Reflecting on an incredible week of game drives I was able to witness a couple of months I thought I would share a few in particular here. I was lucky enough to experience two events that I might never get to witness again. No words can describe what unfolded before our eyes over a 24-hour period, but I will try to do it justice by including photos, videos and first-hand accounts from everyone that was on the vehicle.
One afternoon we went in search of a coalition of lions that have been making a name for themselves of late, the Plain’s Camp Males. From what we had heard after the morning drive, we knew that they had been feeding on a buffalo calf, so would very likely be in a similar area to the morning. After tracking them for about 45 minutes we eventually found them lying in the shade near a waterhole, full bellies and content. They had obviously gone for a drink after gorging themselves throughout the morning. The two lying fast asleep in the shade until two unsuspecting, adult zebras came for a drink during the warm afternoon heat. I am sure you might be able to see where this is going…
![Img 1594](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/10154014/IMG_1594-1398x932.jpg)
A dazzle of zebras drinking at a waterhole, taken on another, unrelated occasion. Normally zebras are extremely cautious before and whilst drinking, but on this occasion, they failed to sense the male lions no more than 50 metres from them.
Had these zebras both been in good condition, I am sure the lions would have watched them have a drink and then disappear into the distance without showing too much interest as they were already so full, however, one zebra seemed to have a severely injured leg and was struggling to walk. After watching the zebra hobble around for a good hour or so, and waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon, both lions got up and started to stalk. It was game on… They got within about 10 metres of the injured individual until one leapt onto the rump of the zebra and pulled it down whilst the other tackled it around the neck and brought it to the ground. It wasn’t long before the zebra draw its last breath and it was all over.
The emotions in the vehicle were mixed, from excitement and adrenaline to sorrow and despair. It was an amazing feat to witness but one couldn’t help but feel heartache for the zebra. At the end of the day, the zebra was quite clearly in a lot of pain and the lions played a part in their ecological role in nature by removing sick or wounded individuals from the population.
![Plain's Camp Male](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/02170406/Plains-Camp-Male-1-1398x932.jpg)
A Plain’s Camp Male takes a break from feeding on the zebra carcass and gazes at two hyaenas that came to investigate the commotion.
Fast forward 20 hours and its time to head out on our next afternoon drive, leopards are on the agenda – more specifically a female leopard who we suspect had given birth to at least one cub within the last week (we know this because 8 days prior she was heavily pregnant, and the next day she was seen with a very loose belly and heavy milk pouch.
![Nhlanguleni Leopard Cub 2](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13122300/Nhlanguleni-Leopard-Cub-2-720x480.jpg)
This is an image of the Nhlanguleni Female from a few years ago where she was seen with a cub from her previous litter who unfortunately did not reach independence. Sadly, we estimate the leopard cub mortality rate to be high in the Sabi Sands, potentially above 70%, due to the high predator populations.
As we drive out of camp and head down towards the river we spot the exact leopard we were hoping to find, walking across the sand – success! None of us expected her to be here, it was quite far away from where we assumed she was keeping her cubs, but – she was steadily heading in that direction, could she be going back to the suspected den site?
![Ac2a9800](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/27113914/AC2A9800-720x480.jpg)
The Nhlanguleni Female was seen mating with the Flat Rock Male a few months ago and as a result, we suspect him to be one of the potential fathers of the cub, along with the Senegal Bush Male, as she was also seen mating with him. A tactic often employed by female leopards to try to confuse both males into thinking that the cub(s) belongs to them.
After following her for about 20 minutes, we looped far up ahead of her to switch off our engine, give her space and await her arrival at the granite boulders which she has previously used to den her cubs. Was this really going to happen? Everyone was dead silent as we watched her slowly walk up the drainage line towards the boulders, and then she started to contact call for her cub – it was happening… I couldn’t believe it.
A quick disclaimer, amongst all of the euphoria that we were experiencing, none of us wanted to move a muscle in order to grab a device to capture the moment, not even our phones! In some ways, it seemed more important to be in the moment and really just absorb everything around us, a scene like this is playing out in front of you is a once in a lifetime experience. What it does mean is that we have 2 fairly grainy images of the occasion taken from a guests phone, so please excuse the quality.
![Nhlanguleni Cub Carry (2)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/02175613/Nhlanguleni-cub-carry-2-720x960.jpg)
The Nhlanguleni Female carries her tiny cub, no more than 5 metres in front of our vehicle! It’s amazing to think just how delicate her jaws can be as the cub’s life rests between her teeth.
![Nhlanguleni Cub Carry](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/02175629/Nhlanguleni-cub-carry-720x812.jpg)
She came within 3 metres of our vehicle, temporarily placed her cub on the grass only to readjust her grip and pick it up again to move to another den site.
Rob and Tracey, long time repeat guests describe their 24 hours as follows:
“We experienced the full circle of life within 24 hours. From an injured zebra mercifully being killed by lions – with feelings of sadness & difficulty to observe – to the joyful sighting of a 7-day old leopard cub being carried & carefully moved by its mother – feelings of amazement, miracles and personal impact, firmly bringing us fully into the moment & giving perspective to what’s really important in this manic world.”
I went to bed that night with perspective, I was reminded that we as humans are insignificant in the greater scheme of things. Nature is raw, it is harsh at times but it can be beautiful and gentle too. I might never get to witness events like these again, but I’m extremely grateful to have been reminded that there are still some truly wild places on this earth, I am lucky enough to live and work in one of them.
Amazing events to be witness too. Nature and life in there truest, gentlest, and rawest forms. Thanks Robert for the pictures and comments.
You’re welcome, William. Yes – amazing events indeed!
What a marvellous blog, thank you Robbie. What a lovely reminder of what is truly important- so essential to regain that perspective and so wonderful to be able to have that experience at Londolozi.
You’re welcome, Jane. I appreciate your comment. Perspective is important indeed!
What an amazing day of ” the full circle of life “. Nature can indeed be cruel, or at least sometimes seems to be cruel to us humans. And on the other hand so gentle and loving like the leopard mother with her tiny cub. And there are always surprises waiting out there, every drive could bring some incredible sight, some very special interactions of different animals.
That’s what makes it so fascinating.
There’s a surprise around every corner! (almost…)
Beautifully and sensitively written and I do VERY much appreciate the warning in the video. The pictures are fantastic and I love your perspective of our absolute insignificance in this breathtaking and amazing world. Thank you for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome Johanna, I’m glad you enjoyed (and appreciated) the article!
Good job describing the Ying & Yang of the life cycle–always difficult for visitors to understand at the initial visit.
After our first trip, I was asked by a friend to describe my experience. My response was that it made me feel “insignificant”–just as you mentioned.
Thank you Vin. Yes, I think its important for all of us to remember that we are truly insignificant in the greater scheme of things.
As a child I always preferred big cats over other predators way to kill their prey and this can be seen in the poor zebra’s death. Suffocation cuts the oxygen supply to the brain and prevents the pain of being ripped alive. Until it’s dead the lions won’t eat it. Zebras are so beautiful, it’s always sad. Aren’t these male lions responsable for the Tsalala lioness death? What a joy to srr the Nhlqnguleni female with her cub!
Yes, we believe the Plain’s camp males are responsible for the Tsalala Lionesses death (although we can’t be 100% sure…)
Spectacular! Thank you for sharing this beautiful post! Miss all of you, please send my best to all! What a magical world we live in!
You’re welcome Karin, I will do. Hope to see you back here soon!
How brilliant to witness the full circle of life within a 24 hour period. I’m in awe of your video and appreciate the phone photos of the newest cub – May it live to independence!
Brilliant indeed! We were so incredibly lucky.
Robert that was amazing to experience both those sightings within a 24 hour period. Shame I felt sorry for the Zebra, but in nature only the strongest survive. The little 7 day old cub is so precious, and I truly hope the cub will make it to adulthood. I’m sure your guests enjoyed those sighting tremendously.
Amazing indeed. All of us in the vehicle (guests included) enjoyed the sightings tremendously. Thank you, Valmai.
This is yet another wonderful blog. I am always fascinated to read comments about the cruelty or yin and Yang of Mother Nature. It is only humans that can be cruel. Nature has been successful for hundreds of millions of years, then humans arrived. We de-forest, capture animals to ship to labs, etc. It is incredible places like Londolozi, with their unwavering respect and passion for the wildlife and landscape that gives me hope.
I’m glad you enjoyed the read Jeff. I think that if, as humans, we try hard enough to respect mother nature, we may just be able to all live in harmony with one another.
Thank you for sharing these two remarkable incidences that you and your guest witnessed Robert! 🙏🏻💗 Quite incredible, one could say, a crash course in the ways of the Wild. Only the strong survive.
You’re welcome, Cally. I’m glad you enjoyed the read!
Wonderful to have seen the mother and cub, less so to see the zebra demise
Robbie, What an amazing 24 hours! It’s hard to watch the lions in action, but it is life “in the real world” as we have heard Dave Varty say over the years. How exciting to hear of the new cub for the Nhlanguleni Female!
Exciting indeed! I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
Wow wow wow! Two absolutely amazing experiences! I know that Nhlanguleni is relaxed but wow that she brought such a tiny cub right past the vehicle!
It was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life!
What a gripping and amazing 24 hours indeed Robert! Two “once in a lifetime” experiences in the time span of day – truly marvelous and awe inspiring!!