This past week carried a quiet intensity, the kind that rewards patience and presence in equal measure. From long track and finds that ended high in the branches of jackalberry and marula trees, to perfectly timed golden-lit scenes unfolding effortlessly across open clearings. The bush seemed to move from moments of stillness to sudden action. Apex predators dominated much of Nic and my week, yet it was often the smaller, more subtle moments (an elusive coucal inching closer to our vehicle or the rare spot of a lunar moth) that reminded us of the layered richness of this land. Light, movement and anticipation wove themselves through each sighting, shaping a week that felt both perfectly timed and exciting!
Let us know in the comments which images are your favourite.
Enjoy the Week in Pictures…
After a lengthy search of the area and numerous rasping calls heard deep in the drainage line of the Tugwaan riverbed, tracker Advice and I were over the moon to find the Ximungwe Female scanning her surroundings from the upper realms of this Jackalberry tree.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Perfectly timed symmetry between two male giraffes as we watched them necking as a means of determining who is more dominant.
The Shingi Male has been such a highlight of most game drives, being a young and inquisitive leopard he is often doing something that keeps us all entertained for a while.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
With him elevated off the ground and out of the long grass, we snapped a nice close-up clean shot of him.
The Shingi Male was peacefully resting on a fallen marula when he spotted a small herd of impala in the distance. He quickly tried to change his pose, tucked himself as low down on the branches as he could, trying to remain hidden and out of view. His body language and movements changed considerably in a matter of seconds.
A different perspective of him on the branch. This was such an awesome sighting that we have included a number of photos of him into this week’s TWIP.
Late afternoon light captured the scene beautifully. Over one hundred White-backed Vultures lined the dead leadwood trees of southwest Londolozi, patiently waiting for their turn to feed, as the lions finished off the remains of a buffalo kill.
One of my favourite lions on Londolozi. The Styx Male roared up and down the road for the better part of two hours, looking for the Kambula Breakaway Lioness he has partnered with for some time now. The two shared a buffalo cow kill and may have been split up when more lions and scavenging hyenas showed up at the carcass.
Hazy, golden-lit sunrises light up a crest full of impala. Even though I didn’t quite capture the impala staring at the camera or in perfect form, nothing quite beats heading out on your morning game drive and this being the first scene of the day!
The Shingi Male paused briefly on an ex-branch of this marula tree to assess his height and landing spot. Moments later, he dropped to the ground and continued his morning wandering through the long, green and luscious grass.
A Tawny Eagle perches on the outer branches of a dead Knobthorn tree in the most perfect afternoon light. The characteristic ‘V’ of black in the feathers in the adult Tawny Eagle in visible in this picture.
A curious male giraffe lifts his head amidst feeding to stare us down as we drove past. With giraffe’s leathery and prehensile tongues, thick saliva and lips, it protect their mouths from thorns.
The Talamati Male gave us a spectacular show as he showed why ‘yawning’ in cats is a great sign of their restlessness and intent to start moving. Shortly after, he walked through the clearings and headed down to the Sand River for a late afternoon drink. Cheers!
The elusive Burchells Coucal. One of my favourite summer calls in the bush. We were sitting with sleeping lions when we heard this bird’s incessant call coming closer and closer towards our vehicle. It’s always a privilege to be able to be sitting with lions and still appreciating all the smaller creatures of life around them.
The Nkoveni Female leopard poses perfectly at dusk for us. We’d spent an entire afternoon with her while she rested in long grass. Our patience paid off as we stayed with her until she woke up to start her evening patrol.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A hyena sub-adult rests on the airstrip in the early hours of the morning. After consistent rains in the night, he found great refuge on the dry tarmac to catch his breathe after what could only have been another interesting night of scavenging activities.
Silhouettes of any animal are exquisite, however, the natural golden morning light at sunrise matches the majesty of this young male Giraffe. He also paused for a moment to appreciate the breaking of a new day.
A beautiful African Moon Moth, also known as a Lunar Moth! These fascinating moths are a rare find at Londolozi due to their large, pale-green wings and short 7–10 day adult lifespan. These moths do not have functional mouths and do not eat as adults, focusing solely on mating. First time photographing one of them for me!
Such an iconic scene, two leopards, the Nkoveni Female and Shingi Male, wandering off into the Maxabene riverbed.
Hi Kate, I particularly liked the moon moth photo with the young hyena on the airstrip a close second.
Great photos , as always
My favourites are definitely the Lunar moth and Coucal, then the Impala sunrise. Absolutely stunning photos all round. It is actually so difficult to choose any this week. Were there any other photos of the Burchells Coucal?
For me it would have to be that beautiful lunar moth.
Thx for posting the photo!
Thanks, beautiful shots, especially the giraffe at sunrise and the Lunar moth. And as for Ximungwe, Nkoveni and the Shingi male….where would we be without Mashaba’s offspring? Incidentally has anyone seen Mashaba lately?
Hi LGR. As usual, the TWIPs for each Friday are always interesting to see and read once getting into them. But though it was good to see the Ximungwe female leopard seen in one of the photos, I do hope she’s still lactating and has still got her new cubs that she gave birth to at the start of the new year. As her cubs must be at least 7 or so weeks old by now, I hope it won’t be long before she finally reveals them. It’ll be so nice and interesting to see how many she’s got.
Her two single male offspring from her first and second litters aren’t seen very much now anymore, her third and fourth litters weren’t successful, but as she is busy raising her unseen fifth litter, I bet it’ll be another week or so before she decides to show them eventually. I hope she’ll be successful in raising them.
She is and has been a very good, caring, successful and devotedly patient mum to all of the cubs she’s given birth to, raised successfully and lost unfortunately. Even if she’s raised two single male offspring from her first and second litters, that is still so better than none at all. But we all do hope that she’ll have a lot more luck.
The success with her fifth litter when she brings them out of the densite, is and will be absolutely vital if she wants to carry on her mother’s dynasty and also produce more cubs in the next few years before her time is up and she’s infertile. After all, she will be 11 years old in May, and though it might seem that she’s getting on in age by leopard standards, she still has plenty of time left in her to have at least another two or so litters before it is to late. And most importantly of all, she looks in great condition and health for a leopard of nearly 11 years old. Do let me know when she’s revealed them there at long last a.s.a.p please.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 27.2.26
The Shingi Male sure is quite distinguishable isn’t he? And the Styx Male…also my fave! The Lunar Moth is absolutely stunning!!! I think my fave pic tho is the vultures w/ the appropriate moody sky! The hyena is so cute too 🙂
Kate, I have not seen any postings about the Mashaba female lately. Is she still with us or has she passed on?
My fav is also the African Moon Moth. How delicate and beautiful! Is it large?
Oh wow Kate I’m wordless! Incredible the Moon Moth is absolutely a prime! What a creature! I’m hypnotised. And… the Nkoveni and Ximungwe sisters! I was searching yesterday for last news about their mother. Both the Shingi male and the Styx male are absolutely beautifully selected by nature, provided their strong genes, the couple Styx/Breakaway Female is incredibly intriguing I love it I hope they have a future together in spite of many other lions, including the handsome Talamati male. The young giraffe at sunset and the doubles… the young hyena is a rare picture, I do.like it. The Burchell Coucas, impala in the sunny dust… and, lastly, you closed it fantastically, the Nkoveni Female and her son. Her picture of the Nkoveni Female resting on the branch is memorable. You did a magic.
Kate & Nik, Thanks for a fantastic set of images! We loved all the shots of the Shingi Male- we have seen him since he was young and are happy to see that hea stuck around. We also love the close-up of the African Moon Moth. We have never seen one!
Great Photos, Kate and Nic!
The one of the lunar moth is exquisite; my second favourite is maybe the Impalas in the misty and mysterious sunrise.
But of course, there are also all the leopards; the Shingi Male still looks immaculate, no torn ears, no scars on his nose, picture perfect!
Can’t wait to see all my favourites soon. What about the Ximungwe Female and her cubs – are there any still there?
Hi Kate, the two giraffe male’s standing across each other is a beauty, but the Lunar moth is my favorite this week. Loved all the photos of the Shingi male, just such a gorgeous young male.
Fantastic, Kate , love the golden lighted impalas, and for sure the leopards
Fantastic photos Kate and Nic! My number one favorite is the African Moon Moth, one of the most beautiful moths I’ve seen. After that the adult Tawny Eagle , the Burchells Coucal and the sub-adult Hyena stretched out on the airstrip. It’s always fantastic to see a few leopards as well!
Fabulous photos, Kate. The lunar moth is amazing. I love the photos of the Shingi male. It has been awesome to see him mature and thrive since we saw him as a cub. Thank you!