There are some mornings in the bush that will forever be etched into your memory as something special. Some drives just gather momentum on every corner, building layer upon layer, into something unforgettable. This was one of those mornings.
A giraffe slowly walks across Ximpalapala crest with the koppie standing out in the background.
Our goal for the drive was to cross into the northern parts of Londolozi to look for the Xinzele female. As many of you know, over the past few weeks she has been seen hanging around Ximpalapala Koppie, a den site she has used in the past. And recent sightings have suggested that she has given birth. And so, it was a no brainer to go and have a look for ourselves.
A pair of Giant Kingfishers has been using the causeway as their hunting grounds for the past few weeks and wow, do they know how to put on a show.
We crossed into the northern reaches of Londolozi at the causeway and as if on cue, our day began with the ever-so-reliable Giant Kingfisher perched on the matumi tree about halfway across the Sand River. Perched with purpose above the water, it offered us yet another photographic session with this beautiful bird. Eventually, we managed to pull ourselves away from the amazing scene and start working towards Ximpalapala crest and eventually, the Koppie itself.
But the bush, as always, had other plans.
Before we reached the crest, a set of female leopard tracks caught our attention. Freddy and I climbed down from the vehicle to take a look. As we pieced together her movements, trying to read the story hidden in the sand right in front of us, the radio broke our silence. A leopard had been found in a marula tree on the very crest where we were about to drive. But this was not the Xinzele Female.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
Draped across the branches of the marula tree lay the Ngungwe Female. What followed was a stretch of some photographic magic. The morning light caught her rosettes in the most perfect way, and when she decided to descend the tree, the rolling hills in the background created a scene photographers would only dream of. As she disappeared into the thickets, we thought our morning could not get any better, but that was far from the truth. We had not even reached Ximpalapala Koppie yet.
The Ngungwe female descending the Marula tree off Ximpalapala crest. A sighting and backdrop that I have personally dreamed of photographing during my time at Londolozi.
We continued towards the rocky outcrop, our true objective for our drive. The granite boulders rising high above the earth like an island, and there she was, the Xinzele Female. Lying on a boulder at the base of Ximpalapala Koppie. As we approached, she slowly got up and ascended the rocky outcrop.
The Xinzele takes rest on top of the granite boulders at the base of Ximpalapala Koppie.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
As she approached the area we suspect she is keeping her cubs, instead of stopping and calling out like she normally does she paused… then suddenly she sprang up a nearby marula Tree at the top of the Koppie. Across the little clearing between us and Dean’s vehicle, I hear his voice ring out, “Look, a male leopard”
Almost immediately the dynamic shifted. The energy in the air had changed completely.
The Hlambela male, emerging from a small crevasse, had just searched, potentially looking for the cubs.
An impressive male, appearing as a rising force in the north. Making a name for himself by pushing other males out.
The Hlambela male emerged. Before we get into the next part of the story, I must add that we presume he is the father, but his actions now suggest this possibly could not be the truth. From atop the marula tree, the Xinzele Female watched as the Hlambela male started sniffing around the boulders, where we assume the cubs are hidden. He went from crevasse to crevasse. Sometimes, he would almost disappear completely into the small gaps between the boulders as if he were seeking out the cubs. After a few minutes and with no success in finding the cubs, if they were there, he slowly lost interest and drifted off, melting around the other side of the rocky outcrop out of sight.
We sat there in silence for some time. A morning that started with a Kingfisher became a tangled story of leopards, tension and ultimately some unanswered questions. Later, down by the river, we marked the moment in the only way that felt right, Amarula coffees in hand, replaying every second of the drive we had just experienced.
The actions of the Hlambela male are questionable. Is he really the father? Would he have tried harder to find the cubs if he weren’t the father, or was he just checking in on his new additions to the world? Time will give us the answers, but for now, all we can do is hope the cubs are safe, and we will keep you guys in the loop as things play out in this unpredictable world we live in.
Oh, that’s dramatic!
This sounds like an almost perfect drive Bryce, as all that was missing was finding Xinzele’s cubs, although seeing Ngungwe framed by that perfect background, the Giant Kingfishers on the causeway, Hlambela amongst the Koppie boulders, by all rights would be complete gratification. The thing about drives is that a plan can be made given early information, yet the bush has other ideas once the journey begins and more than not, what is actually experienced brings far greater excitement. Hopefully the seemingly endless rains will not impact the guiding team from driving to the north in the hopes of finding Xinzele’s den.
What an incredible morning, Bryce.
To see three different leopards on one morning drive!I nearly envy your guests.
Hi Bryce, mother leopards lives are always so complicated! They must be always on the edge… the Ngungwe female has a magnificent coat with deep golden and dark rosettes, and she looks very alike her mother, also so elegant. And also, the Three Rivers female ‘s niece… did you find out if she definitely has cubs? The Xinzele female is a masterpiece. It was a great mating with the Hlambela male, if so, and who knows what he was doing in her favourite boulders. Hopefully nothing bad… even if you are the only ones to find out what did happen…. let’s hope to see new cubs, and lurking hyenas and odd fathers keep their way out…. kingfishers always make excellent pictures!
Sure hope he doesn’t find those cubs…even if they are his!!! The photo of the Kingfisher is AMAZING!!!
Thanks Bryce, what an amazing game drive you and your guests had! But the bush has certainly left you with more questions than answers.
Hi Bryce, I am sure all you Rangers are frustrated, confused and at the same time very concerned to know if the Xinzele female has cubs and where exactly are the cubs. Especially with male leopard lurking around and going into the crevices to try and find them. I hope soon you will get your answers to all your questions and also to let us know what is going on there on Koppie.
My heart would have been in my throat watching the Hlambela male rummaging around…
I’m sure hoping to see those little cubbies next month!
Very scary moment for the Xinsele Female if he was not the father, but wouldn’t she have come down to challenge him or at least draw his attention away if he wasn’t???
A very full and eventful morning, indeed! I’m with everyone else in hoping her cubs are safe. Looking forward to an update, soon.