The lions have certainly been keeping us busy this week, while the leopards have continued to keep us honest. Leopard viewing can be incredibly rewarding, but they can also be exceptionally difficult to find. It is easy to forget just how elusive these cats are when you spend enough time in the bush. This week was a good reminder of just how much patience, persistence and a little luck can go into finding one.
The Plains Camp Males made an appearance as they patrolled the western sections of Londolozi. They remain, in my opinion, the biggest males in the Sabi Sands. So whenever they pop up, it is always worth having the camera ready.
The Gijima Coalition have also been busy keeping up appearances and maintaining their grip on their territory. The Ntsevu Pride made a few appearances, while the Tsalala Female gave us a sighting that felt a little nostalgic. I hadn’t seen her in ages!
One of the highlights was a morning with the Nkuhuma Young Male. Born in 2021, he has grown into an incredibly impressive young lion. It is always fascinating watching these males mature and slowly reveal the individuals they will become.
The Shingi Male continues to move further afield and is becoming increasingly difficult to pin down as he edges towards that nomadic phase of his life. We also enjoyed a special morning with the Xinkhova Female and a brief appearance from the Ngungwe Female.
And of course Tinxiya had to make the cut. My favourite female leopard continues to provide some fantastic photographic opportunities, including a few rather unique shots that had me reaching for the camera more than once.
Away from the big cats the bush kept us busy. A Shikra gave us a chance to photograph a raptor I don’t see all that often. Giraffes provided some beautiful evening light and a little sparring between two males. Elephants crossing the Sand River never gets old and a relaxed rhino in some beautiful light rounded things off nicely.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
The Plains Camp Males really are massive lions, and on this particular morning that was only reinforced. We see the Gijima Males quite regularly, who are certainly no slouches themselves but I always find myself in awe of these two when I get an opportunity to see them!
One of favourite shots in recent times. The Gijima coalition resting just below the rising sun! There are a few suggestions that these males are on their way out. I personally can’t see this happening anytime this year!
A cool effect created by these two giraffe as the mum rested sitting down with the calf standing just after the sun had set on another incredible day at this special place.
The Ngungwe Female crosses the Manyelethi River bed. She looks in great condition.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
A breathtaking afternoon as we sat at on the banks of the Sand River watching herd after herd crossing the river. It’s afternoons like this that will forever be etched into my memory!
And of course the light was perfect…
A force to be reckoned with the Nkuhuma Male the oldest of all the Plains Camp Males offspring this young male means business!
My first opportunity photographing the Kurhula Female. I hope to see more of this female in the years to come! As an added bonus, she has cubs at the moment.
A highly unusual bird to see here at Londolozi, a Shikra (Accipiter badius), perfectly poised between these two branches. I know many of rangers are yet to see one here.
Naturally, a bit of Tinxiya Female content had to be included. She has been quite difficult to come by in recent weeks. As a growing young female, this I suppose is to be expected as she figures out the lay of the land.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
A different perspective as we watched the Tinxiya female swat at flies while she lay on her back. We were fortunately at eye level with her for these.
Photographing animals crossing the causeway is something I am always up for! It almost feels a bit like a natural amphitheatre with the sand banks on either side.
Glancing through the grass the Shingi male was trying very hard to not be seen by some impala close by. Unfortunately, a few minutes later, after he had us in suspense, an impala ewe spotted him.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
We’ve had some incredible mornings with the Gijima males in recent weeks. On this particular morning the two of them crossed the Sand River roaring constantly as they look to keep an iron grip on their territory!
Autumn colours are really starting to come through. What a scene!
These two bulls were at each other for a good 30 minutes. We were looking for a leopard this morning but understandably got completely sidetracked!
Every now and again they would break from the necking and stand side by side as they caught their breath.
The Xinkhova Female really was on display as she lay basking in some sun on a fallen Jackalberry!
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
After a quick stretch, it was time to move on, and just as quickly as she emerged, she disappeared into the Sand River.
A very relaxed Elephant bull drank right in front of us at Shingi dam.
A chaotic morning as the Gijima Coalition chased the young Ntsevu Male. His sisters watched nervously from this mound! The young male will have to be careful in the weeks and months to come!
The Hlambela Male with his prize. This male continues to impress. I can only hope we see more of him in the coming years.
An impressive male, appearing as a rising force in the north. Making a name for himself by pushing other males out.
Quite the Tower of Giraffe in a stunning open clearing.
The beautiful Ximungwe female rounds off this Week In Pictures. Have a great weekend, everyone!
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Lovely TWIP and interesting to see the Kurhula female amongst the mix. I was fortunate to spend some time with her by your southern neughbours earlier this month in her core territory. Goes to show these leopards travel quite a bit.
Thanks Fransje. She is a great leopardess. They do indeed!
Gorgeous photos Nic! I loved them all… and so wonderful to see so many leopards.
Thanks Heather. Such incredible animals to photograph. Admittedly though you need to look far and wide these days!
Wonderful leopards this week, thanks . Nice new ones, I hope also to see them more often.
Thanks Jutta!
Super photos – my favourite email of the week has again delivered
best wishes
Ian
Thanks Ian! Keep well
So many wonderful images in this TWIP, thank you Nic. Hard to choose, but my favourite is Xinkhova stretching in the tree, absolutely gorgeous.
Do you have any more info on the Kurhula female?
Thanks Suzanne. So the Kurhula female is daughter to a Leopardess known as the Ntsumi female. Her father in the Nweti male and she was born early 2024. We don’t see her much and the last time I properly photographed her was over a year and half ago.
Nic, Thanks for an awesome set of images! You covered a lot of territory! We especially liked the ones of the Tinxiya female, we hope you get to see her again soon!
Thank you. I did indeed. Admittedly plenty of long hours of absolutely no leopards at all!
Eclectic montage, Nic. Especially favor the kudu bulls on the causeway and tower of giraffe.
Thanks Willa
Boy the Nkuhuma Male looks fierce even w/o his full mane…he’s going to be king for sure someday!!! Also always love all the ellie pics. Great week Nic! Thank YOU and cheers to the weekend!
Thanks Anita! He is shaping up to be a really strong powerful male. Great to have him around.
A really nice collection of images this week, Nic! The Gjima coalition beneath the rising sun is a special catch – and all those giraffe!! You mentioned Tsalala; she and her cubs ok?
Thanks Mary Beth! Tsalala has unfortunately lost her latest litter to my knowledge.
Just a fantastic TWIP today, Nic, so much so that selecting favorites is not possible. Each of your leopard shots are special in their own way, yet Tinxiya stole the show as you caught her on her back taking advantage of a great angle. The Gijimas at sunrise was definitely a brilliant sighting captured but so were all the other lions…..elephants, giraffes, the Shikra, Kudu at the causeway – all making me wish I was sitting back in the Land Rover!!
Thanks Denise. Appreciate it! Tinxiya is such a incredible young leopardess.
Hi Nic, lions are so impressive, the giraffe necking a rare opportunity and elephants as well, the new leopardess is a beauty and the Ximungwe female a superstar. But… the pictures of the Tinxyia female are unique! She looks adorable, her green eyes into your camera, you have a sensitive feeling with her! Superb
Thanks Francesca! An absolute fan favourite.
Such beautiful photos, Nic. Thanks.
I think I like the one of the Ngungwe Female best as she is crossing the river.
The colours are perfect and it shows her strength very well. And my second favourite is the one of the 9 Giraffe with the beautiful landscape of Londolozi as a background.
The Tinxiya Female’s eyes still have this amazing blue coloration.
I have never seen or heard, I think, of the Kurhula Female. A really stunning leopard.
Thanks Christa! I hadn’t seen the Ngungwe female in some time so it was great to spend some time with her again. Tinxiya is such a special young leopardess.
Wonderful Photos especially the Nkuhuma Young Male. I search through the blog twice thinking I missed a photo of the Tsalala Queen, but sadly there wasn’t one. Maybe next time?
Hi MJ, my fault it seems I forgot to include the shot! I am sure someone will give an update soon.
Hi Nic. Your images are absolutely beautiful this week in TWIP. My favorite would be the Plains Camp Males, for me they are the biggest male lion so far and they are stunning specimen. Gijima are also huge and beautiful males. Loved all the leopard images.
Thanks Valmai – appreciate it!
Oh my days! How on earth am I supposed to choose a favourite? These pics are brilliant, every one of them. Being a photographer myself, I know that it is often a case of being in the right place at the right time. You seem to have had a lot of that this week, as well as a real eye for a good shot. I’m thrilled to see such artwork. Thank you Nic.
Thanks Tracey – admittedly a few shots taken either side of the week as well as plenty hours of toiling in the bush for no reward at times. Appreciate it though!
I’ve not heard of the Kurhula Female prior to this. What’s her story?
Hi Chelsea, she is daughter to the Ntsumi female and Nweti male. Born early 2024. We don’t see her much at all.
Very nice TWIP Nic! Great diversity of content. I was hoping for a photograph of the Tsalala female lion, but I guess she didn’t make the cut!!
Hi Paul, thank you! That is my fault – I had a shot lined up that I forgot to include. I am sure there will be an update soon.
Happens to the best of us! Great work all around!!
Great photos Nic. Glad to see some familiar ones from my recent trip. Yep, we had some challenging days but you and Euce put in the hard yards to get these opportunities.
Thanks Al – Challenging days indeed but that always makes the moments that much more special!
WOW!! .. This compilation of pictures is probably some of the best I have seen! You got some incredible captures Nic!
Thank you!