well as Xinkhova….. but we never know.
My favorite is the newborn elephant calf
Oh, my. Too many choices. The bateleur is tip top, with the rhino/jacana a close second. Reed frog and babblers round out the top four.
Your photos are so beautiful, Kirst. I love them all.
To mention only a few: The Saddle billed stork, in reality such a big bird, looks tiny next to the elephant. Buffalo mother and calf, completed by the oxpecker on mum’s nose, look so peaceful. And I love the two wild dogs, one having his paw across the other’s face. And, of course, all these gorgeous leopards. I am looking forward to seeing them again every week.
Kirst, Thanks for an amazing set of images! You covered a lot of territory and the multiple shots of the young are really special! We especially loved the shot of the newborn elephant calf!
What a fantastic week!!! Thought the sleeping wild dogs was fave then the baby ellie!!! Also love the b/w of Ximungwe Female
A fun collection of images this week, Kirst! While my favorite is that of the 2 wild dogs ‘cuddling’ in sleep, I admired your quick catch of the Nkoveni female just beginning to make her jump into a tree! I was also surprised by how far away she was from the tree trunk when starting her leap! Such power!
Lovely photos and no gore
Hi Kirst, my favorite foto’s are the Nkoveni female and her male cub. The lion cubs are so cute and will soon be sub adults. The Ximungwe female is also one of my favorite leopardesse.
Hi, all great photos, I love all big cats and cubs, but if I have to choose a picture, the one that immediately struck me was the Bateleur with the rainbow. Also the frog that was new to me and the jacana I’m sort of fond of ,as i wrote a thesis on it and poliandry. Of course all youngsters got my heart, the little lion is fantastic, the buffalo calf, the Nkoveni young male twitching and the Three Rivers young female, she’s that sweet look and is getting beautiful like her parents. Baby elephant is irresistible as the little lion. Another picture I stop on for long is the fantastic coat of the wonderful Karula female. Great twip
Stunning moments!