And just like that, another week in the Londolozi wilderness has come and gone, more than a week into the year 2026. Time has a strange way of accelerating out here. The days feel slow and deliberate, yet weeks just vanish in the blink of an eye. The bush continues to move to its own rhythm, reminding us each day of how much life is packed into every sunrise and sunset.
The recent rains have breathed fresh energy into the reserve, and with it has come an unmistakable vibrancy. The mornings are alive with birdsong, while the afternoons carry that warm, humming stillness that only the bush can offer. This week has been rich in variety, from relaxed moments with lions to the smaller, often overlooked details that make time in the wild so rewarding.
One of the true highlights came in the form of a rare sighting of a Cape clawless otter moving quietly through the shallow channels of the Sand River, hunting for freshwater crabs. It was a reminder of just how much remains hidden from view. We also had an unforgettable moment of an African rock python crossing a dirt track directly in front of us. With this, it becomes clear that this past week delivered its fair share of magic. As always, there’s a little bit of everything, unexpected encounters, familiar faces, and scenes that will linger long after the dust has settled.
Below are a few snippets from another memorable week in the bush. Let me know which ones stood out for you.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures.
The Maxim’s Male Leopard rests beneath a large, shaded grove of tamboti trees during the heat of the late afternoon.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
A Juvenile Martial Eagle perches on a dead knob-thorn tree. This particular individual can be seen throughout southern Marthly and has been around for a couple yof ears. It takes roughly 5-7 years to develop their adult plumage.
The Ximungwe Female Leopard makes use of a small termite mound to rest, but to also survey her surroundings for any prey. It was a cool, windy day, which provided her with great hunting conditions.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The Nkoveni Female keeps her eyes on a lone impala ram who was moving through the bush-willow thickets some distance away.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A Goliath Heron. One of many bird species that can be found whilst crossing the causeway. There is always a hive of activity and bird life around the Sand River.
A young Nile Crocodile slowly cruises through the main channel of the Sand River. They really are the ultimate ambush predator.
It has been such a wonderful 2 years watching this young male leopard grow up and come into his own as a young adult. Here the Shingi male rests in a large Jackalberry tree after feeding on an impala lamb he had caught the previous day.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
After spotting some giraffe staring quite persistently into a Guarri thicket, we drove over to investigate and found the Shingi Male leopard posing beautifully atop a small termite mound.
One of the two Gijima Male lions on a late morning territorial patrol in the southernmost parts of the reserve.
We spent a decent amount of time around a small pan during our morning coffee break in the southeastern parts of the reserve. We watched a colony of Village Weavers building their nests. The birdlife in summer must be one of my favourite aspects of this season.
Eye-level with the beautiful Tinxiya Female leopard as she leapt up onto a fallen marula tree.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
A pair of Little Bee-eaters perch along the banks of the Sand River. They were on the lookout for any aerial insects that might fly past, many of which they caught with such ease. Their aerial capabilities are incredible.
The Shingi Male contemplates descending this large jackalberry tree after finishing off a young nyala carcass.
An awesome sighting of an African Rock Python. Normally, this time of year, it isn’t at all easy to spot them as the grasses can be quite tall. We were lucky enough to spot this one crossing the road right in front of us. It goes without saying that I leapt out of the vehicle and got down to be level so I could take a couple pictures before it slithered off.
One of the young N’waswitshaka male lions. We are starting to see them more regularly across the southern parts of Londolozi. This was my first sighting of them. Here one of them goes down for a drink after feeding on a buffalo carcass.
The Ximungwe Female leopard gives a big yawn before descending this small termite mound.
Sightings of the Maxims Male are most certainly getting much better as he has relaxed a lot around the vehicles now. We had an incredible sighting of him as we followed him for a while as he walked some distance from his impala carcass to go and have a drink at the nearest water source.
Definitely my highlight for the week was seeing this Cape Clawless Otter and her subadult pup hunting freshwater crabs along the banks of the Sand River. Finding these beautiful animals has always proven to be a difficult task, let alone being able to get a decent view or even a picture of one.
A Kambula lioness quenches her thirst after finishing a buffalo carcass.
In the late afternoon twilight we managed to spot the Nkoveni Female resting up on a fallen marula tree. Every few minutes she would rasp loudly, calling for the Shingi Male, who she knew was in the area. After about 30 minutes, he appeared from the thickets and we managed to have a lovely sighting of the two of them as they reunited.
Morning LGR. It was so good to see the nearly 11 yr old Ximungwe female in a few of the photos from this week’s TWIP. But as we know that she mated with the absolute whopper of a male leopard in the form of the Maxim’s male a couple of months ago, which has resulted in her falling heavily pregnant, but I don’t think she’s far of from giving birth to her newest litter of cubs now. Is she? As this will be her 5th litter now, I hope she’ll be a lot more lucky and successful in raising them without loosing any cubs at all.
I did leave a comment message under the blog asking everyone when they think she’ll give birth to her new cubs, but as of yet, no one has seen and replied to it. As leopards have a one hundred and five day gestation period, I’m predicting she’ll give birth on the 23rd of January eventually. It is and will be a very exciting time indeed for everyone. I will like to wish her the best of luck.
I’m sure you’ll be wishing her the very best of hopeful luck with raising her new litter once she’s given birth in a couple of weeks time. Just like her older sister, she has also been a great and fantastic mother to all of the cubs she’s raised well and lost successively. I wouldn’t be that surprised if she gives birth to a litter of two or three cubs in two weeks time. I can’t wait to see the first photos of them.
As we know all to well, luck just hasn’t been on her side with raising the last two litters at all, but we know thst she has raised two single and handsome young males to independence very well and successfully. I wonder how they’re both doing, since becoming independent of their great mother. Do you know yet? I wonder if the Ximungwe female caught any food for herself soon after you took those photos of her in the TWIP. She’ll need the food to help her carry herself through the birth eventually. Long may she continuing to be successful!
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 9.1.26
Thank you Matt, you’ve excelled yourself again! – in particular your shot of the village weaver is absolutely superb. My other favourites are of the Shingi male posing so beautifully in the tree and Ximungwe yawning on the mound.
Lucky you to see the otters, a very special sighting.
Hi Matt, yes, the clawless otter is a fantastic view! So rare- hopefully the river will host more. Besides rarity otters in general are very clever and can perform fantastically, I just love them. I was struck by the little weaver, all alone making something we humans could barely build… and the lions, the imposing Gjima male is gorgeous and regal, while leopards… come almost out of a dreamy tale. From the Maxim male resting to the Ximungwe female and her nephew posing, showing all their beauty and class, the Tsynia female, and then… the Nkoveni Female. I realised with a bit of worry that she’s 14 already. But she looks so perfect… the last picture is something, like a symbolic animal that appears by magic, her unique eyes… she’s the leopard I instinctively felt draught to… the python is a great image but I prefer other snakes. I’ve always had cobra as a favourite… but nature has her own uniqueness. Thanks for those wonderful images, that sign the passage to old generation to new ones…
Dear Matt, what for a fantastic leopard TWIP- one shot better than the other. Thanks a lot. Love the Tinxija female.
Hi Matt, all your images are stunning. My favorite would be the images of the Shingi male. He really is such a stunning young male, who is now on his own. The rock python is also a favorite of mine. So good to see that it has rained there and the bush is looking good.
WOW! What a great week! Colors are spectacular! I cannot pick a favorite! Love the bird additions for sure…little bee-eaters and the talented weaver…of course the otter too!
Thanks Matt for your week in pictures, so many captured perfectly, allowing us a glimpse through your viewfinder. Although I’m terrified of snakes in general, I found your close-up of the Rock Python captivating. Another favorite is your image of the clawless Otter, such a cute but elusive water animal. The leopards are always great to see due to their photogenic nature, but two of my favorites are the portraits of Nkoveni and Ximungwe, resting on their lookout perches of choice.
Amazing photos, Matt. I love the bird photos as much as the ones of my very favourite animals, the leopards. The most special one is certainly the one of the otter. I have seen otters but never at Londolozi so far.
So, something to look forward to, to maybe see one? Would be lovely.