The final moments of summer days slip away and the bush is beginning its quiet transformation. The air, once thick with heat, now carries a faint crispness in the early mornings – a gentle whisper of the coming autumn. The chorus of cicadas is fading, and the once-familiar calls of migratory birds grow less frequent as they prepare for their long journeys north. Subtle yet undeniable, change drifts through the air as the landscape prepares itself for the shift in seasons. Often referred to as a “shoulder” season, it truly is a magical time to be in the bush.
This week features some familiar faces as well as some new ones. We welcome the four newest additions to the Londolozi Family as we have been treated to some spectacular viewing of one of the Kambula Lionesses and her new litter of cubs. The Nkoveni Young Male continues to grow in both size and confidence as he has started exploring more of his mother’s territory whilst she is off on hunting missions. Similarly, the Three Rivers Young Female has now surpassed the age that the Three Rivers Female when she lost her mother – we are feeling confident that this tenacious little female will have no issue in establishing herself amongst the leopardesses of Londolozi.
The Talamati and Nkuhuma Males continue to roam the southwestern grasslands as they shadow the great herds of buffalo, The Makomsava Female continues to patrol her territory in the north and regular sightings of wild dogs stir optimism within the team in the hope of at least one of the respective packs may be searching for potential den sites come the winter time. Lastly, Shingi Dam’s resident crocodile continues to amaze rangers, trackers and guests alike with its hunting prowess around the edges of the waterhole in the heart of the southeast.
With the seasons changing, new photographic opportunities emerge – softer light, richer colours, and adapting wildlife, it truly is an exciting time to be behind the lens.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
After deciding to go and search for the Nkoveni Female and her young male cub, something inside of me thought to have a careful scan of an African Weeping Wattle tree that the duo have been seen in with multiple kills over the past couple of months, and low and behold, The Nkoveni Young Male, lay perched along one of its branches.
The Nkoveni Female enjoyed some mother-son bonding as she lay beside our vehicle to groom her young male cub.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
One of the newest additions to the Londolozi Family. One of the Kambula lionesses has given birth to four new cubs.
A young Elephant Bull gracefully moves through the Ximpalapala crest in the latter hours of the afternoon.
The Kambula Lioness has been denning her four little ones in and around the Maxabene Riverbed which has made for some exceptional viewing in and amongst the contrasting sand of the riverbed.
Perfectly Poised. The Nkoveni Young Male takes a moment to rest in the bows of a marula tree as he patiently awaits his mother’s return.
A good old-fashioned standoff! A pack of wild dogs torment a small dazzle of zebra before heading off on their early morning hunt.
A high-key shot of a pair of Woodland Kingfishers. Sightings of these birds, synonymous with summer at Londolozi, are beginning to decrease as they leave in search of warmer pastures.
The Three Rivers Young Female gazes deeply toward our vehicle after having chased an alarmed tree squirrel.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
Two young zebra stallions engage in a dominance display.
Known for their fearsome bite, these two young stallions treated us to quite the spectacle.
The male subadults of the Kambula Pride are growing in both stature and confidence, how long before we start to see them spending less time with the rest of the pride?
Ranger Bryce Trodd takes a quiet moment to photograph his surroundings whilst sitting in the Manyelethi Riverbed.
The Nkoveni Young Male creeps along the bank of Shingi Dam, attempting to sneak up on some unsuspecting Egyptian Geese.
An incredibly unique sighting that is not often captured! The Alpha pair of a pack of wild dogs have started mating. We are all hoping that we could potentially see them using Londolozi as a denning site for the next generation of the pack.
The Kambula Lioness certainly has her paws full with the playful antics of the four newest additions to the pride.
Sibling bonds – A tender moment shared between two of the four new Kambula cubs.
A Southern Ground Hornbill perches atop a fallen log after having caught a Solifugae.
The residents of Shingi Dam. One of the largest crocodiles we see at Londolozi has been nothing short of successful over the recent months since returning to its regular hunting ground for the summer months. The neighbouring hippo bull watches on as the crocodile enjoys his feast.
It is absolutely incredible to witness the power and speed at which a large crocodile uses to tear apart its food into swallowable pieces.
A slightly more dramatic black-and-white edit of the Three Rivers Young Female as she surveys her surroundings.
The Makomsava Female pauses after spotting an unsuspecting herd of impala along her morning patrol.
The only surviving cub of the Nanga female, currently territorial northern Marthly. Currently denning north of boundary
The Talamati Male quenches his thirst after gorging himself on a Buffalo kill that he and the Nkuhuma Male managed to take down right beside Moody’s Pan.
A splendid TWIP , thank you Reece. Having been blessed to see Nkoveni’s young male when he was tiny (and sadly still had siblings) we have a very soft spot for him and your pictures of him are all stunning ! But every other picture is also magnificent. As usual therefore, we simply cannot select a favourite.
A wonderful collection of photos, Reece. The Kambula cubs are just adorable, so cute!
Great shots of the zebra stallions.
The huge crocodile is amazing, but also a bit scary.
I love all your photos and it’s so nice to see the young leopards thriving and growing into young adults.
Wow, how wonderful! So many fantastic pictures! It’s a highly difficult choice, I think I cannot do but have the little new lion cubs entwined as winners! They are something unique, they make me smile and make the day brighter! Then the Nkoveni young male is absolutely gorgeous. He appears as the most beautiful leopard with a bright and smart mind. The Three Rivers young female in black and white is special too. The fighting zebra stallions are splendid, zebra already are wonderful animals, but seeing them in movements like that is fantastic. The Makomsava female has a different beauty, less striking than Nkoveni ‘s but she’s definitely lovely. The Talamati male drinking with his reflection is a great photo to close all.
Dear Reece, fantastic PICS in this week. Love the leopards, and the cute lion cubs.
I really enjoyed your TWIP this week Reece, especially seeing the adorable Kambula cubs. They are truly four little characters when you see them pouncing and playing with one another. Great images of the young Three Rivers female and the Nkoveni male – both grows so quickly as they approach independence. But my favorites are your captures of the crocodile with his prey – those images are not seen very often. Equally impressive are the zebra stallions challenging one another.
Hi Reece, stunning photo’s once again in TWIP. My favorite this week is the Nkoveni young male leopard in the tree. He is really becoming a stunning leopard and soon he will be on his own. He also had to be named.
Thanks Reece for a great TWIP. So Makomsava is back on Londolozi again?
As for my favourites, the Kambula cubs are beyond cute. I also love all the ones of the Nkoveni young male, as he is one of my favourites after seeing him in November. . What a wonderful sighting you had of him and Nkoveni right next to your vehicle!
Really special images this week, Reece. The size of that crocodile! And those fighting zebra stallions! I’ve always wanted to see such action. And the Nkoveni female and her sin – precious! Thanks!
Oh, I forgot to mention the shot of the Makomsava female. I haven’t seen her since she was a cub alongside her mother Nanga and am thrilled that she’s thriving!
Two kingfishers on one branch! I don’t recall ever seeing that before!
I am so pleased that you saw the Makomsava Female. I saw her when she first emerged from her den and have only seen her twice since.
Great week!!! Those lion cubs take the win for me this week