June and July, the heart of winter at Londolozi, have brought a range of remarkable moments, both in nature and within the lodge.
In this blog, we’ve gathered some of our favourite recent Instagram Reels that capture the season’s essence. From peaceful time spent at the Londolozi Healing House, to dramatic lion encounters, rare leopard sightings, and our special Mandela Day celebration, each one reflects a piece of what makes this place so magical.
Enjoy the highlights of June and July, and we’d love to know which one is your favourite – let us know in the comments below!
1. A Look Inside the Londolozi Healing House
This reel offers a beautiful glimpse into the Londolozi Healing House—a sanctuary of curated treatments designed to restore and rejuvenate. From body activation sessions featuring a revitalizing cold plunge followed by time in the sauna, to guided meditation and open-air yoga, it’s a journey of true wilderness healing.
View this post on Instagram
2. A Magnificent Lion Walk-By
Early winter mornings in the bush often bring moments like this: cool, crisp air, golden light, and lions on the move.
These are the hours when big cats are most active, making the most of the lower temperatures before the heat of the day sets in.
View this post on Instagram
3. The Tsalala Lioness vs. Nkuhuma Pride
In this intense encounter, the lone Tsalala lioness is chased by members of the Nkuhuma Pride.
This moment highlights the constant challenges she faces in a landscape ruled by larger, more dominant prides. Her resilience and ability to navigate these threats are a true testament to her strength and adaptability.
View this post on Instagram
4. Family Moments in the Wild
This reel showcases why Londolozi is the perfect destination for a family adventure.
Imagine your day beginning by tracking leopards at sunrise and ending beneath a sky full of African stars. Start with hot chocolate and elephants in the morning mist, then return to camp where children enjoy the Cubs Den, adults relax at the Healing House, and everyone comes together for pool time, high tea, and an afternoon game drive.
The day ends with dinner under the stars, gathered around a crackling fire, no screens, just genuine connection across generations.
View this post on Instagram
5. The Call of the Ndzhenga Male Lion
One of the Ndzhenga male lions answers a distant roar, a powerful reminder that these territories are always contested. As he passes the vehicle, his call reverberates through the bush…
View this post on Instagram
6. A Precious Moment with an Elephant Mother and Her Calf
A small elephant calf stands close to its mother in the river, gently exploring with its trunk as it learns about its environment.
View this post on Instagram
7. A Father’s Day Tribute from the Wild
In honour of Father’s Day, we shared this heartwarming moment of lion cubs playfully tumbling over a male lion. His quiet patience and strength reflect the often unseen but deeply felt role of fathers in the wild.
To the protectors, playful guides, and steady supporters, this was our way of celebrating all the fathers and father figures out there.
View this post on Instagram
8. Golden Horizons and Starry Nights
This reel celebrates the beauty of the ever-changing skies at Londolozi. From golden sunsets to starlit nights, each transition brings its own sense of wonder.
View this post on Instagram
9. The Starry Skies of Londolozi
A tribute to the starry skies of Londolozi: this reel brings together timelapses of our breathtaking nights under the African sky.
View this post on Instagram
10. Lion Conflict: Plains Camp vs. Nkuhuma & Talamati
The enormous Plains Camp Male lions snuck up and ambushed the Nkuhuma Male and Talamati Male lion while they were mating with one of the Ntsevu Lionesses. Initially, the Plains Camp Males pinned down the Nkukuhma Male, who managed to get away. The Talamati Male then stood up to the much larger Plains Camp Males, only to get himself into some pretty serious trouble. See more on this story here.
View this post on Instagram
11. An Update on Ximungwe Female Leopard and Her Cub
Against all odds, the Ximungwe Female leopard continues to survive, and so does her cub.
After weeks of uncertainty, watching her struggle with a badly injured leg and not seeing her cub for some time, we finally received a positive update. The leopard appeared to be feeding well, and to our relief, her cub was spotted alongside her, also seemingly well-fed — a true miracle in the wild.
View this post on Instagram
12. New Life at Londolozi: The Nkuwa Female Leopard and Cubs
The Nkuwa Female leopard, one of Londolozi’s most iconic leopards, has begun a new chapter as a mother once again. Recently spotted gently carrying one of her tiny cubs, she offered us a rare and deeply moving sighting. Her cubs, born in early March, are just beginning to explore the world beyond their den, and we’ve been lucky enough to witness it.
View this post on Instagram
13. The Nhlanguleni Female Leopard Watches Elephant Herd Cross Riverbed
A peaceful scene unfolded as the Nhlanguleni Female leopard watched a herd of elephants cross the dry riverbed, two iconic species sharing space in perfect stillness.
View this post on Instagram
14. Granite Suites: Immersed in Nature and Luxury
The elephants have their watering holes, and you have yours.
The Private Granite Suites at Londolozi offer one of the most luxurious experiences in the wild.
Picture this: your private heated pool reflecting the silver morning light, the gentle murmur of the Sand River below, and breeding herds of elephants wandering the ancient riverways just beyond your deck.
View this post on Instagram
15. Leopard Meets Pangolin
The Nkoveni Young Male leopard was stalking impala just meters away—tense, focused, ready to strike—when he suddenly pounced… on a pangolin. One of the rarest and most surprising encounters in the wild.
He pawed, prodded, and even tried to chew through its protective scales, but after 10 minutes, he gave up and disappeared into the bush.
View this post on Instagram
16. Celebrating Mandela Day at Londolozi
The 18th of July marked a special day in South Africa — Mandela Day — which we love celebrating here at Londolozi. Guests, staff, and family members came together in the spirit of Ubuntu to plant thousands of seeds, raise funds, and honour Madiba’s legacy by creating ripples of positive change. See more about how we spent our Mandela Day here…
View this post on Instagram
That’s our June and July round-up! To stay updated with all the amazing videos, follow us on Instagram and be part of the adventure.
Thanks so much Megan for these wonderful videos, a few in fact that are personal favorites of mine. If a new reader saw this post and had never taken a safari, this would certainly prompt them to call a travel professional immediately.
Thanks so much, Denise! Thrilled to hear these are some of your personal favourites.
Great insights into life at Londolozi
Thank you, Christa. So glad you enjoyed this glimpse into life at Londolozi.
I subscribed to the daily blog…with no issues. Could not get any of these videos to play?
Any ideas??? Please help! I would love to view and forward to family considering a visit.
Hi Patricia!
Thanks so much for subscribing. We’re thrilled to have you following along. Sorry to hear the videos aren’t playing! A few quick things to try:
Refresh the page or try a different browser (like Chrome or Safari).
You can also view all the videos directly on Instagram using this link: https://www.instagram.com/londolozi/
Hi Megan, first, I had so many different thrills and emotional experiences along with professional involvement while looking at the superb videos. The Ximungwe female and her sweet cheerful cub is something that touches so in depth anybody protection instinct and pure love. How can anyone look at this brave, beautiful, exceptional mother and her fluffy son without feeling deeply for them? The emotional feeling of seeing her improving and their relationship is something unique. The Tsalala female ‘s hard situation in between her solitude and need of company… the father and sons… the elephant mother and her delightful tiny calf… amazing spectacular lions, fighting, roaring, loving, fleeing… the Nkoveni young male, a future insatiable ultimate hunter, following the ability of her mother… then a melancholic feeling starts, the Nhlanguleni female looking far, at the crossroads and elephants going their way… the sunset, romantic, enhancing animals and trees silhouettes… in the end the starry skies, almost overwhelming in their raw beauty, crowning dead and live trees with glory and immortality, like stars, that some are alive and other “dead” when we look at them…. videos that stay in your heart and beat there for a long while…
Your words capture it all, Francesca, thank you!
would love to be back in Africa love the lion and cubs jumping all over dad love the starry night and dinner looks like it is going to be good the love the majesty of the lion love it all if I had the money I would be there tomorrow thanks for the photos Lyn
Thanks, Lyn! Hope you get back to Africa soon!
Hi Megan, thank you for these reels which show us the animals in their own environment. Small cubs and a calf are always the best. Londolozi at it’s best.
So glad you enjoyed them, Valmai.
Megan, Thanks so much for sharing all the highlights! They are amazing! We had missed a couple of them and we are glad to catch up!
You’re welcome, Michael and Terri! So glad you could catch up on the highlights.