As we reflect on the week that’s been—crisp winter mornings giving way to warm, sunlit days—we’ve been privileged to witness a wonderful array of wildlife across the reserve. From dramatic sunrises to epic predators and peaceful views of giraffes, birds, and more, nature continues to deliver unforgettable moments.
The Kambula Pride remain a highlight, with the Kambula Lioness and her four cubs providing us with amazing sightings. One particular morning, we watched the rest of the pride walk along the road past our vehicle with one of the Ndzenga Males.
We were equally thrilled to spend time with the Nkoveni Female and her growing male cub. They are spending more time apart these days as he is nearing independence. Most of the leopard images are of the duo this week, as they have been found consistently in the central parts of Londolozi.
We also enjoyed a lovely sighting of the Three Rivers Female, quietly scent-marking her way through the Maxabene riverbed and onto an open crest at dusk.
To top it all off, we witnessed a peaceful scene of a young cheetah, a group of rhinos meeting at a midden and a flock of Oxpeckers on a buffalo’s back.
Let us know which images are your favourites in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
We were treated to a thrilling experience watching the whole Kambula Pride walk up the road and then pass our vehicle.
A wildebeest dusts itself at dusk.
The golden glow of a new day at Londolozi. There is nothing better than finding an animal on the airstrip at first light to photograph, and we were spoiled to discover a giraffe one morning.
The Nkoveni Young Male Leopard hopped onto a fallen tree and scanned the area for his mother.
The Kambula Cubs peering through some long grass.
The Three Rivers Female stares across a clearing towards a herd of impala in the distance.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
A Brown-hooded Kingfisher and an elephant bull face off!
A flock of Red-billed Oxpecker’s settle on a buffalo bulls back.
A male giraffe scratches his face on the bark of a marula tree.
With anticipation, A Kambula Cub stretches whilst waiting for a chance to nurse.
The Nkoveni Female drinks with a wonderful reflection in the water.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A lioness from the Kambula Pride uses a termite mound to scan her surroundings.
A touching moment between a Ndzhenga Male and his new offspring.
The Nkoveni Young Male is starting to look like an adult!
One of my favourite birds, the Harrier-hawk. This particular individual is scratching around this dead tree for any prey.
The Nkoveni Young Male confidently crosses the Londolozi Airstrip in broad daylight. What a sighting!
A Cheetah Cub stare down.
A Kambula Male strides through a clearing to join up with his brothers who were following the scent of a lioness from the Nkuhuma Pride in the North.
A black Crake and three terrapins share a limited space on a rock in the Sand River.
A portrait of a beautiful Lion Cub
Is the leopard with the injured leg and her cub ok?
They’re all wonderful, Nick – but my favourite this week is of the Nkoveni young male on the fallen tree, simply stunning.
Lovely photos
All great pictures Nick, but if I had to pick, I love the lion cubs peering through the grass and the giraffe in the sunrise. I always love pictures of cheetahs and leopards!!! I would like to know your favorite month for animal viewing and weather.
Also, any good news about Ximungwe and cub?
Hi Belle, thanks for the comment. The best months for game viewing are in the winter months as the weather is often clear and cool. I personally enjoy the months of May and June.
My first favourite is the Nkoveni female drinking with her nigh on perfect reflection. My second is the young cheetah. But they’re all soooooo good. Wow!
Question? Aren’t those red billed oxpeckers or is it my imagination?
Hi Tracey, thanks for the comment. Yes you are correct, they are all Red-billed Oxpeckers.
Magnificent photos. I start every day with the Londolozi Blog…changes my perspective on life in these troubled times.
I especially admired the black/white leopard study.
BUT…The oxpeckers on the buffalo are Red-billed, not Yellow
Thanks for the comment. I have corrected the typo! appreciate the heads up.
They are all wonderful pictures. I have a few that are a favorite: Kambula Cubs peering through some long grass, Kambula Cub stretches, Nkoveni Young Male and portrait of a beautiful Lion Cub.
Just love the Lion cubs! The light was perfect!
Many Lovely pics, really
Two stand out for me: Giraffe silhouette at Sunset
And brillance Nkoveni gemalen drinking.
Wish you were there!!!
Well done. Wonderful series of images
How wonderful those pictures are! It’s impossible to pick up.one… by subject, lights, shades, colours…. the lion cub closing up is absolutely a charming sweetie! The Nkoveni Female drinking is perfect. I am captured by the wildebeest and the misty dust in the fading light… lion and cub is so sweet too. The cheetah cub may be a king (or a queen?) Really amazing! The lovely Three Rivers female has got rather a pensive look, not the wild one someone would expect when observing a possible prey. And her daughter? And yes, how’s the Ximungwe female with her cub? The crake and the terrapins make quite an original image. Looking at the handsome Nkoveni young male, Joy Adamson ‘s words resound in my mind “leopards squint “… when they focus on . Great
Thanks for the comment! The Three River’s Female is doing well. She was not present in the sighting so I didn’t get a snap of her. She is doing well.
A great collection this week, Nick, highlighting shots taken in the golden light! My fav is the giraffe silhouetted at dawn – frameable!
Great pictures all – but the Harrier Hawk and the leopard reflected in the water are OUTSTANDING!!!!
Hi Nick, you have beautiful photo’s in this week’s TWIP’S. My favorite would be the Nkoveni young male cub crossing the air strip in daylight. The cub staring straight at you is also a beautiful photo. Nkoveni drinking water with her reflection in the water is stunning. Is the Ximungwe female alright after she has injured her leg. I really hope she will be okay as she still has a young cub to look after and feed.
those Kambula cubs are too adorable!
Terrific TWIP Nick in part because of your use of the early winter lighting. Favorites include the wildebeest at dusk, the giraffe crossing the airstrip early morning, the lion cubs peeking through the grass, as well as the beautiful reflection of Three Rivers female as she was drinking. Also impressive is seeing the more adult version of the Nkoveni young male. His face has morphed from a wide eyed sub-adult into a leopard who is on his way to independence. Thanks for sharing these wonderful moments you captured.
That shot of the Kambula cubs is priceless! All are wonderful … as always!
I’d like to know how the injured leopard and her cub are please, also we have not heard much of the lone lioness, I’m sorry I’m bad with the names but the animals are often on my mind especially the underdogs who have such hard lives
Wonderful variety, Nick! Are all of the Kambula cubs now integrated with the rest of the pride, or are the youngest of them still off with their mothers separately? I love the giraffe at sunrise and the perspective of the kingfisher and the elephant. The Harrier Hawk was a unique capture, too.
Dear Nick, now the wonderful time of lights is starting-amazing pics, hard to say what is favorite , but at all it is Nkoveni at the waterhole-fantastic.
Superb photo of the Nkoveni female and her reflection.