Although the bushveld is still lush and waterholes full, the much colder temperatures and in fact one morning where the rangers reported frost to be on the ground in some areas, have resulted in the what was dark green grass to very quickly dry out and transform into shades of brown and yellow. Adding amazing hues to the photography at the moment.
In this very predator-heavy photographic week, we finally capture some incredible images of the elusive Maxim’s Male leopard as he responds to another leopard calling in the distance. The Ximungwe Young Male features as he balances on the end of a fallen marula branch. The Piccadilly Female is found and presents a beautiful facial shot highlighting her bright green eyes and pink nose. The Three Rivers Female hears some impala alarming in the distance and climbs a termite mound to try and see what may be strolling by.
This female is most often encountered near the Sand River to the east of the Londolozi camps.
Robbie captures a stunning shot of one of the Nhlanguleni Female’s cubs as it drapes itself over a branch of a jackalberry tree as its sibling and mother feed on a carcass nearby. It is great that these cubs are now being led to carcasses to feed on. We also spend some time with the Talamati Pride and one of the Northern Avoca Males.
Lastly and I guess quite excitingly is another shot of the Mashaba Female and one of her cubs, although this image is from a few weeks ago, we hope that the cubs are both still doing alright and are alive. I wonder when we will next get to see them.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
Two of the newest members of a hyena clan came out of their den just as the sun was setting. These cubs are only a few weeks old and are yet to start showing the spotted coats that they will have when they get a bit older.
The amazing late afternoon golden light bounces off this spectacular Bateleur.
Most probably the largest leopard on Londolozi currently. The Maxim’s Male is an extremely impressive leopard to view. His relatively shy nature yet extreme confidence and size create a very unique and exciting sighting. In this particular sighting, he was striding across an open clearing with the beautiful afternoon light reflecting off his face. The browning long grass and winter colours add to this scene.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
Later on in the sighting, the Maxim’s Male responded to distant calls from another leopard. It was amazing to see this dominant leopard move with such demeanour as he protects his territory. It was the first time I have been able to photograph this leopard’s face out in the open.
A beam of light broke through illuminating this Collared Sunbird as it balanced on a thin branch. A dark shaded background made this colourful little bird stand out even more.
In the past, the Maxim’s Male has been seen to be very unrelaxed around the presence of vehicles. After following him for quite some time this scene was one of my favourites of the sighting. The setting really captured an iconic Londolozi leopard sighting. Beautiful light combined with a dry river bed to be topped off with a very impressive male leopard.
The Ximungwe Young Male took a break from hunting francolins to perch atop a fallen over marula tree on a cloudy winter’s day to scan an open clearing.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
The Talamati Pride are making a more of a name for themselves as they are spending a lot of time on Londolozi. The Young Males are growing into tall large males and will be formidable when they are in their prime.
Two young male lions in the Talamati Pride follow the path that their mother and sisters had already taken. These lions have been on the move a lot recently, most likely due to the shifting lion dynamics all around them.
A glimpse into a stunning section of the Sand River. This is one of my favourite parts of the river, where it is tucked away in amongst the Riparian forest and flows over rocks creating a small waterfall.
Late one evening we found the Piccadilly Female on the banks of the Manyelethi Riverbed. Her green eyes and pink nose are very distinctive features of this beautiful leopard.
This female is most often encountered near the Sand River to the east of the Londolozi camps.
The Dark Maned Avoca Male lion gazes towards the Talamati pride as they attempt to hunt a heard of impala.
A female Warthog exits her burrow in a termite mound. She stopped and scanned if the coast was clear before she trotted off to feed for the day. Lately, the Warthogs are leaving their burrows later in the morning to avoid the cold winter mornings.
This image is not necessarily from the past week but one that never made it into the week in pictures at the time. The Mashaba Female had been very elusive since the first sighting of her at python rocks. Finally, we managed to find her and her two cubs in a new den. With the grass being long and the cubs not used to vehicles, getting a good view was challenging. We sat patiently for ages until we were rewarded with one of the cubs climbing up onto a fallen marula trunk in front of its mother.
The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.
The Three Rivers Female responds to impalas alarm calling in the distance by standing on a termite mound to get a height advantage. Unlikely to be alarm calling at her, she soon started to demarcate her territory by calling which made us believe it was potentially another female leopard in the area.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
One of the Nhlaguleni Female’s cubs glances down towards where her sibling and mother were feeding on a duiker carcass. This must have been one of the first times the Nhlaguleni Female has taken her cubs to a kill as she begins to introduce them to eating meat.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
The Maxim’s Male yawns as the evening light glistens on his back. Yawning and grooming usually precedes activity with big cats, he started his territorial patrol shortly after this photograph was taken.
The image of the Collared Sunbird is stunning.
Thank you so much, Lisa.
Beautiful birds, super spots and large lions, but this week my vote goes to Miss or Mrs Piggy, the female warthog emerging from her burrow.
Thank you so much, Darryl.
Wow, thank you, that’s a lovely birthday present for me this morning! A very difficult choice again this week, but my favourite image has to be Robbie’s of the Nhlanguleni cub – simply gorgeous. Good to see the pics of Maxim’s male – we saw him in February when he walked across in front of our vehicle, but our viewing only lasted about 3 seconds! You said he’s the largest male around, but how does the Nweti male compare for size? (I haven’t heard anything about him for some months).
A very Happy Birthday to you Suzanne. I am so glad that you enjoyed the TWIP on your birthday. The Maxim’s Male is known to be very skittish.
I think they are similar in size, the Nweti Male is a tall and long leopard, whereas the Maxim’s Male is a thickset leopard.
Robbie’s Nhlaguleni Female’s cub pic gets my vote this week!
Thank you so much, Tracey. It is a great shot.
Wow, the Maxim’s male is indeed an impressive leopard. The bird pictures are just brilliant, the colors of the bateleur eagle are splendid and one can really discern each little feather of the sunbird.
I love all the photos of all the leopards, the cute young hyenas, the warthog, the river, and not to forget the lions.
Stunning photos! Thanks.
Sometimes I think that maybe one doesn’t have to visit Londolozi at all because one can see and watch all the most amazing sightings of animals- that maybe not even your guests see- in your blogs.
Thank you so much, Christa. The Maxim’s Male is impressive. It is indeed great that you get to see everything here on a digital platform, but I think the real thing is so much better.
My favorite. Hyena pups and Collared Sunbird. Additionally I need to mention the great shot of the warthog. Of course the Piccadilly Female is beautiful. If I were a male Leopard the Piccadilly Female would be my first choice. So pretty
Thank you so much, Andrew and Daniel. The Piccadilly Female is a stunning leopard.
Stoff’s sunbird wins it for me this week. 💗👍🤩
Thank you so much, Marcia.
Maxim’s Male head on & yawn shots. Beautiful and powerful looking specimen.
Thank you so much, Vin. The Maxim’s Male is an impressive leopard and those are some great pics.
Some photos I wish I had taken , and aren’t hyena cubs cute ?
Thank you so much, Ian. There are some great photos here.
Great selection of photos Londolozi team! The one of the Piccadilly Female is a stunning example of the Sunsetbend lineage. Do you all still see her daughter or is she hard to find now that she’s independent?
Thank you so much, Michael. We do still see her. She may be setting up territory in the central parts of Marthly.
Stunning foto’s this week in TWIP. My favorite is the Nhlanguleni cub in the tree, so gorgeous. Beautiful bird foto’s this week, bateleur and sunbird have Stunning colours. Loved all the leopards.
Thank you so much, Valmai. The cubs shots always seem to do well and this week is no different.
Such great photos! I have to say that the one of the Ximungwe young male is my favorite this week! He is quite the poser!
Thank you so much, Lisa. The Ximungwe Young Male is a handsome leopard.
A stunning array of images this week, Sean! It’s hard not to vote the Maxim’s male as my #1, but I’ve never seen such a fabulously colorful and regal Bateleur. That capture is my fav of the week!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth. The Maxim’s Male is great, but I do agree that the colours of the Bateleur are stunning.
Wonderful week of predator images, but the little Nhlanguleni cub grabbed my attention a bit stronger than Barry’s Ximungwe young male. Well done Robert, although all are winners at the end of the day.
The photo of the Nhlanguleni Cub by Rob is such a stunning pic.
Awesome pictures and especially nice to see some excellent shots of the elusive Maxim’s male. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Marc. We were so happy with the sighting of the Maxim’s Male. It is not often that you get such great shots of him out in the open.
By far my favourite pic this week is the beautiful pic of the Collared Sunbird. How exquisite! I also really love the Nhlaguleni Female’s cub. How beautiful!
The Collared Sunbird is a great shot as well as the Nhlanguleni Cub.
How do we vote for the pic – just by commenting on here? Thanks
Hi Carly, yes, by just commenting here which is your favourite.
Ok awesome, thanks!
You are welcome.
Sean, the image of the collard sunbird is my favorite this week. The photograph really stands out.
Thank you so much, William. The picture of the Collared Sunbird is fantastic.
My favorite is the Sunbird because of the colors, the contrast between light and dark, and the beauty of the little bird itself. I also loved the baby leopard hanging out looking at Mom and sibling. Thanks for these!
Thank you so much, Sally. It is a magnificent shot.
The Nhlaguleni female’s cub is my favourite picture of the week. I look forward to many more pictures of the cub growing up and learning from it’s Mother in the future. Thank you for capturing such a special moment.
Thank you so much, Dulcie. It is such a great photo.