Another amazing week at Londolozi. This week showed that there is still not much certainty within the lion dynamics around us. The two Kambula lionesses and there six cubs are doing well, being seen on a zebra kill and the very next day a buffalo kill in the northern parts of Londolozi. The Msuthlu Pride chased the Styx Male and Kambula Breakaway Lioness off a zebra kill in central Londolozi and swiftly retreated when they realised their 4 youngest cubs were not with them. The Gijima Males pushed further north than they have ever been, being seen on our northern boundary. Lastly, the Talamati and Nkuhuma Males look like they have settled in the south-western regions of the reserve, and potentially taken over the Mangheni Pride from the Plains Camp Males. The near future will show whether the next set of cubs from the lionesses of the Mangheni pride belongs to them or not.
In saying all of this, you will see that the Leopards of Londolozi still dominated this week in pictures. The Ngungwe Female has some exciting news that you might have to stay tuned for. The Nkoveni duo are still hanging out together, although the Nkoveni Female has wandered all the way from her normal territory towards camp and even came into contact with her daughter, the Xinkhova Female. The Ndzanzeni Female and Three Rivers Female still dominate the deep south eastern parts of Londolozi, while Ximungwe looks like she’s looking for her next den site, venturing closer to the locations where she birthed her last two litters. Lastly, the Xinzele Female made an incredible appearance on the rocky outcrop in the north, another leopard that might have some big news coming in the near future.
The week did not end there. Some incredible sightings involving the feathered community stood out this week, too. A Lilac-breasted Roller kill, another Scops Owl and a Fiery-necked Nightjar decided to put on a show.
Let us know your favourite pictures in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
The stare from a lion can stop any person in their tracks but this particular one was special. One of the young male lions from the Msuthu pride glare straight at us as we approached them all sleeping ona sunny afternoon.
An amazing spot by tracker Freddy Ngubene. While exploring the south western parts of the reserve, known to be open grassland, we came across this fiery-necked nightjar sitting on its nest. These patterns often go amiss as these beautiful birds are mainly seen at night.
After a quiet morning exploring the banks of the sand river, the day took a turn when we came across the Nhlanguleni Female patrolling a nearby drainage. Here she posed perfectly still as a Grey Duiker escaped from the brush.
Initially skittish female who transformed into a regular presence. Made history by raising first intact litter since her own generation.
Caught in the act, a giraffe gnawing on what looked like an old impala horn. Giraffes are sometimes seen practicing osteophagy, chewing on old bones to obtain minerals such as calcium and phosphorus that their typical leafy diets lack.
Late in the afternoon drive, we found the Nkoveni Young Male resting on a termite mound, the last few rays of the golden sun illuminating his chest. Watching this male grow and develop into who he is now has been incredible.
Poised with intent, the Three Rivers Female sits fixated on a few francolin moving through the undergrowth along the banks of the Maxabene.
With the Gijima Males moving north, the Msuthlu Pride has followed and we have been enjoying seeing them a lot more regularly.
This is one of my favourite photos of the week. The Ngungwe female stands between the granite rocks that surround the Manyelethi river in the northern parts of the reserve.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
One of the Kambula lionesses returns to her cubs that were feeding on a zebra kill. After wondering off for a drink, she slowly meandered her way back to the remains of a successful night hunting.
Every time we see these two leopards together I cannot help but think, is this the last time? It is clear the Nkoveni Young Male is bigger than his mom now. Spending more time alone and increasing his hunting skills, it is about time he starts to move on…
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
A kudu bull stands tall against the breeze on an open crest.
Now this will be a morning to remember for a long time. After following a drag mark that spread across road, potentially meaning a predator had dragged a kill over the road, we entered the bush to find the Ndzanzeni female perched on this bolder with a kill hanging over head in the leadwood tree just ten metres away.
Royal descendant of Mother Leopard lineage. Remarkable single cub success story who overcame injury to continue the royal bloodline.
One of the most beautiful birds we find out here in the bush and yet one of the most aggressive. This Lilac-breasted Roller had caught a centipede and spent the most of ten minutes perched on this branch trying to kill it. After the ten minute battle the centipede had won, falling down to the ground to live another day.
The Msuthlu Pride spent the better part of a week on Londolozi recently, and you can’t help but admire these young male lions. Sired by two of the biggest lions in the sabisands, their futures have the potential to make history.
A picture is worth a thousand words. The Ximungwe Female’s life recently has not been the easiest. From a broken leg and losing cubs to altercations with her nephew, the Nkoveni Young Male. After fights, leopards will often salivate profusely, and this was the case on this eventful afternoon.
The Gijima Males are making their presence felt. With every passing day, they seem to be expanding. Her,e one of the Gijima Males looks to cross the sand river after spending time with the two Kambula Lionesses.
A side profile of the Nkoveni Female standing strong over a large impala ram kill. At 13 years old this leopard never ceases to amaze me.
The Nkoveni young male putting on a show for us. After following him and his mom all afternoon he decided to climb high into this marula tree at the brink of sunset and it was nothing short of special.
After being chased up a tree by hyenas, the Three Rivers Female took cover in the nook of a big Jackalberry tree.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
In my last TWIP, I explained how rare it was to find a Scops Owl in broad daylight but it happened again. Here I managed to capture the exact moment it “winked” at me, another favourite from this week in pictures.
Saving the best for last, my favourite picture of the week. The Xinzele Female poses ever so elegantly on the base of Ximpalapala Koppie. This rocky outcrop has been home to many animals but seeing a leopard on it is every guide and guest’s dream. Stay tuned, as there is potentially some big news involving the Xinzele female. Stay tuned.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
Bryce: The giraffe chewing a horn, nightjar and owl photos are top-notch. But I agree — the Xinzele lioness posing on the koppie is the A#1 photo this week.
Great photos – as always !!!
Hi Bryce! Fantastic shots this week and thanks for the great update. The leopard images are amazing and we especially loved seeing Nkoveni and son together. You are right, it may not be long before he goes on his own and get’s his own name! Terri is hoping for “Tsakani”!
Oh my days, the Nkoveni young male is huge! Please can someone tell me who his father is. Was it the Senegal Bush male, Maxims male? I love the picture of him just resting, with not a care in the world. My favourite has to be the fiery necked nightjar with the lilac breasted roller a close second. Looking at the roller, I can hear my parents at the dining table telling me to stop playing with my food 🙂
Hi Bryce, I can very hardly pick up a favourite, as rhey are all subjects I prefer and the locations and lights are superb! I never saw a Spotted owl in the daylight as well, and winking… the nightjar is another bird I particularly like. The lilac breasted-roller is very brave! I didn’t know these enchanting birds are so tenacious! The leopards are a beauty competition! The Ndzanzeni female also looks regal. The Xinzele females’s picture looks magical. The Nkoveni and Ximungwe females are a timeless image of beauty and power. But really all leopards photos are fantastic. Lions too, these males young and older look magnificent in the golden light, with orange hues in their eyes. The giraffe is another very appreciated animal and the kudu bull majestic. The Ngungwe and Threes River female look exquisite, and the Nhlanguleni very elegant… but yes, I agree, the closing picture is like an image lost in a fairy world…
Loved your photo of the nightjar. It brought back a good memory from a cruise we were on from Haifa to Rome. A little nightjar landed on the table of our balcony and travelled the entire way with us. I hope he enjoyed Rome and wasn’t too flummoxed. And love the wink from the Scops owl!
Loved all the leopards in your blog today ,Bryce especially the one showing the Nkoveni young male so much bigger than his mom .He has become special to me as we first saw him when he was 10 weeks old and one of 3 cubs.Then we saw him at 10 months old and were at Londolozi when his sister was killed and happy to see him again at around 2o months old in August this year when he was almost as big as his mom and had grown to be a really beautiful leopard.Hope to see him again next year when he is independant !
Excellent way to end the week. Superb images, providing further memories of my last visit. A big hello to you Bryce and Freddy,
Love to see how ‘old’ all these leopards are! Sorry to hear the Ximungwe Female is still having a rough go 🙁 With ALL the great leopard shots…I think the Kudu with his hair blowing in the wind is my fave this week! Stunning!
I love all your photos, Bryce.
It’s amazing how much the Scots Owl’s feathers look like the tree bark of the tree she is sitting in.
And so many beautiful cats! The Nkoveni Young Male is certainly an impressively big boy by now. It’s so nice to follow the development of these cubs from tiny little, blue-eyed fur ball to impressive leopard.
I love the giraffe gnawing on this bone or horn its tongue wound around the object.
These are all great photos – but favs are the first lion pic, every leopard photo and the Lilac Roller.
WOW – the most amazing photographs – thank you from a grey wet London
Dear Brice, what a TWIP with so many great shots of cats-thanks
Hi Bryce, so many different animals this week in the TWIP. All your images are absolutely stunning. The lions are extraordinary and the leopards are always my favorite ❤. The Nkoveni female is a magnificent mother and her son is so beautiful. The Ximungwe female is so special and with all her dilemmas this year, she is still carrying on. The cover photo of the Nkoveni young male is so beautiful.
favourite is Lilac-breasted Roller had caught a centipede, numerous leopard photos.
Bryce, your images are just too good this week to choose favorites, so well done. From the most amazing leopard and lion captures to the firey-necked Nightjar, each one told a story. Seems summer is starting off with a bang!
Awesome to see the Nkoveni Young Male thrive. What an impressive leopard. Would love to see a scops owl, or any owl!
Great photos Bryce and very surprising the Nkoveni duo are still together! I’m wondering if the Ndzanzeni Female has shown any signs of having another litter of cubs? And I hadn’t thought of her for awhile but has there been any news of the Mashaba Female recently? I know given her age, it is unlikely we will hear anything the longer time passes, but would love if she was still standing and thriving!
Thanks as always!