It seems after my recent blog “Who will my Fiftieth leopard at Londolozi be?” there have been a few newcomers, and so now, with much anticipation, I await to see which leopard it will be.
Two new males have already made their presence known while I was away: the Nambu Male and the Gonya Male, both born in April 2023. The day I got back from leave, the Gonya Male finished off the remains of an impala kill on the reserve before retreating further east. The Nambu Male was seen while I was away and hasn’t been seen since. Both of these males are nomadic, and so it is likely that they are both dispersing from their mothers’ territories on our eastern neighbours. Young males arriving from neighbouring areas are always exciting to watch as they could potentially establish themselves.
With the loss of the Nweti Male and Senegal Bush Male and now most recently the Mawelawela Male, we have yet to see newcomers to these territories.
Born 2014, dominant force in southern Londolozi. Notable for jaguar-like rosettes and exceptional hunting prowess, particularly of warthogs
Dominant from 2019-2024, transformed from cautious visitor to powerful territorial force. Mastered central Londolozi until his final days.
Born 2013, initially a fairly aggressive elusive male that has somewhat relaxed. Found in unconventional leopard territory of the grasslands
Then there’s the possibility of the Langa Female, born in 2019. She has been spending time in the northern reaches of the reserve. She has only been seen once or twice by the rangers but it seems tracks of her suggest she spends a bit more time on the reserve than we may think. She is also currently raising cubs so may potentially have to venture further out of her territory to provide for these cubs. Female leopards often establish stable territories, and if she continues to expand her range, we may begin seeing much more of her.
The Langa female who is yet to raise cubs to independence despite being 7 years old.
An unlikely prospect is the Sibuye Female, born in 2014 and still very much a territorial female leopard, which lies just east of the reserve’s northern boundary. Leopards regularly remind us that reserve boundaries mean very little to them, and if she starts venturing further west and pushes her daughter, the Langa female, we could soon have another female leopard in the northern parts of the reserve. This female is from the same lineage as the Three Rivers female, as her mother was the Xidulu female.
Daughter of Sunset Bend Female, this resilient leopard raised at least 5 cubs to independence before a tragic end defending her final litter
The Makomsava Female occupies the territory north of us so it seems unlikely that a new female would be able to push southwards at this stage. With the Xinzele Female also safely occupying the north western part of the reserve
The Makomsava female who use to be a familiar female in the northern parts of the reserve has now established herself further north.
The only surviving cub of the Nanga female, currently territorial northern Marthly. Currently denning north of boundary
Still very much in control in the northern parts without pressure from the eastern parts.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
Perhaps the biggest question surrounds the recent loss of the Three Rivers Female. Her passing leaves a significant gap in the leopard landscape. Nature rarely leaves prime habitat vacant for long, and it raises an intriguing possibility: could the New Rocks Female begin pushing further west of the Sand River to occupy some of that available territory? Territory shifts like these are part of the natural cycle, and watching how neighbouring leopards respond is one of the most fascinating aspects of following these animals over time. Although the Tinxiya Female has been seen here of late, time will certainly tell.
The next chapter for the Nkuwa Young Male is certainly underway as the Nkuwa female has been mating with the Thamba Male west of the reserve. He is born at the beginning of 2025 so still very young as he navigates this next phase. There has been little change in the Nkuwa females territory in recent years and the prospect of the Nkuwa Young Male dispersing soon like her previous litter did.
The Nkuwa female and the young male being groomed.
Raised as an intact litter, first in 7 years, who has now made her own history by raising two males to independence as an intact litter.
The Ngungwe Young female is probably the most likely candidate for now but still remains elusive for me as we find stashed kills with no sign of her. She has been seen more regularly, but for some reason I can’t seem to find her.
The Ngungwe Young Female born in December of 2024 is now approaching independence as her mother has been seen mating recently and could give birth soon.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
For now, the identity of leopard number 50 remains a mystery. It will most likely be the Ngungwe Young Female or it could be one of the ambitious young males from the east or the Nkuwa Young Male from the west. It could be a female expanding her territory as she navigates the pressures of rising cubs. Or perhaps another completely unexpected newcomer altogether.
One thing is certain: I can’t wait to get back into the bush and find out.
Nice one, Kirsten! I saw the Numbi and Gonya males last year at your Easter neighbours. Interesting to see where they will both decide to settle. Thank you!
Kirsten, is Langa in the NE areas of Marthly, similar to the Kwatile (Maliliwane) Female? She currently has a single cub now 10-months old (born roundabout October 2025) most likely sired by the Tortoise Pan Male. She’s pushed increasingly further west in that span and her mother has in turn, moved north into the area that she initially ceded to her (rearing a male cub who is over a year old) as she’s also seemingly made space for the N’wana Female. So although Langa herself is relaxed with the game drive vehicles, her cub has been seen on a handful of occasions.
Thanks, Kirsten for this update on the leopards of Londolozi and the neighbouring areas.
I have seen lots of them though not all yet.
A good reason to come visit again.
Actually, on my first two visits I didn’t pay that much attention to the leopards’ names or lineage, so I ma not quite sure how many I have seen so far at Londolozi. Certainly not 50 different ones, but about 30, I guess.
After reading your story, I am thinking #50 leopard is just around the next bend of the road given the number of new leopards wandering through the property. Sean’s introduction of the Gonya male in his virtual safari yesterday was a nice surprise – he’s certainly a great looking male, and would be a nice addition to the reserve and could your fiftieth! I will be waiting for your next installment announcing your sighting….
Hello Kirsten! Thank you for your very interesting Blog which perfectly fits into the current Leopard of Londolozi Story. And I am very much looking forward to meet Langa soon. But I am afraid I am a bit mixed up with her lineage… From your today Blog, she is 7 year-old (hence, born in 2019). Her great-grand mother is Sunset Bend (born in 1992), her grand mother is Xidulu (born in 1995, or 2001?) and her mother is Sibuye (born in 2013). Am I -more or less- right so far? If so, Langa’s birth date couldn’t be 2019 … Maybe you could help me putting it right? I am not sure my question is of interest for most of the Londolozi Blog readers (sorry about it….) butI would be very grateful if you could help and I thank you in advance… Cheers!
Langa was born in August 2019 to the Sibuye Female along with a brother, Shasha. Sibuye’s mother was born in 2001 and is also the mother of the Three Rivers Female. Langa was part of Sibuye’s second litter
Wonderful review of leopards past and present, Kirst! 49 leopards must be an incredible thing to experience, and I’ll stay tuned to hear which amazing cat gets the honor of being your 50th!
Hi Kirst, with so many leopards around you have to keep book of all them, otherwise a person get confused fused. With their markings along the nose it is so etimes difficult to spot at once. You are doing well with looking for No 50 on your list. They are all stunning and I can sit watch them for many hours on end.
Thanks Kirst for your updates- I’ll look forward to hearing which one will be your 50th!
I didn’t know the Mawelawela male had died – do you have any more information?
Hi Kirst! Welcome back! Fantastic!!! I was thinking about the Tortoise Pan Male and the Maxim male, how long they will go on dominating their vast territories. The males you portrayed that are gone were the ones I was most interested in. The Nweti male was exceptionally handsome and a wonder to see. Sean wrote about a new male leopard, and you got to photograph the Gonya male and the Nambu male. Then, a surprise, the Langa, Sibuye ans New Rocks females…. the Nkuwa and Ngungwe I read about them and followed their story. And the youngsters…. it’s a complicated matter. Have you got any news on the Ntomi male? I can’t forget him…. very intriguing, interested blog!
What a fun review of so many of the reserve’s leopards, Kirst! We did manage to see the Nkuwa Young Male and, very briefly, the Ngungwe Young Female when we were there in May. I’m especially looking forward to seeing if these young males from the east have settled on Londolozi when I next visit in April.
Dear Kirsten, what a nice story about those different leopards. i had also the chance to saw a few of them, hopefully in the nearest future another nice one. Thanks for that leopardline.
Hello Michael. Thank you very much for sharing your memories (or archives…) with me. I think I got Langa’s lineage right now : Sunset Bend (her great grand mother, 1992-2010), Xidulu (her grand mother, 2001-2017), Sibuye (her mother, 2013- and probably still alive still she gave birth not too long ago – 2023- to the Gonya male). And Langa was born in 2019 (or 2020). NB I got mixed up with Xidulu because her name has also been used (up in the north) for Ingrid Dam Young female… Thank you anyway !