As April gives way to May, there’s a subtle but unmistakable shift settling over the reserve. The early mornings carry a cooler edge now, and the last light of day fades a little quicker, leaving behind that crispness that hints at the winter months ahead. Yet despite this seasonal turn, the landscape remains strikingly green.
Following an extraordinary amount of rain this season, with totals climbing beyond 1000mm which is nearly double the annual average. Water lingers in places where it so often disappears by now. The last time Londolozi had this much rainfall in a season was 40 years ago.
Out in the bush, the week has delivered its usual variety, with many of the familiar faces continuing to feature prominently. Big cats, as always, have stolen much of the attention. To witness both a lioness and a leopard moving their tiny cubs was something truly special.
It’s encounters like these that serve as a reminder of just how rewarding time spent behind the camera can be. Photography, in many ways, allows us to hold onto these fleeting moments just a little longer, preserving the stories that unfold in this ever-changing wilderness.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
The Nkuhuma Breakaway Lioness lifts her head from the tall grasses, fixing her eyes on a herd of wildebeest passing by along the thicket line below.
What a pleasant surprise it was to see the Nottens Male again as he wandered confidently through the southeastern parts of the reserve.
Born 2021, mirrors father Nweti's presence. Young force showing remarkable confidence while navigating nomadic phase in southern territories
We were so lucky to have rounded a corner and had this fleeting glimpse of one of the Kambula Lionesses carrying one of her 5-week-old cubs from her latest litter along the Maxabene riverbed.
One of the most incredible leopard sightings I was fortunate enough to witness as the Xinkhova Female moved one of her tiny cubs from one den to another.
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
A Woolly-necked Stork perches on a large fallen tree alongside the banks of Totowa dam, right next to us, during our afternoon sundowner stop.
The Nkoveni Female rests atop a fallen marula, fixing her gaze on a herd of nearby impala.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A portrait of the dark-maned Gijima Male as he lifts his head to listen to the distant roar of lions far away in the south-western parts of the reserve.
The Shingi Male moves through a dense bushwillow thicket in the afternoon twilight. There was a herd of impala a few hundred metres away that he was slowly making his way in the direction of.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
Upon us arriving, much like this curious young hyena cub, one by one, about 6 of them emerged from their den to come and investigate us.
The two Gijima Males walk down a dirt track together on a territorial patrol.
After a missed attempt at a flock of Arrow-marked Bablers, this Wahlberg’s eagle rests on a small dead stump.
The Ximungwe Female Leopard drinks at a small pool after sunset before embarking on a territorial patrol.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The Nottens Male pauses mid-drink after hearing the distant alarm calls of a herd of impala, which would indicate the presence of another predator.
A photograph that shows the incredible herd protectiveness of elephants of the newest member in their family.
A classic autumn sunrise scene from one of the crests in southeastern Londolozi.
One of the youngest members of the Msuthlu Pride climbs up a fallen marula tree to gain a better view of her surroundings while the rest of the pride rests in the late morning shade.
The Nkoveni Female snarls at a small flock of Crested Francolin as their persistent alarm calls attempt to give away her presence to the nearby herd of impala she was stalking.
A mother elephant sticks close by her small calf as she leads it safely through the main channel of the Sand River.
A flock of vultures roost on a dead knob-thorn tree in the late afternoon.
A large buffalo bull, along with a few other members of the herd, take full advantage of cooling off in a large waterhole on a very warm afternoon.
The Three Rivers Female pauses to listen to the nearby rasps of the Nkoveni Female who was on a territorial patrol in the area.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
A female wild dog, from a pack of 6 individuals, moments before she lay down and rested after a long morning of hunting without much success.
The Nkoveni Female glances back into the beautiful early morning light as the sun had just crested the horizon.
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on The Week in Pictures #751