This week’s Virtual Safari is a leopard-lover’s dream.
We begin by following the Three Rivers Female, her contact calls echoing softly through the bush. Our first thought is that she’s made a kill and is on her way to fetch her daughter. Moments later, the two reunite, and as always, it’s a joy to watch. The greeting between a mother leopard and her cub is filled with such intensity and warmth, it feels like they’ve been apart for days, even though it’s likely only been a few hours.
From there, we spend time with the Ngungwe Female, feeding high in a beautiful jackalberry tree before she, too, begins to call. Her cub is close by. In golden morning light, she descends the trunk and gently leads her youngster away into the Sand River.
A few days later, while with the Plains Camp Males resting in the river, the Ngungwe Female appears again, this time with a carcass dangling from her mouth. To our surprise, it’s a cane rat, the first I’ve seen here at Londolozi. She carries it back to her cub, and from a distance, we’re treated to a rare, relaxed view of the two together, each encounter helping the cub grow more comfortable around vehicles.
And finally, don’t miss the Rangers’ highlights — a collection of some of the most special recent moments out here, rounding off this week’s safari with a flourish.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
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Dear Sean, realy great safari with my favorites- leopards . Only if it was a small sequences the pangoline is the absolutly hammer impression, the way of walking, super.
Thank you so much, Jutta. I am so glad you enjoyed the brief sighting of the pangolin.
Hi Sean, this video is a one-in-a-million to me, a wish upon a star realised …. first, the Three Rivers duo is simply magnificent, they are such gorgeous animals and seeing their unchanged affection, in spite of the daughter s age, they are still very close. Then the Ngungwe female and her little cub, definitely adorable! The eyes of the cub… a male or a female? They are similar, sort of smiling leopards! Again the behaviour of a mother and her cub is unique… the cane rat, so interesting, I never saw one even in a video. Apparently the rarest mammal until now! The Ngungwe female looks very easy even passing
by such titanic lions as the Plain Camp males! To The moments – I felt my heart wrenching when the Mangheni pride was killing the zebra, the sounds made by the poor animal… the Nkoveni young male is such a funny guy like the Ntomi male in the past… the Nkoveni Female is the best to me, a Mother that has given so much of herself and still is a force to be reckoned with. And the same the Tsalala female. Examples of resistance and will to go on, alone and brave… absolutely a dream from the beginning to the end. Thank to you and all the rangers!
Francesca, thank you for such a thoughtful message! You captured the spirit of the week beautifully. From the affection of the Three Rivers Duo, to the Ngungwe Cub’s bright eyes, and even the tougher moments like the Ntseuv Pride on the zebra. You’re right, these mothers — Nkoveni, Tsalala, and others — show such resilience. We feel lucky every day to spend time with them.
What a wonderful way to begin a Sunday Sean, with the video being leopard-centric. The daughter of Three Rivers is just about as big as her mother now and I was stunned to see her later in your video dragging the kill that was larger than her. Her independence is imminent I would think. After successfully raising two males, Nkuwa looks to be doing well with her new cub, and having just one should be easier for her this time, although nothing is certain. Loved the additional clips, especially Nick’s of young Nkoveni male trying to balance on a branch not strong enough for his weight and falling down – humorous but potentially dangerous. Another good one was Chris’s capture of Three Rivers successfully taking her carcass up the tree, always amazing to watch the female leopards hoist an antelope species that larger than herself.
Spot on, Denise — Three Rivers’ Young Female is really coming into her own now, and that hoist up the tree was just incredible to witness. And yes, Nick’s clip gave us all a chuckle, though as you say, it’s not without risk for a young leopard learning the ropes! Nkuwa’s little one is such a joy to watch too — time will tell how she fares.
Wonderful videos of mums and cubs! And I really liked the ranger “shorts,” with their fun, sometimes laughable, shots!
Thanks Mary Beth! Those ranger shorts are always fun to include. The team has a knack for capturing those lighthearted, in-between moments that make it all so real.
Thanks for this great virtual safari, Sean and all the other guides who added their videoclips. A fantastic collection of sightings! The reaction of the leopards to the hyenas e.g. is amazing and their strength and stamina as well when it comes to securing their prey.
I loved seeing the Tsalala lioness and, of course, the pangolin walking in the bush.
Thanks Christa, so glad you enjoyed it! The leopards’ strength when hyenas are around is always something special to see. And yes, the Tsalala lioness and that pangolin were real highlights for us as well — sightings we don’t take for granted.
Brilliant, Sean….and I loved the ranger highlights, especially Ntomi with the hyena he hadn’t spotted, also the young Nkoveni male falling out of the tree!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. I am glad you loved the Ranger highlights. It was nice to be able to include them.
Hi Sean. Thanks for this video filled with beautiful footage of mother leopards and cubs. All the mothers are so unique in there own way and cubs are always the best little fur balls growing up so fast, imitating mom on every occasion possible.
Thank you Valmai! Couldn’t agree more, each of the mothers has her own unique way of raising cubs, and watching those little ones try to copy mom never gets old. They really do grow up so quickly.
“Leopard heavy”….a perfect introduction to any video.
A lot of amazing sightings – The Cane Rat is unique!
Thanks so much, Gawie.