We welcome the close of another work week with an array of wildlife splendour. The landscape is transforming with bursts of green seeping through breaking the blanket hues of browns and greys. A few misty and rainy mornings will only accelerate this process and before we know it the lush greenery will canvas every setting.
On the general game front, as the new grass shoots break the cover of the ones that went before them, the zebra and wildebeest begin to flock back to the open grasslands. Giraffes enjoy succulent fresh leaves that dorn many a tree. And even the tortoises have been set free from the months of aestivation to feast and replenish their energy stores.
On the predators’ side of things, the Tsalala Female rests in the early morning light. A few of the Ntsevu Sub-adults have graced us with their presence. The Northern Avoca Males, who have been rather scarce, are seen briefly in the north, with a certain look of intensity in their eyes. And the rock-climbing Talamati Pride gain a vantage point to scan the surroundings.
Turning to the leopards, the gorgeous Nkuwa Female, far beyond the perimeter of her territory was intent on seeking out and mating with the Senegal Bush Male. The Ximungwe Young Male features a number of times and reassures us that he is now independent of his mother. However, the Nkoveni Female is still moving around contact calling for her daughters. Although, we hear that she has only been seen with one daughter. And lastly, the Senegal Bush Male is found with a hoisted impala carcass in a large marula tree and allows for some great shots.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
The beautiful Nkuwa Female, well outside of her territory, had been lured further east by her interest in the Senegal Bush Male. After watching this leopard as a little cub in 2018, it was great to be able to spend an afternoon with her again.
One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.
A couple of zebra, making the most of the full waterholes, quench their thirst on a particularly hot afternoon.
The Tsalala Female, sadly is now alone again. Finding her early in the morning we hoped she would eventually get up and move around.
The Ximungwe Young Male has been seen more and more by himself exploring further and further afield. We wonder where he will end up settling.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
A stunning Lilac-breasted Roller stands out on a small twig with a clean background blurred out by the low f-stop used.
The Nkoveni Female rests atop a termite mound with an intense stare towards our vehicle as she continuously contact calls for her two youngsters.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
The Talamati Pride perched atop a few boulders.
A male baboon shows his impressive canines in a display of dominance and intimidation to the lowly-ranked males of the troop.
The Talamati Young Male was found by himself near the Londolozi airstrip. He has been in search of his siblings, The Talamati Subadults, for a few days now. Strangely, he had tacker Advice and I (as well as the guests) puzzled as he was constantly looking up at a Knobthorn tree. There was no obvious animal up there and he was not sniffing the air as if he smelt something but maybe a Leopard had been in that tree the night before?
An impressive view of the Senegal Bush Male resting in a large marula tree with a carcass draped over the branch infront of him.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
Time spent with elephants is never wasted time.
Northern Avoca Males on an early morning territorial patrol. These males have been scarce on Londolozi. Still clutching to their territory in the north, it could be an interesting time ahead if we see any rivals move through the area. Are they able to hold on to their territory and females much longer?
The Ximungwe Young Male scans his surroundings atop a fallen marula tree.
It has been a while since we have seen the Nstevu Breakaway males and so finding them finishing off the remains of a giraffe kill was a welcomed surprise. It seems one of the females has left this breakaway pride and the four males and one younger female are still nomadic.
A female giraffe towers over us while feeding. Giving us an unusual view of her ears held back making her look rather timid.
The resident hippo bull in one of the smaller waterholes certainly has a short temper. Often displaying as soon as a vehicle arrives.
After an unsuccessful chase after three old buffalo bulls, two of the young Ntsevu Males scan the horizon.
With spring well upon us, and after a few rain clouds showering the reserve, we’ve started spotting these little creatures as they come out of hiding.
All the photos although different, are all beautiful and makes it difficult to select a favourite. Love the tranquil scenery of the two zebras drinking and their reflection on the water.
Thank you so much, Babs. I am so glad that you enjoy all the pictures this week.
Beautiful images this week and the one that stands out for me is Chris’s Nkuwa female, framed by the grasses. The colors are so subtle, rather like a sepia tone.
So what happened to Tsalala’s aunt? Did she fall pregnant and move away? Lose interest in spending time with her niece? Of course you can’t answer these questions, but it is curious since they seemed to have each other’s back. I’m sorry she’s alone again. It’s so sad for a lion to not be part of a pride.
Thank you so much, Denise. It is such a stunning image by Chris.
The Mhangeni Female has reunited with her pride and is believed to be pregnant from a mating bout with the Plains Camp Males from before she met up with the Tsalala Female. It is a pity that she left the Tslala Female by herself but lets just see what happen maybe they join up again or accept the Tsalala Lioness into the Mhangeni Pride.
The lilac breasted roller is gorgeous. I so much enjoy the photos of the rollers, kingfishers, and bee eaters.
Thank you so much, Doug. The Lilac-breasted Roller is stunning.
Nkuwa female looks like she has such long eyelashes in that pic. So beautiful. But the Ximungwe young male is such a stunner too.
Both of those leopards are gorgeous.
Loved so many of the photos of the leopards, the elephants, hippo, etc., but this time I will say that the 2 young Ntsevu males staring off into the distance after failing to make a Buffalo kill that caught my eye. Great shot! Great TWIP!
I have to agree with you in that image of the two Ntsevu Young Males their eyes look so intense and captivating.
I had given up on the Avoca males since they have been absent for a while. Also, the Ntsevu Males have certainly matured,
I also agree, we do not see the Northern Avoca Males nearly as often as I thought we would. They no longer confidently venture deep into Londolozi as they have done in the past. We will have to wait and see what is in store for them. The Ntsevu Sub-adults are growing into fine-looking young lions.
The golden light and luxurious vegetation make all pictures an absolute treat! They are all superb. If I have to choose one the Ximungwe young male is such a superb perfect creature in that natural frame his expression is superb. The young Ntsevu males have a very different eye colour from each other I didn’t notice it before. I’m so sorry for the Tsalala female! She is a lovely lioness and a winner against all odds I hope she will find a mate to form a pride
Thank you so much, Francesca. The image of the Ximungwe Young Male is great. we hope that the Tsalala Female will find another companion but we will have to wait and see.
Lovely photos.
Why is the Tsalala lioness alone again? Has her companion died or left her, or don’t you know?
I like the picture of that baboon with his big yawn. The Talamati pride on the boulders makes such a beautiful picture.
And all those beautiful leopards, as well as all the other photos: Thanks to all the photographers for sharing.
Thank you so much, Christa. The Mhangeni Lioness that was with the Tsalala Female has reunited with her pride and sadly the Tsalala Female did not go with her.
As usual another great weekend pictures. My favourites were the Nkuma leopard… That shot rather made her look like she was enjoying a day on the Sand dune’s at the beach.
Also the Talamati male lion looking up to the tree and the Ximungwe male leopard.
And of course the Senegal Bush male in the tree with a kill… And mating with another leopardess where does he find the time!
Thank you so much, Kara. I guess that pic of the Nkuwa Female does look as though she is on a sand dune. The rest are great images too.
Hi Sean, such stunning foto’s again this week and it is getting more difficult to choose a foto as they are all beautiful. The Talamati male lion stands out for me with his paws together and him looking up the tree. His eyes are so beautiful and it is as if he is silently praying for his siblings to arrive. Loved the tortoise as well.
Thank you so much, Valmai. It can be a challenge to choose, but thankfully for me, the imagery that everyone is producing is so stunning.
Gorgeous photos. All of them. How to choose! Love the one of the Talamati young male. And the Ntsevu young males. And of course, Nkuwa, one of my favorites!
Thank you so much, Lisa. Those are some great choices, I know it is always tough to choose just one.
Sean, wonderful pictures of all the animals at Londolozi. My favorite this week is the shot of the Lilac-brested Roller. It is a very special picture capturing the beautiful colors of the bird. TWIP’s never disappoints !!
Thank you so much, William. The colours on the Lilac-breasted Roller are so vibrant and gorgeous.
I cannot pick a favorite. This must be the most exceptional set of photos yet. Simply gorgeous. All of the animals so vibrant and healthy. However the young Ntsevu Males are such handsome lions. I hope they stay on Londolozi and sire some Cubs 🙂
Thank you so much, Johanna. There certainly is a great selection of images this week and yes we do hope that the Ntsevu Males hang around.
Sean, why would Nkoveni be contact calling for her daughters? – now they’re of an age to be independent, surely she would be withdrawing from them to give them that final push. I wonder if the sisters will stay together initially as Nkuwa and Finfoot did.
I think that they have still been seen together and so maybe she is still helping them out. I know the one female is more independent than the other and so maybe she is still caring for the less independent one.
So many expressive faces this week! I particularly loved the Talamati young male. The lions on the boulders were also an interesting change of usual scenery. Lovely collection as usual.
Thank you so much, Chelsea.
Hi sean These pictures are really beautiful. Can I ask you something?
Thank you so much, Liuchang. Yes, sure!
Hello, Sean I’m from China. When I was 18 years old, I watched the documentary about mapogo Lion. I felt very shocked. Can you tell me the story about mapogo in detail? Thank you very much.
Hi Changchang, the Mapogo story is a fairly long one to tell in a comment here. Please follow this link to the previous stories put out about the Mapogo Coalition. Thanks.
Really? That’s great thanks sean ，I hope all lions can be like mapogo. Their friendship has touched many people.
Sean, So great to see so many cats – especially the younger ones coming into their adulthood. The young male lions look like the are dressed for a party and our favorite image is the Talamati Young Male. Thanks for all the great images!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. There is a great collection of images this week, I am glad you enjoyed them.
Superb photos, as always – well done all @ Londolozi
The stunning Nkuwa female with the beautiful grasses behind – wins hands down!! 👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you so much, Carly. The Pic of the Nkuwa Female is a stunning shot.