After a week of unprecedented and highly unusual rain followed by moody, dramatic skies, it’s safe to say the landscape has been buzzing with wildlife. With all the moisture lingering in the air, we were treated to some spectacular sunsets and sunrises as distant clouds slowly dissipated along the horizon. The bush certainly has been rejuvenated.
The spectacular herds of impala, punctuated by wildebeest and zebra, have been incredible to witness as they graze in the lush grasses. The Msuhtlu Pride continues to provide us with memorable sightings, hunting under the cover of darkness and finding them well fed in the morning. However, following the recent rains, they have been seen more scattered as they continue to roam safely while the Gijima Males maintain their domain across the reserve. The Styx Male is still moving through the southern parts with the Kambula Breakaway Female, while the two Kambula lionesses — who presumably both recently lost their cubs to the Gijima Males — have also been sighted on occasions.
On the leopard front, the Shingi Male continues to flourish, biding his time within his mother’s territory. With the long grasses, leopards have been making use of trees as vantage points to scan their surroundings. Incredibly, the Ximungwe Female was found sleeping in a Marula tree, and just 12 hours later, we discovered the Nkoveni Female in an almost identical position, also resting in a Marula.
Once the soils in the southwest finally dried out, we were fortunate to encounter huge dazzles of around 80 zebra and spend an afternoon with the male cheetah, whom we hadn’t seen in some time. Life is certainly thriving at the moment.
Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
Almpst lost in the sheer numbers of the herd this young impala lamb jumped high as the herd moved to a new spot after being chased by a ram-the zebra and wildebeest were unfazed.
With the moody grey clouds beginning to disappear, the large dazzles of zebra roam
One of the subadults lost interest (as did the zebra and Wildebeest) after a bold hunting attempt in morning light on the airstrip.
Earlier this week we found the Ximungwe Female hidden in a dense, lush drainage line as she digested her meal. The following morning she was then found with another kill on the crest in a Marula tree.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The Ximungwe Female rests in the branches of a Marula tree after safely securing her impala lamb in the fork of the tree.
Looking almost identical to the Ximungwe Female 12 hours later. We could not believe our luck when we found the Nkoveni Female also resting in a marula tree.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A tender moment between a wildebeest mother and calf as it begins its journey of life.
I managed to capture this one photo of a Village Weaver as they frantically built their nests. The buzzing sounds of their frantic calls after the rains has been exciting to watch.
The impressive Styx Male, still youthful and with his characteristic blonde mane was exceptionally full bellied here watching nearby vultures after finishing the remains of a buffalo calf with the Kambula Breakaway female.
A well awaited sunrise on the airstrip.
On a slightly gloomy day, the Shingi Male rested in a Marula tree (which seems to be one of his more frequented trees as we have seen him in this one on a few occasions) as he watches a distant herd of impala.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
A pleasant surprise in the south western parts of the reserve was the Male cheetah who we have not seen in a few weeks.
One of the mighty Kambula lionesses.
Two young elephant bulls practicing their sparing techniques.
Nkuhuma Breakaways greet each other.
Raising its trunk to sniff our scent.
A fairly common dove, but eh Emerald Spotted Wood Dove are actually rather pretty (for a dove).
An almost glazed over look from this giraffe, I can’t help but feel like this male was enjoying the little head tickle from the Red-billed Buffalo Weaver.
Unfortunately we weren’t able to capture any images of the mornings sightings, but these are a recent image of the cubs of the Kambula pride.
Stunning scenes of the Shingi Male right at the top of a fallen marula tree with the pastel colours of a sunset in the background.
It is all a matter of perspective. Depending on which way you are looking the scene transforms entirely.
Morning LGR. That was such a very good and interesting load of animal and bird photos you put up for today, so thank you for that. I hope the 2 adult lionesses of the Kambula pride that are thought to have lost their cubs to the Gajima males last month, will soon fall pregnant again with their own brand new litters sired by the large Gajima males in a few months time. I’ll be truly surprised if at least 1 of the 2 lionesses has still got her cubs, but kept them very well hidden in a safe and secluded densite. It is tricky to know for sure, but it’ll be nice to think that is the case even if we aren’t 100% sure ourselves at the moment currently.
I do also hope that the Ximungwe female leopard’s new litter of cubs have survived the torrential heavy rain you’ve had there for the last few days or so. It will be an absolute miracle if they’re still alive and well despite the terrible weather. We know for sure that she is and has been a very good mother to all to all of the cubs she’s given birth to, raised successfully and lost tragically. I, like you do, want her new litter to live. It is fingers crossed for her and them.
We know she’s raised two big handsome males from two litters of one all the way to hard independence successfully, so I don’t see any reason why she can’t do it again after two failed attempts in a row. She is a very popular and lovely female leopard to see and view, especially when she’s got small cubs to feed, look after and protect. Whilst she’s got her paws full with looking after them, she’s also got to provide a lot of meat and milk for them as well. I hope she’ll be successful.
Has her older sister, the Nkoveni female been seen mating with the Maxim’s male there yet again at all if possible? If so, then I hope it won’t be long before she to is also looking heavily pregnant with her new litter if cubs on your property. They colossal and massive Maxims male has got a lot of beautiful girlfriends all vying for his attention as they want to sire a lot more cubs with him. Hasn’t he? And out of his girlfriends, the Nkoveni female is the oldest of them all. It’ll be great if all of his lady friends have new cubs of their own sired by him by the time we’re in the middle of the year eventually. I bet the huge Maxim’s male is possibly the biggest of all the male leopards you get to see and view there in terms of size.
It is good to see the big handsome young Styx male and his older Kambula lioness lady friend are still together. I know they have been together for a long time now, but I don’t know what the chances are of her mating with him of a coalition of big and older male lions, so that she can sire her first ever litter with him or them at long last. I do sometimes wonder if she’s desperate to become a mother at all, as she hasn’t been very flirtatious and just trying to present herself in front of him by been in a amorous mood. It would be so lovely to see her with cubs of her own to feed, look after and protect very soon one day later this year. They certainly don’t seem to have any trouble finding themselves enough food to feed on very nicely together and keep well fed. Do let me know what you know and think about those lions and leopards I’ve mentioned as soon as possible please.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 23.1.26
Kirst,
Lovely set of photos! I recognize that tree and the Shingi male. Was that a recent photo or from when I visited in September? Favorite photo of him in the tree at sunset-stunning!
My personal favorite of this group is first of the Shingi male in the top of the tree with the beautiful blues and pinks of the sky behind…just lovely.
The phots this week are absolutely spectacular!!
The colors of the skies, the lush green grass & foliage!
All of the animals have been bathed in the rain and their coats of fur are gorgeous!
Thank for sharing your beautiful work!
Wonderful TWIP post Kirst! We can’t help but be biased about the shot of the Shingi male on the fallen Marula with that pastel sky – a beautiful sighting and memory we’ll hold onto for some time.
The zebras playing w/ the moody sky and the white (cranes?) speckled in there is an amazing shot! Love the ellies too and of course the lion cubs 🙂
Thanks for all these beautiful photos, Kirst.
The abundance of animals after all these rains is amazing. I love the herd of Impalas with so many little ones, jumping around. The cute little and impressive big lions, my favourites, the leopards and this beautiful cheetah in front of your vast grasslands, and, yes, the wood dove is really pretty. so Man favourites, actually all of the photos.
Hi Kirst, the tarential rain certainly changed everything in the bush. I loved the image of the mother blue wildbeast and her young calf needing to suckle. Then off course my favourite young leopard male, Shingi male. He is such a stunning male and he is so confident. Does the Ximungwe female still have her new born cubs after the tarential rain.
Some really special images this week, Kirst! I love the trunk-forward black curious elephant and the Shingi male with pastel background is lovely. The ‘garden of Eden’ shot of mixed species made me smile!
Well Kirst, choosing favorites this week is very difficult as you’ve captured some amazing photos by taking advantage of the weather and its extraordinary skies. My first favorite is the zebras sparring against that dark sky, followed by Ximungwe and Nkoveni finding comfort on a Marula branch. Shingi seems to have inherited the love for hanging out in Marulas from his mother as you’ve captured. What an amazing male she has raised. The sunrise with zebras and Wildebeest calf with mom, two more favorites. Finally the closeup of the elephant trunk and Kambula cubs squeaked into favorites…..plus the giraffe. Great week!!
Hi Kirst, oh wow! The two mythical sisters copying the cat… almost identical! The Ximungwe female has that perfect Egyptian-like head, the Nkoveni…. her eyes… and her son is spectacular! Born to be a star! The elephant calf is something unique, made me smile! I am so happy to finally see the Breakaway Female and the gorgeous Styx male! They are such a pair… I keep my fingers crossed, the clearly beauty and smart lioness like the Birminghams and he is simply one of the best male around (Ndzenga son, if I don’t get wrong?). Unique the picture of the wildebeest mum and newborn son. It melts my heart!
My favorites are: large dazzles of zebra roam, cubs of the Kambula pride, young elephant bulls practicing their sparing.
Fantastic shot of the Village Weaver! And the Styx male looks quite content. But I don’t recall the River Styx coursing through Londlozi. That could be exciting and/or scary to see. Where is it?