The winter months are a fantastic time to view these iconic cats, and I’m excited to share some of my favourite moments from recent game drives around Londolozi Game Reserve.
On the leopard front, the Ximungwe Female and her cub are thriving. With her leg injury almost fully healed, we watched her drink from a mud wallow before moving through a rocky section in search of prey. The Nkoveni Female and her young male feature prominently, and a surprise visit from the Nkuwa Female perched on a rock bathed in golden light was a memorable highlight.
Male lion activity has been equally impressive. The coalitions roaming the reserve make a feature. This week’s images include the Plains Camp Males, Gijima Males, and Ndzenga Males, along with the Tsalala Female and a rare sighting of the Skorro Male, who was seen hunting buffalo in Londolozi’s northern reaches one morning.
Adding to the variety, we had an extraordinary encounter with a Pangolin crossing the road, and witnessed some fascinating interactions between an African painted dog and two hyenas.
To round things off, a charming family of Egyptian Geese, majestic elephants, and a regal African Fish Eagle also make their appearance in this TWIP.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures…
A breathtaking view of the Ximungwe Female drinking from a mud wallow.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
We bumped into the Nkuwa Female walking down the road… What a surprise. She then paused before walking past our tyres.
Raised as an intact litter, first in 7 years, who has now made her own history by raising two males to independence as an intact litter.
The Plains Camp Males walked through the Sand River in front of Varty Camp Deck and decided to rest on some granite boulders.
The Nkuwa Female scans the grasslands for any prey. The golden winter light and the small boulder that she chose to perch on made this moment.
An African Painted Dog jumps away from two advancing Hyenas.
A buffalo bull stares down the cameraman…
I had the pleasure of sharing a winter sunrise from Ximpalapala Koppie with my guests.
The Dark-maned Gijima Male was seen patrolling deep into the Ndzhenga Males’ territory in the south of Londolozi. These two brothers are a huge threat and could be the next kings of the Sabi Sands.
The Skorro Male returned to Londolozi recently and we had an incredible sighting of him hunting buffalo in the Northern parts of the reserve.
The Nkoveni Female
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
We spent the morning following the tenacious Tsalala Female. She is still roaming the reserve on her own, and we suspect she is going to give birth in the coming weeks.
The Nkoveni Young Male nestled himself perfectly in the “V” of a tree for a morning snooze.
The Nkoveni Young Male rests on a mound in some beautiful afternoon sunlight.
We encountered a cute family of Egyptian Geese!
The Ximungwe Female walks straight to our vehicle as her young cub plays on a set of boulders nearby.
The Ndzhenga Male follows the scent of the Kambula Pride and their six young cubs. He eventually found them a few moments later resting in a clearing.
A pangolin crossing the road was a highlight sighting of 2025 so far!
The Ximungwe Female walks up a riverbed towards a tree where she had stored a kill earlier in the day.
A huge lion paw and a different perspective…
It is always a pleasant time watching a herd of elephants quenching their thirst at a waterhole.
An African beauty and a fish hunting specialist – the African Fish Eagle
An Ndzenga Male smells the air in an attempt to track down the Kambula pride.
Another elephant, this time a young bull, was playing around in the mud.
Ah, Nick. Too many wonderful shots to pick from. Good to again see the Skorro male who we encountered 3 times in 2023. I can’t imagine he’ll be lingering on Londolozi what with all the lion coalitions there. And continued blessings on Tsalala. Beautiful framing of the African fish eagle and Egyptian goose family.
Hi, the Aegyptian geese swimming all ordered and compacted, with water bright trails after each one of them is fantastic! All pictures are very beautiful and well captured. The Nkuwa female in the golden winter light is so mesmerising and loves in awe. She’s so beautiful, a lovely head eyes and long body like gee mother. The Ximungwe female drinking…. I’m over the moon for her and her cub. Fingers crossed for the lovely and bold Tsalala female! The Skomale is absolutely gorgeous! I was struck by the buffalo eyeing at you… the elephant playing in the mud, the pangolin, the Sleeping Beauty ergo the Nkoveni young male… all are incredible. The Ndzenga male reaching for his pride, such a relief, finally the poor females and cubs are protected! I wish they may find a safe way out of the current situation… many compliments bravo!
Sorry I typed several words wrong, anyway I meat the Skorro male…
I am thrilled to see an update on the Tsalala female. I wondered if she was pregnant after she was seen mating awhile back (although I can’t remember which male she was seen with). This is exciting news!
Just photos , I see the Wild Dog seems to be collared ?
Wow Nick, another fabulous TWIP! The pangolin ……….!!!!! How heartwarming to see the Ximungwe female nearly healed and she and her cub thriving. Holding thumbs for the Tsalala female. All the other pictures are equally wonderful. Thank you so much. Wish we were at Londolozi.
Great photos Nick! The pangolin and fish Eagle are two of my favorites!
Love the Plain Camp male photo! So regal! Also the ellies on the water are so beautiful! And finally the cutest little goose family are my faves this week!
A wonderful week of images, Nick. I’m happy to see the Ximungwe female healthy again and the goslings are darling! Seeing Nkuwa is special – love that still-pink nose! I still remember her and her sister as little cubs. Finally, it’s reassuring that the Tsalala female is still looking good and that more cubs are on the way!
Obviously the winter months have been great for viewing given the variety of animals posted by you for TWIP. Favorites – all of them! But I would be remiss if I didn’t choose Tsalala, who looks amazing – but even better is that she is pregnant. Fingers crossed that she will be able to protect this litter given the lion dynamics occurring presently. Following on, other favorites include the Skorro male, Ximungwe’s images, Nkuwa, and the Nkoveni young male sleeping in the tree. But kudos for the Buffalo with that blade of grass hanging from his lip, the Egyptian goose and her goslings, the Pangolin crossing the road, and finally the Elephant bull enjoying his mud bath. Fantastic photos Nick!
Wonderful pictures as always. My favorite is the young bull, was playing around in the mud
Hi Nick, thanks for so many different animal images this week. So glad to see the Ximungwe female’s leg has healed nicely. Nkoveni is still a favorite of mine as is the Ximungwe female. My favorite is the Nkoveni’s young male leopard sleeping in the V of a tree. Tsalala female is looking wonderful and we will soon see her cubs.
Great TWIP Nick! I loved all the great shots of the Ximungwe Female. I especially love the return of the Skorro Male, and hope he stay around for a while. But the brilliant and resilient Tsalala Female always steals my hear! Long may she roam, and wishing her the best of luck on the pending birth!
Thanks for these beautiful photos of the week, Nick. All my favourite leopards and lions are alive and so good- looking. Great that the Ximungwe has recovered. Fantastic to hear that the Tsalalala lioness is giving birth soon. I do hope that she will be luckier with the new litter than with her first one. It’s so difficult to a single lioness to raise cubs.
And – I really envy you- you saw a pangolin, a PANGOLIN!, crossing the road.
In 24 Safaris in about a hundred different places I have only seen a Pangolin twice: Once at night, curled up under a bush at Tswalu and once during the day, also hidden in a bush, at Londolozi. Great news!
Oh, yes and nearly forgotten: I love this big gaggle of tiny little geese following their mum or dad. So cute!
That family of Egyptian geese – THAT is togetherness! And the the Ximungwe Female drinking from a mud wallow – she defines grace and elegance!
I’m picking 2, the Nkoveni young male looking so comfortable in the V of the tree, and the pangolin as it’s so rare to get such a clear shot like that.
Good to see the Skorro male again, he still looks like he’s just been to the hairdressers!
Fantastic shots Nick! We especially love the one of the Pangolin! Bravo for finding one!
WoW!!!!!! The Tsalala Female!!!! Ive Been looking and Looking for ANY INFO on her!!!! So Excited to Finally see her and Know she is still pregnant w/cubs!!! I forget tho who she mated with!! So can someone PLEASE update me on that??? PLEASE!!!! ALSO-all the photos are GREAT!!! beautiful color!!! Of Course My Favorite Is My Girl!!!! THE TSALALA LIONESS!!!! THANKS SO MUCH !!!!!!