A couple of days ago, Nick Tennick and I decided to take advantage of our time off without guests and go on a walk. While considering where to walk, we both agreed that we should venture into the northern parts of Londolozi and explore the Mahlahla and Maliliwane drainage lines. Two very prominent drainage lines on Marthly and areas we hadn’t both explored since we were in training.
So our plan was to drive through the Sand River and get ourselves a bit closer before we started our adventure on foot. Crossing the causeway while heading north, we noticed a familiar resident watching the fish swimming in the water below. Moments after seeing this Giant Kingfisher, it swooped down in an attempt to catch a fish. Although unsuccessful, I managed to capture this photo before we watched him fly off into the reeds on the northern side of the river.
An unsuccessful fishing attempt for this Giant Kingfisher.
Watching him disappear, we noticed a petite blue figure on a stump in the water. Both quickly putting our binoculars to our eyes in anticipation of what we both thought it might be… A Half-collared Kingfisher. A first for both of us this year, and something I had never seen at the causeway. The perfect start, and we hadn’t even started walking yet.
This was the sight we were greeted with as it flew into the reeds behind this Half Collared Kingfisher.
Once we made it to Mahlahla Dam, we parked our car and began our walk.
While we were both highly aware of our surroundings and alert, Nick took the lead with the rifle, and I brought along my camera to document what we saw along the way. Below are photos I captured during the walk through two of the most untouched drainage lines at Londolozi (by humans). There is something mystical about exploring these areas, and I hope the photos below do these incredibly beautiful areas of Londolozi some justice.
In no particular order, here they are:
The shell of a Giant Land Snail.
A rubbing post that had recently been used by a rhino.
One of the very few Rubber Hedge Euphorbias that we see at Londolozi. Often fed on by Black Rhinos, unfortunately, no sign of the rhinos around that area.
Once we left the Mahlahla Drainage, we began walking across to the Maliliwane Drainage. The light was unreal this morning.
Leopard tracks on the Northern Boundary.
Elephant and white rhino tracks. We followed the rhino track all the way to the Maliliwane Drainage.
Making it to the Maliliwane Drainage, we noticed fresh elephant dung indicating that they moved through the area earlier that morning.
The colours of winter, here a few fallen leaves from a tamboti tree and a combretum tree rest on a dead log.
We couldn’t help but marvel at the root system of this knobthorn tree.
An epic morning in these drainage lines with Nick!
Next time you’re at Londolozi, be sure to ask your ranger if you can explore these incredible parts of our property.
Lovely , my guess is the solitude and the ambiance made this a very measurable experience
Fabulous blog Pat, what a treat- thank you for sharing that special experience with us!
Wow! Two fantastic kingfishers. Well done. thanks for the walk to an area less traveled, looks stunning.
What a diverse blog, it sounds very intriguing! How fascinating the Tamboti and the root system of the knobhorn tree! I see wild Euphorbia here, but the species in South Africa are quite different… such a intimate walk in the drainage… I’d love trips that.are out of order, you never know what you can see.
Good idea to make a photo “journey” about your walk.
Your photo of that Giant Kingfisher reflected in the water is perfect! And I have never seen a Half-collared Kingfisher. Such a beautiful little bird. What a great start to your walk.
I will certainly ask my ranger to explore these wonderful drainage lines on foot during my next time at Londolozi.
Hi Patrick, your photo’s are beautiful and it is so dangerous walking there in the drainage lines. Luckily Nick had his gun with him in case of any danger. Beautiful to see these huge trees and their roots.
What a wonderful way to spend the morning, enjoying a walk-about in the drainage lines. I hadn’t realized they were accessible for your guests as well as you. I appreciated seeing your images of the little things found along the way, as walking affords more opportunities to take the time to look around. And then, what a find – the Half-Collared Kingfisher – a stunning bird. Personally, I love driving through the dry riverbeds where so many trees have exposed roots, showcasing intricate abstract art formations. Perhaps next year I can try a walk to see what treasures I can find along the way.
What a fun trek! And the golden morning light made it beautiful as well. Running into the leopard whose tracks you spotted would have made it a dream walk!
I don’t always make time to read the daily blogs but I’m so glad I did today. Your attention to the details of the things you noticed along the way, accompanied by your photographs, almost made me feel I’d come along too. A more peaceful version of the weekly safari drive posts, which I also love. Please do similar again!