December and January were wonderfully festive months at Londolozi as we welcomed in the New Year and celebrated an incredibly special milestone, Londolozi’s 100th year.
In this blog, I’ve selected some of our favourite Instagram Reels from the past two months, showcasing the full spectrum of life in the wild. From intimate moments with smaller creatures like the African Moon Moth and a dwarf mongoose family, to powerful encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, and wild dogs. These reels also offer a glimpse into the atmosphere of Londolozi itself, from the sounds of safari to the magic of our centenary New Year’s celebration.
Enjoy some of our favourite moments from December and January, and let us know which reel stood out to you most in the comments below.
1. A Dwarf Mongoose Family on the Move
In a rare sighting, this reel captures a dwarf mongoose family, proof that you don’t need to be big to be captivating.
Watch as a mother carefully lifts one of her babies and carries it to a new location.
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2. Elephant Bull vs. Tree
This reel captures an elephant bull carefully uprooting a tree to reach the nutrient-rich roots and inner bark below, showcasing the incredible strength elephant bulls are capable of, which can exceed 2.7 tonnes of force.
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3. A Cape Clawless Otter in Action!
Ranger Kirst Joscelyne and her guests got a front-row seat to a cape clawless otter making quick work of a freshwater crab.
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4. A Male Cheetah on the Move with Its Prey
The circle of life unfolds before our eyes. During the summer months, impala lambs are plentiful, giving predators plenty of opportunity. This cheetah carefully carries its catch to a secure spot to feast.
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5. The Sounds of Safari
This reel is all about the sounds synonymous with safari. The rumble of a lion calling across the night, the crackle of the Boma fire, morning coffee as the bush awakens, and a scops owl’s single note threading through the darkness. At Londolozi, it is the sounds of the bush that stay with you long after your safari ends.
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6. Meet the Tinxiya Female Leopard
The Three Rivers young female now has a name. Meet the Tinxiya Female.
Named for her unusually prominent brow ridge inherited from her father, the Maxims Male, this 20-month-old leopard is on the edge of independence. From a shy cub peering from an ancient Zulu Milkberry tree to a relaxed young female beginning to carve out her own territory, we are thrilled to follow her journey into adulthood.
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7. Londolozi’s 2025 Year in Review
As 2025 came to a close at Londolozi, we celebrated the moments, milestones, and wild encounters that made this year unforgettable. Amid a world of shifting realities, our experiences remained rooted in the raw beauty of Africa. From wildlife sightings to conservation efforts, every day reflected our commitment to honoring and protecting the land and its inhabitants. Here’s to a year defined by care, connection, and the extraordinary life of the wild.
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8. The Plains Camp male lions make their way across the Sand River
This reel captures a powerful scene at dusk as the Plains Camp males cross the Sand River. Their muscles tense and eyes alert, every movement shows a careful balance of power and caution.
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9. Macro Magic: An African Moon Moth Up-Close
Our macro lens captured something extraordinary, an African Moon Moth or Luna moth.
Its vivid green wings, red eyespots, and delicate trailing tails make it unmistakable. After years as a caterpillar, these moths live only a few days as adults, spending their brief time drawn to light in the darkness.
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10. Inside Londolozi’s Iconic Founders Camp
This reel offers a glimpse inside Founders Camp, where classic design meets modern comfort along the Sand River. Ten bespoke suites sit beneath ancient Ebony and Matumi trees, with muted terracotta tones and natural textures that calm the soul. Oversized windows frame the wilderness beyond, bringing the outside in. At Founders Camp, simple sophistication meets the timeless spirit of the safari, creating a space so comfortable you can kick off your shoes and fall asleep with a book.
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11.Wildebeest vs Wild Dog Pack
This reel captures a powerful moment in the wild. A wildebeest gives birth, vulnerable and alone, when a pack of wild dogs arrives on the scene. In a miraculous display of instinct and unity, the herd gathers around her, forming a protective barrier. After a tense stand-off, she delivers her calf unharmed, and the wild dogs eventually move on. A true testament to the strength, cooperation, and resilience of life in the wilderness.
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12. 100 Years of Londolozi: A Magical New Years Celebration
Experience the moment that launched our centennial year. Beneath an ancient ebony tree, past and future converged under lantern light and African stars. It was a sacred pause between centuries as we welcomed 2026 and began celebrating 100 years of Londolozi—honouring the land, the wildlife, and the extraordinary stories that have defined this remarkable place.
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13. A Chameleon’s Hypnotic Walk
Ever wondered why chameleons move this way? Their side-to-side sway mimics leaves in the breeze, keeping them hidden from predators. Nature’s ultimate stealth mode, and hypnotically fascinating to watch.
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14. An Epic Leopard Leap!
An incredible moment as the Tinxiya Female leopard launches from a tree. Her leap demonstrates perfect balance, strength, and the breathtaking agility that defines leopards in the wild.
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15. Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~ Mary Oliver
This reel brings to life the beautiful words of Mary Oliver: “Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Set against the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Londolozi.
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That’s the December/January round-up!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram to discover more videos and stories from Londolozi.
Thank you
A great round-up of so many different aspects of Londolozi
Well crafted blog Megan, including some of my favorite reels. I will say my favorite is 2025’s year in review, so perfectly narrated and artfully filmed. One other reel that was extraordinary, just because of the subject, highlighted the African Moon Moth. I had no idea this moth spent years as a caterpillar prior to its metamorphosis, only to die after a few days – just another one of nature’s curiosities.
Hi Megan, it is always a pleasure and brings much joy watching these Reels. Each one carries it’s own story and brings a smile to my face and at the same time appreciate the wonder of nature.
Hi Megan, all superb, but the moth has something special… I have so much admiration for them since my childhood. The majority of insects have string weapons, while moths and butterflies have mimicry as their main defence, are among the most beautiful insects if not the best of all, but their frail wings bring them everywhere, they migrate for incredible distances facing weather, predators, temperatures… I have always thought of them as the strongest animals in the world…
Very entertaining and wondrous. For some reason, the last one didn’t play for me. Can you send it separately, please? And, thank you for what I did watch.