In the African bush, everything is connected. It is a place of profound relationships—where survival is shaped by bonds of trust, reliance, and unity. The silent gestures between a tracker and a ranger speak volumes. The loyalty of an elephant herd, guided by the wisdom of the matriarch, ensures the survival of its youngest members. The synchronized efforts of a wild dog pack demonstrate that strength lies not in the individual but in the collective. Even a lion coalition thrives not just because of brute force, but because of the ability to depend on one another. These connections are not only about survival; they are about thriving together.

The unbreakable bonds between elephants herds are truly inspiring.

The Kambula Males, a young coalition rising in prominence, are proving to be a formidable force. Like all coalitions before them, their success will depend on their ability to stay together, support each other, and defend what they claim. The wilderness teaches us that survival—and more than that, true fulfilment—depends on relationships. And in many ways, our lives mirror this natural rhythm.

Strength in unity. The Kambula Males, a coalition that are proving to be quite a formidable force, hopefully they claim territory soon.

Just as the wilderness moves through cycles of stored and released energy—water held in the clouds before a storm, or a leopard poised before an ambush—our relationships shift between potential and action. If you’ve ever spent time watching wildlife, you’ll notice that every interaction carries a form of energy—some stored, some released. This dynamic is not just a physical principle; it is the essence of relationships, both in the wild and in our own lives.

The Xinkhova Female ascends a marula tree, a moment of kinetic energy in motion.

Even the land itself tells stories of energy and connection. Ximpalapala, a koppie that rises from the northwestern corner of Marthly, holds an ancient presence, shaped by time and the slow forces of erosion. From its summit, you can look east toward the koppies of Marthly Pools and Southern Cross, stretching all the way to Stwies Koppie. To the west, the koppies of Ulusaba emerge on the boundary of the Sabi Sand. These formations rest upon an ancient dolerite dyke, a geological thread linking landscapes from the Drakensberg to the Lebombo Mountains—a reminder that even the land is connected, shaped by forces far older than us.

Shannon Dawson pauses atop Ximpalapala Koppie, reflecting on the vast landscape before her.

In human connection, potential energy exists in the bonds we cultivate—the trust we build, the silent understanding that grows over time. It is the foundation laid through shared experiences, the unspoken agreements between old friends, and the wisdom passed through generations. These relationships hold immense power, even if that power is not always immediately visible. But relationships cannot exist in potential energy alone. They must be set into motion—into kinetic energy—through action.

The Kambula Pride strolls through an open clearing. With many mouths to feed, their unity is their strength.

Just as a pride of lions reinforces their bond through grooming, affection, and coordinated hunting strategies, we must engage in the act of connection. A conversation, a shared meal, a moment of stillness, or an act of support in a time of hardship—these are the ways we transform potential into something real and impactful.

Stopping for a sunrise coffee on top of Ximpalapala Koppie is a bucket list activity for anyone who is part of the Londolozi family.

Climbing Ximpalapala is both a challenge and a shift in perspective, and it is an experience that everyone can aim to complete as they etch their own story into Londolozi’s landscape. For those who make the journey, the reward is not just the view but the realization that movement—both physical and emotional—renews our sense of purpose. The koppie’s scree slopes are a symbol of transformation. Over millions of years, boulders have eroded away, tumbling downward in moments of kinetic energy before coming to rest at the base. Relationships, too, can suffer the same fate. What begins with excitement and motion can stagnate if left unattended, becoming like the scattered rocks at the koppie’s foot—once full of potential, now still and forgotten.

One of the Plains Camp Males walks through an open clearing with the iconic silhouette of Ximpalapala Koppie behind him.

But just as we can rekindle a connection with nature by climbing to the top of Ximpalapala, we can reignite the energy in our relationships. Carrying a pebble from the base to the summit is a simple yet powerful act—a commitment to keeping our connections alive, to continuously moving forward instead of allowing them to settle into inertia. This tradition, started by alumni ranger Tom Imrie, has become one that my tracker, Geshom Mathebula, and I share with as many guests as possible. Each rock carried is a reminder that connections, like landscapes, are shaped by the effort we invest in them. And with every step taken toward the summit, we reaffirm the bonds that ground us.

Tracker Joy Mathebula takes in the golden light of sunrise from the summit of the koppie.

If you ever find yourself atop Ximpalapala, take a moment. Look out across the vast landscape, feel the warmth of the sunrise or the sunset against your skin, and let the potential energy of the world seep into you. Let that pebble be a promise—not just to the land, but to yourself. To nurture the relationships that matter, to turn stillness into motion, and to never let connection fade into inertia.