This week’s Virtual Safari is one of those unforgettable afternoons where the bush has more stories to tell than you could ever hope to keep up with. What began as a simple plan to see the Toulon Pack of wild dogs quickly turned into a sequence of distractions, surprises, and, ultimately, one of the most significant lion updates we’ve had in months.
Before we even reached the dogs, we found ourselves drawn into the smaller, quieter dramas of the bush after the rain. The winged alates had erupted from the ground, and with them came a wave of activity: a Shiny Burrowing Scorpion unusually out and about during the day, a male southern tree agama gorging himself on termites and ants before getting distracted by a female close by, little scenes that remind you how alive the bush becomes after the first summer rains.
But the real energy hit when we reached the Toulon Pack. Pups full of mischief, a hyena weaving among them as the pups pushed closer, testing boundaries. Then we were treated to some of the most intimate, low-angle wild dog footage I’ve ever filmed.
Then came the call that shifted the entire afternoon.
Kirst found the Tsalala Lioness—calling.
Given the news of her recent litter of tiny cubs, I had to get over and see her, despite the light fading rapidly. While we were there, we realised there were no suckle marks. She must have lost her cubs. And now she was searching for a male.
A response to her calls came from the west. We left her knowing something was building, something worth following.
The next morning, we found the Tsalala Lioness with both Gijima Males—an incredible sighting in its own right—made even more dramatic by a herd of elephants marching through the background.
Enjoy this week’s epic Virtual Safari…
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Wow, what fantastic footage of the wild dogs and wonderful audio of them drinking. I was also delighted to hear a woodland kingfisher in the background – so they’ve finally arrived!
Good to see the Tsalala female back on Londolozi, and she looks in pretty good condition. If only she could have her next litter by that Delivery sign!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. Yes, the Woodland Kingfishers are back in full force.
Hi Sean, I had so much fun at the agama mates, how incredibly tenacious he is, and she plays the precious part… the termites are a great resource and they go on pursuing their task, no matter how many agamas or scorpions and other fantastic creatures are around preying on them… this is seldom seen and absolutely enchanting. I am a fan of the Tsalala lioness like all Londolozi followers, and am so glad she found those gorgeous males. The elephants don’t like lions on the move, definitely! The blond one seems to have come out of the lions hairdresser …
I am so glad you enjoyed the agamas. It was entertaining watching them. Yes are thrilled that the Tsalala Female has met up with these males.
Great video again, Sean. The dog pups are so cute. How many are there? Is this the same pack that stole the pups a year ago? Or the one that had more than 20 pups two years ago?
I liked to see that scorpion, quite impressive size. The agama was really fun to watch.
Also the scene where the elephants drove the mating lions away.
Great news, though, that the Tsalala lioness is at Londolozi’s doorstep and mating with the most dominant lions. Let’s hope that she will soon have a new litter and that she will be able to raise them. It would be so wonderful to have a new Tsalala pride.
There are 7 pups in this pack. I think there used to be 8 but we only saw 7 in this sighting.
Yes, this is the pack that stole the three pups. I think only one of them survived and is still with the pack.
We are so happy to have the Tsalala Female back here.
Oh my, this was definitely an epic virtual safari today! I was laughing whilst watching the pups approach as you were filming, trying to be brave but then moving backwards as they caught movement from the camera, but curiosity got the better of them as they crept up again and again. It is great to see the Toulon pack together once again, and hopefully they can keep the majority of their pups alive. I’m guessing the lone hyena was there in the event they took off to hunt, and he could follow behind to see if there might be a stray morsel left behind. or perhaps he was just curious.
I appreciated the information about the scorpion and the Agama , little creatures that are definitely worth watching when given an opportunity.
But the prize today, was seeing Tsalala once again, home where she belongs. She looks as beautiful as always and very healthy, which must be very appealing to the Gijimas. Those two seem to have very strong genes given their success with the prides they’ve been mating with over the past years, and so fingers crossed Tsalala falls pregnant after her time with them. I’m assuming she will find a den site near where she was raised in the heart of Londolozi which will be fantastic for all of you, and us, She’s lost two litters so here’s to third time the charm. I look forward to continued news related to the Toulon pack as well as if Tsalala stays on site. Terrific filming Sean!
I loved watching how inquisitive the pups were.
Yes, the hyenas was lurking around hoping to cache in on a free meal if they went hunting.
The Tsalala Female is looking so healthy and fit. We are hoping she gives birth to her cubs here on Londolozi.
Sean, you’ve really done it this time, my friend. The low level images you got of the wild dogs are exceptional. We want to know how you’re shooting these videos and getting so close? Even the ground-level close-up of the Scorpion and the blue headed Agama are so cool. You must have some new equipment that you’re using, especially to get those shots so close to the wild dogs where they were coming up and sniffing whatever equipment you had! Not to mention the incredible lion videos you got. It’s wonderful to see Tsalala so active, and trying so hard to produce another litter. It would be wonderful to see for her. Once again, you’ve blown our minds!!!
So to be honest, most of the low angle footage is shot on my phone. I am so glad that you loved this episode. We will keep trying to get unique and creative shots for you.
Thanks! You must have some type of extender pole to get the camera so low from the vehicle! It’s pretty amazing the video that we can get from our phones now!
Hi Sean, I could not respond to this email last light as we had a hael storm and had no coverage. But know I can and I am excited to see the Tsalala female mating with the Gijima males, that will be such good specimen cubs. I giggled at the elephants not having the lions mating near them. Frightening scorpion, I have had a few small scorpions in my house here on the reserve. The wild dogs where having a great time playing and chasing the hyena. There are so full of energy and always on the go.
It is great news that the Tsalala Female has met up with the Gijima Males. Yes, there are also lots of creepy crawlies around here at the moment.