With the current shift in lion dynamics, you’re never quite sure which lions you’ll find where. Over the past week, I’ve had a good run with the Kambula Lionesses. Both pairs—the two mothers of young cubs and the two without— and both were still on a morning hunt at the time. Despite being unsuccessful, the adrenaline in those moments was high.
Adding to the mix, the Gijima Males and the Talamati and Nkuhuma Males continue to move through the reserve. The Gijimas were even seen mating with a Ntsevu Lioness, further stirring the dynamics.
Leopards told a similar story of change. Both the Nkoveni Young Male and the Three Rivers Young Female are nearing independence, and sightings of them with their mothers are becoming less frequent. They are now stepping into their own, exploring the reserve with a blend of confidence and youthful curiosity.
Between the thrill of lions on the move, the calm of leopards in repose, and the charm of smaller creatures from mongoose to monitor lizards, the bush continues to show its rhythm. Each scene is just one note in the ongoing story of Londolozi.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
A fresh wound across the nose of one of the Gijima males hints at a recent tussle – we think most likely with one of the Plains Camp males. This is just a small battle mark in the life of a dominant male lion.
Soaking up the last of the winter mornings and the golden light. The Nkoveni female takes a break to rest on a termite mound after we had found her on a territorial petrol.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
More often found on her own these days the Three Rivers young female is coming to terms with her independence.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
A giraffe moves across the Sand River, pausing mid-step as it navigates the water despite the low levels.
Having crossed the river, this giraffe pauses on the bank to stare directly at us before it continues on – captured in a stark black and white edit.
On of the 2 Kambula lioness currently raising the 6 months old cubs, fixes her gaze on a herd of wildebeest just as the sun was coming up. While she crept forward through the grass, the 2nd lioness circled silently through the Bushwillow thickets in a coordinated attempt to outflank the herd. Though the hunt was unsuccessful, the tension of the moment was unforgettable.
Two dwarf mongoose bask in the morning sunshine at the entrance of their termite mound burrow. These tiny carnivores live in highly social groups, constantly grooming, foraging and keeping watch for danger.
Hidden between the branches of a Jackalberry tree, the Nkoveni female feeds on an impala kill.
The Nkoveni young male up in the the same Jackalberry as his mother, with blood-stained paws from the shared impala kill.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
The Talamati and Nkohuma males had been calling all morning until they eventually settled in the central parts of the reserve on a termite mound mound in the morning golden light.
Synchronised sleeping. The Talamati and Nkohuma males seem to enjoy finding a spot to rest on termite mounds.
A water monitor lizard rests on a sun-warmed rock along the Sand River. How it lost its leg we will never know, but it’s a clear reminder of the daily challenges and resilience of all reptiles and mammals.
After returning to a duiker carcass hoisted into a Schotia tree a third time, we got our timing just right to discover a new leopard in the area. The Makomsava young female, identified through her spot pattern, seems to be making appearances on Marthly, the northern section of the reserve more frequently.
All in the details. As part of a larger herd, this buffalo allowed us to appreciate the finer features and textures of these majestic animals up close.
Once an uncommon sight, yellow billed oxpeckers are now commonly seen perched on buffalo, as their number seem to have grown over the years across the area.
The Ximungwe female quenching her thirst after covering a fair amount of ground throughout the day pursuing her next meal.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Easily one of my favourite views from Londolozi as the sun sets over the northern Drakensberg mountains.
An African fish eagle perches atop a dead leadwood tree, with a flock of greater blue-eared starlings flitting and chattering around it, bringing movement and sound to the quiet sentinel’s perch.
Great job as always, Kelsey. The last photo – of the African fish eagle and blue eared starlings – is #1.
I agree. There is just something about it! Also, there is just something about the peaceful acceptance on the face of the Gijima male – with wound, without wound, it is all the same. Very Zen like.
Thanks Michael, that is very true! It is just the way things are.
Thank you Willa! 🙂
Hi Kate, I’m absolutely in love with the Nkoveni Female and the Ximungwe female, sister in trouble, facing near death and surviving while getting exhausted for their offsprings, their beauty reflects their perfect biology, but I can’t resist to pick up the picture of the Talamati and Nkuh7ma males sleeping! Like carbon copies… the buffalo details is impressive, as you wrote. The giraffe absolutely fascinating, and the young leopards coming of age, nearly independent, it’s a bittersweet sensation, anyway, all so beautiful and photogenic, the Nkoveni young male being an absolute stunning guy. The sun setting is mesmerising. The Kambula lioness so lovely in that light, she empowers bravery. The Talamati and Gijma males are on the opposite side of age and experience, stunning, both appear calm and relaxed with a regal aurea as male lions typically are when they can rest… fantastic! Thank you!
Thank you for summing up pictures so well Francesca! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Great TWIP Kelsey – love the Nkoveni female on the impala kill and the buffalo shots
Thanks Simon! 🙂
Gijima male pic takes the week for me! Awesome shot!
Thanks Anita!
Dear Kelsey, thanks for that nice TWIP. i am so glad to see Nkoveni managed her injury with such an effort, unbelievable.
Thanks Jutta
Great images, Kelsey! My fav is that of the Gijima male and his warrior wounds – a magnificent portrait! But I’m also pleased to see the Makomsava young female, granddaughter of Nanga whom I first saw as a cub at Londolozi in 2010 and long followed. Beautiful!
Thank you Mary Beth, hopefully you will be able to see the Makomsava young female on your next visit if she settles in the area.
Thanks, Kelsey for the lovely pictures of this week.
Poor water monitor lizard; will he be able to survive without one leg?
All my favourite leopards look so good and I love the photo of the giraffe crossing the river. The colors of this photo are so beautiful as the animal itself is. The Talamati male still looks like a very young male because his mane doesn’t look like the one of a fully grown male. Do you think he will get a fuller mane one day?
My pleasure Christa. It seems the monitor is managing just fine but it is hard to keep track of its movements although I have seen it again since I took this picture. It seems the Talamati Male just has a unique mane that it hasn’t fulled out on the sides, but other than that his mane is very impressiver – we will have to wait and see if it grows out any more, but it will likely get dark as he gets a bit older now.
Hi Kelsey, your images this week are super. Loved the leopard pics especially the Nkoveni female and Ximungwe female. Three Rivers young female cub and Nkoveni young male cub are growing up so quickly and soon will be leaving there mothers. I am sure they will be named shortly as well. The open wound on the Gijima males nose looks quite sore. There is going to be a battle for dominance forsure very soon. Giraffe walking through the water is so at ease and beautiful. The African Fish eagle is a stunning eagle and one of my favorites. I am very pleased to see Nkoveni female eating as her naughty son wants to eat and not allow his mother to eat.
Thanks Valmai, I’m glad you enjoyed the leopard pictures – we are certainly seeing less of the youngsters with their mothers as they near independence.
Thank you, Kelsey – fabulous photos! We miss you, Bennet and Londolozi. We’ll be back.
Jerry and Sarah Saunders
Thanks Jerry! We look forward to welcoming you back!
Wow Kelsey, these are such fantastic images this week! Choosing a favorite or two is impossible. You’ve managed to capture some wonderful detail shots such as the flock of oxpeckers on the buffalo’s back and as well as its face, in addition to amazing portraits. Life in the bush is further exemplified by your photos the monitor lizard with its missing limb, making us wonder how it happened in addition to the Nkoveni female managing to feed on an impala kill before her almost independent son climbs up to finish it off. Terrific representation of life in the wild.
Thank you Denise, I’m glad you enjoy the pictures and the stories that come with them!
Superb photos , it is impossible to see the wonderful photos and not be impressed by the hardworking, diligence and skill in these photos
Thank you Ian, much appreciated!
Wonderful TWIP Kelsey. My favourite has to be the Nkoveni young male – since we saw him with you and Richard last November I’ve been following him with great interest. I’m hoping to see him again in 2 months time!
Thanks Suzanne, I’m glad to hear that! See you then
Hi Kate! Great selection of images!
The Makhomsava Young Female is known as Loloyiso by the northern Sabi Sand lodges and is believed to have been sired by the Tortoise Pan Male. Whereabouts on Marthly was she found?
Thanks Michael, yes I have heard that is her name. She was in the central parts of Marthly so it will be interesting to see where she settles.
Such incredibly beautiful photos, Kelsey!!!
Thanks Karin 🙂