Autumn in the Lowveld, it doesn’t get much better! April is my favourite time of year on the reserve; the temperatures have started to cool down, the sunrises and sunsets are magical, the bush is still relatively green after the rains and there is still a fair amount of water to go around.
This last week we watched a herd of buffalos drinking from a waterhole in the southwestern parts of the reserve, one of my favourite spots to enjoy watching the sunset behind the Drakensberg Mountains – which is exactly what we proceeded to do! The following evening our drinks stop was interrupted by a hyena incessantly calling nearby, it was an inquisitive journey of giraffes that pointed us in the direction of the culprit, which in turn led us to a pack of three wild dogs running along the airstrip. After a postponed sundowner we made our way back to camp under the full moon.
On the bird front, we marvelled at a flock of black stalks perched together in the Sand River near our causeway and viewed a regal martial eagle perched in a dead knobthorn tree.
Since the Nkoveni Female has introduced her three cubs to meat as part of their diet, the four of them have been providing some amazing viewing. Late one evening we watched her hoist a kill into a marula tree which was fantastic enough in itself, but it was watching the cubs climbing up and down a dead leadwood tree the following morning that did it for me.
One of the biggest risks to the survival of these cubs is the young male leopards that roam through the area. The Ntomi Male is one of them. Although he has been spending most of the time on the western side of the reserve, he has been seen throughout Sparta as he continues to grow in confidence and stature.
Last but not least, and drawing our attention back away from predators, we enjoyed a beautiful scene of three white rhinos in the Manyelethi Riverbed on a misty Autumn’s morning and watched hippos in various waterholes enjoying the abundance of water that still provides for so many species on the reserve.
You will notice that for a few of the photographs I have included a second edit. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
![Hippo Calf On Mother's Back [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17133757/Hippo-Calf-on-Mothers-Back-RCB-1598x702.jpg)
A tiny hippo calf stays afloat on its mother’s back. Hippos can’t swim and neither can they float, so it is not uncommon to see young calves like this using their mother as a floatation device!
![Full Moon [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24130503/Full-Moon-RCB-1598x1598.jpg)
A warm, full moon. Illuminated by the golden hue created by the sun that had just set on the opposite side of the horizon
![Nkoveni Leopard Cub In Dead Leadwood (7) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16081049/Nkoveni-Leopard-Cub-in-Dead-Leadwood-7-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
One of the NkoveniFfemale leopard’s cubs pauses during its descent of a dead leadwood tree.
![Wild Dogs Running On Airstrip (3) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080727/Wild-Dogs-Running-on-Airstrip-3-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
This pack of three wild dogs has been roaming the central parts of Londolozi for a few months now. It would seem as though the only remaining female in the pack is pregnant and we are holding thumbs that they choose to den on Londolozi
![Wild Dog On Airstrip [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080656/Wild-Dog-on-airstrip-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
The hyena led us straight to the pack of three wild dogs, that we searching for pray in the clearings surrounding the airstrip
![Hyeana Walking Past Giraffe At Sunset [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080521/Hyeana-Walking-past-Giraffe-at-Sunset-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
This photograph was actually taken after we had viewed the wild dogs that she led us to. I love how nonchalantly she walked past this journey of giraffes (as she had done earlier that afternoon) as if they weren’t even there.
![Buffalo Cow Drinking [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080617/Buffalo-Cow-Drinking-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
A buffalo cow immerses herself in a waterhole right next to our vehicle and slurps up some water after a warm autumn’s day.
![Sunset Over Drakensberg [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080915/Sunset-Over-Drakensberg-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
The clear skies this last week have provided some amazing sunsets. What stood out for me on this occasion was the marula tree silhouetted below the sinking sun – an iconic Lowveld scene.
![Nkoveni Female Hoisting Impala (14) [rcb] Enhanced Nr](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16081421/Nkoveni-Female-Hoisting-Impala-14-RCB-Enhanced-NR-1598x1065.jpg)
The Nkoveni Female shows her immense strength by dragging this fully-grown impala up the trunk of a Marula tree
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.
![Black Storks (3) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23141146/Black-Storks-3-RCB-1598x755.jpg)
A species of bird seldomly seen on Londolozi, the black stork. I love the contrast displayed of their black and white bodies and their striking red beaks and faces
![Martial Eagle Perched In Dead Knobthorn Tree [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23141030/Martial-Eagle-Perched-in-Dead-Knobthorn-Tree-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
The largest eagle that we see on Londolozi, the Martial eagle, poses regally on the branch of a dead knobthorn tree
![Martial Eagle Perched In Dead Knobthorn Tree High Key [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/23141002/Martial-Eagle-Perched-in-Dead-Knobthorn-Tree-High-key-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
A slightly different pose, and edit too. Which one do you prefer?
![Ntomi Male In Jackalberry (2) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16081304/Ntomi-Male-in-Jackalberry-2-RCB-720x720.jpg)
The Ntomi Male Leopard gazes in our direction through the foliage of a scotia tree.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
![Wild Dogs Backlit (3) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/24130447/Wild-Dogs-Backlit-3-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
The Imbali pack of 12 wild dogs has also been frequenting Londolozi, mostly to the north of the Sand River. We had the privilege of watching them hunt on an open clearing late in the afternoon.
![Rhino In Manyelethi [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16081004/Rhino-in-Manyelethi-RCB-1598x1065.jpg)
A beautiful scene of three white rhinos in the Manyelethi Riverbed. This was most likely where they had rested during the night and we caught them just as they were waking up.
![Eye Level Hippos In Water [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/17133652/Eye-Level-Hippos-in-water-RCB-1598x650.jpg)
Two young hippo bulls eye each other out. As they were fairly relaxed we were able to get out of the vehicle and photograph them, allowing us to get an eye-level view.
![Generations Of Elephants Drinking [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16080820/Generations-of-Elephants-Drinking-RCB-1398x932.jpg)
Three generations of elephants have a drink of water in the late afternoon. If you look carefully enough you will notice the trunk of the youngest individual in between the two others.
Wow, beautiful pictures. It’s amazing to see how Londolozi’s wildlife and surroundings are still flourishing after the recent rain. My favourites are the look on the baby hippo’s face while it’s on its mother’s back, the incredible full moon (which I’d love to experience in SA), the preoccupied hyena passing by the giraffes and the serenity in the pic of the buffalo drinking. It makes me happy to hear that the Nkoveni female’s cubs are doing well and thriving just as we saw them a few weeks ago. And the sunset…is as breathtaking as it must have been to see it live.
Hi Robbie, thanks for your lovely TWIP. I’m a sucker for cubs, so I have to pick the Nkoveni cub in the tree as my joint favourite – my other choice is Nkoveni hoisting the impala, incredibly impressive.
Regarding your edits of the martial eagle, I much prefer the 1st one. Personally I think the 2nd one is more “arty” but looks a bit washed out. Give me colour every time!
Hippo calf on mom is precious, and so is the Nkoveni cub in tree
I love your image of the rhinos within the broader landscape for context. Knowing how endangered they are, paired with the scenery and the mist definitely struck an emotional chord with me.
Super photos – as always
The use of cropping really highlights the hippo and calf photo
Robbie, Thanks for sharing a great set of images! it was hard to choose which of the two Eagle shots we liked best but the second one is more dramatic with the washed out sky and the contrast is nice. We have our fingers crossed for the survival of the three Nkoveni cubs, and the one of the cub nestled in the tree was our favorite this week!
Wonderful photos, Robbie. Regarding the martial eagle photo, I like the first one (with the bluer sky) better. But this doesn’t mean that the second one isn’t also great.
So the Nkoveni female hastily her three cubs. Once in a blog the writer wasn’t sure whether one cub had died or not.
I love the soft colors, evening or early morning light in your pictures. Just beautiful!
I love the martial eagle in high key – beautiful. But the three white rhinos in the Manyelethi with the misty bushfeld backdrop – that for me is the quintessential Londolozi shot of the week. A great TWIP, thanks for sharing.
The opening picture of the leopard cubis my absolute nr one! Fantastic. Then the baby hippo, the Ntomi male (the lost cub reminded me of him)), his expression) and the full moon almost hits your eyes when looking at it. Elephants playing in the water always welcome. And the buffalo
Robbie such stunning images, this one of the three generations of elephants is something extra ordinary. Ntomi male leopard is still my favorite leopard, he has grown up to be a stunning leopard. I loved both the images of the Martial Eagle, each one tells it’s own story. Nkoveni perfect mother and strong as well dragging that huge impala up the tree for all three cubs to eat on. One of her cubs in the tree trying to climb down is a gorgeous image. They are so inquisitive and have an abundance of energy. Cute baby hippo on mom’s back.
Great pictures tis weak Robbie. My favorite is the golden moon.
I really enjoyed your photos this week Robbie, especially that stunning sunset with the Marula tree in the background. As far as your Martial eagle, I prefer the high key because of the straight on eye contact. Another favorite this week was your Ntomi portrait, those eyes seeming to gaze right through you.
I agree that April is a perfect month to visit, as I’ve found the sunrises/sunsets to be somehow more spectacular in addition to the Sand River flowing easily through the property, surrounded by verdant landscapes throughout the property.
The colors this week are stunning! The Ntomi Male is my absolute favorite but the leopard cub in the tree takes the top notch for me this week! Baby hippo getting a red is pretty sweet too tho 🥰
Absolutely lovely TWIP, thank you Robbie. Simply not able to choose a favourite this week. They’re all amazing.