The winter chill is now beginning to wane at Londolozi; the cold air bites at first light, our breath visible in front of us as we wait in anticipation for the bush to stir. But as the sun begins its slow rise, casting golden light through the trees and across the misty grasslands, the rewards are immediate and abundant. Despite the cooler temperatures, the bush has been anything but quiet. In fact, this time of year often feels like a photographer’s dream—soft, low-angle light stretching long shadows, vibrant wildlife activity playing out against golden backdrops, and the occasional magical layer of morning mist that transforms the landscape entirely. It’s in these moments that the true beauty of winter at Londolozi comes to life, and this past week has offered a wealth of opportunities to capture it.
This week has been a celebration of both the familiar and the unexpected. We’ve spent time with some seldom-seen faces—like the Mhangeni Pride, who continue to thrive in the south western grasslands, and the Gijima Male Lions, whose increasing presence has sparked a lot of speculation around the future lion dynamics of Londolozi. The Maxim’s Male provided us with my best sighting of him yet as he posed for us in an open clearing. My first sighting of the young Fourways Males has further added to the speculation surrounding the lion’s current activity as they begin testing their independence. Adding a thrilling twist to the week was the arrival of a new coalition of two male cheetahs—a rare and exciting sighting that brought a buzz of energy to the southeastern parts of Londolozi. Not to mention a fleeting but unforgettable chance to photograph a honey badger under the cover of darkness. And just when we thought the week couldn’t get any better, the bush offered up one of its most elusive treasures: an incredibly relaxed Pangolin moving through the open clearings. Moments like these remind us why every drive holds the potential for magic.
A highlight this week has been the youngest members of the Kambula Pride, who are growing rapidly in both size and confidence. Their playful antics now extend further afield as they begin travelling greater distances with their mothers, becoming more integrated into pride life with each passing day. Meanwhile, the bond between the Nkoveni Female and her young male cub is continuing to shift. She’s been spending less time with him, allowing him moments of solitude as he begins to explore independently. It’s a natural but poignant transition, marking the early steps of his journey into adulthood.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
After an unbelievable find from Tracker Geshom, our guests were treated to a very welcome sighting of the dominant male cheetah in the southwestern grasslands after not having been seen for a while. Here, he can be seen was a nasty gash on his front left leg, which he may have picked up from a hunting collision.
The hyena cubs of the resident clan have been offering some precious viewing with their curious nature.
Walking with intent. The Kambula cubs are led through Shingi clearings on a chilly, overcast morning.
The elusive Maxim’s Male provided us with my best sighting of this impressive male to date!
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
A large giraffe bull pauses to scan upstream in the Sand River before proceeding to walk through Finfoot crossing.
An unbelievably exciting sighting of a new coalition of two male Cheetah that really appeared out of nowhere! Will we continue to see these two males take up residence along the southeastern parts of Londolozi?
Curiosity and the Cat. One of the Kambula Pride’s newest cubs curiously stares us down. It has been incredible to see how these young lions have found their comfort in and around the vehicles. A beautiful testament to the thorough habituation process we follow at Londolozi.
A dazzle of zebras will always be the perfect subject for a black and white edit, especially when quenching their thirst.
Winter’s golden afternoon light peers through the shadows to catch one of the Mhangeni Lionesses at just the right moment to accentuate her mesmerisingly honey coloured eyes.
An unbelievable track and find by Trackers Geshom, Advice & Milton as they responded to a symphony of alarming impalas, only to find the Nkoveni Female with a prized meal.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Perhaps my favourite image of the week! The Nkoveni Young Male rests along the branches of a Marula tree with the setting sun in the background, providing the most incredible soft golden light.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
An impressive buffalo bull takes a break from feeding to soak up the last bit of sunlight whilst moving through the open grasslands.
A slightly different image, but I just love how the fading afternoon light catches and backlights the dust being kicked up by this bachelor herd of buffalo bulls.
We were incredibly lucky to find this very relaxed yet elusive honey badger who was preoccupied with his digging just long enough for us to capture a couple of shots!
My first sighting of the three young Fourways Males. How will their presence further disrupt the ever-changing Lion dynamics of Londolozi in the coming months? Will we be seeing more of these young males?
An elephant mother and calf pause for a drink at a nearby pan before catching up with the rest of the herd, who had already started feeding again.
The Talamati Male soaks up the warmth of the morning sunlight after one of the coldest evenings we have had this year!
Tranquil moments with a herd of elephants as the sound of their grumbles and splashing water fills the air around us.
The Ntsevu Pride move through some open clearings after using the drainage lines as cover. Intent on seeking out their next meal.
A glimpse into the secretive lives of one of the most elusive animals to be seen on safari. What incredible creatures they are, and it seems as though Londolozi’s Pangolin population is doing incredibly well!
The dark-maned Gijima Male is fast becoming my favourite Lion to see on Londolozi. The rise of the Gijima Males has only just begun… Stay tuned for more updates on this impressive coalition in the coming months.
Sunsets and Silhouettes. A picturesque scene of the iconic Rhino Dam in the fading afternoon light.
Rhino Dam’s resident hippo provided us with a magical territorial display in the final hour of the day’s light.
The lighter-maned Gijima Male rests atop the bank of Tugwaan Dam wall.
You’ve posted a fantastic group of photos for Friday’s TWIP but first I have a question – who are the Fourways males? From where did they come?
Moving on, favorites are your sunset image, Maxim, Nkoveni mother and son, pangolin, honey badger and the two male cheetahs. Really nice images Reece, as you’ve captured the winter light beautifully.
Thank you, Denise! It’s been a truly wonderful time to spend time in the bush as a photographer. We not not know all too much about them except that they are the Fourways young males.
Sons of the 3 Imbali/Mluwati males, born into the Fourways pride around 2021, these boys are grandsons to the Majingilane, Matshapiri and Mluwati. They are still young and given the chaos between all the larger dominant males, I don’t see them sticking around too much longer.
After spending 7 days with Reece and taking some amazing photos of Leopards and their cubs and Leopards with a kill in a tree Reece you lucky devil, a Pangolin…..the only animal we searched for long and hard. We hope you were in awe and enjoyed what must have been a “surreal” moment we are so envious but WOW magnificent to see as are all the other photos. Thank you for being such a terrific and knowledge Guide – those 7 days were some of the best we spent with you and at Londolozi. Regards…The Jussie’s David and Lana Ogilvie
Thank you very much, Lana and David. We hope that you are both keeping well! Sending you lots of love.
I’ll echo Denise—this is the first I’ve heard of the Fourways males. I’d love to know more about them, especially given the shifting lion dynamics at play. Will Panthera be able to shed light on the origins of the two male cheetahs that have popped up?
Hi Chelsea! We do not know all too much about them except that they are the Fourways young males.
Sons of the 3 Imbali/Mluwati males, born into the Fourways pride around 2021, these boys are grandsons to the Majingilane, Matshapiri and Mluwati. Given the current dynamics, I don’t think they will stick around for too long. I’m sure they will head for quieter pastures but perhaps in the future they could return after gaining some size and experience. As for the cheetah’s, I’m sure they will be able to especially if us and our neighbors begin to have more frequent sightings of them but my best bet is that they will spend majority of their time along the western reaches of the Kruger National Park.
As usual, wonderful pictures again.. Favorite is the Kambula Pride’s newest cubs
Thank you, Sandra! It’s difficult not to pick that as a favourite when there are 6 little cubs roaming around!
Reece. Terrific photos! You make it look so easy!! I inserted the Pangolin into my Favorites. I see one of the new Cheetah pair wears a collar. You mention they arrived “out of the blue”. I don’t know how the collars work exactly, but can tracking information be secured from them?
Hi Camille, thank you very much! I am so glad that you enjoyed this TWIP!
The cheetah was mostly likely collared whilst spending time within the Kruger National Park so it is likely that it was done by one of the Endangered Wildlife Organizations. We do not have access to any of that information.
That pangolin pic is pretty special! Thx Reece.
Thank you, Marcia! It is truly special to be able to see them, let alone snap a shot of one so I am over the moon.
I’m in awe of the sightings for this TWIP and mostly of the Pangolin. This species has alluded me on all my many drives. I’m hoping next year, y’all can conjure one up!
Terrific TWIP, Reece. It’s so hard to pick just one when they’re all so good. But I’m going for the Nkoveni young male, same as your choice.
Interesting to see 1 of the male cheetahs has a collar….does this give you a clue as to where they’ve come from?
Hi, all pictures are really superb, lions and cubs, leopards, the male giraffe, elephants, zebra, the mighty hippo and the buffalo, both the lone male and the bachelor herd. The picture of the male cheetah is perfect, I think it is a real winner. The landscape is very peculiar, their beauty and class are enhanced by those moon-like sand and dried plants. The eyes of the lioness, that’s a great picture that strikes as well. The honey badger and the pangolin are the surprise, so elusive and rare, especially the pangolin…
Dear Reece, wow , a honey badger and a pangoline-what a week. So many fantastic shots. Still unbelievable, that Nkoveni managed her injurie like this. Thanks a lot.
Hi Jutta! It was a very special week indeed! I am so pleased that you enjoyed this TWIP! Stay tuned for more!
Love those hyena cubs so much!
They are always so sweet as little cubs. I hope you are well, Anita.
Hi Reece, what beautiful images this week in TWIP. I loved your sunset image with those beautiful colours. My favorite would be the young Nkoveni male lying on a branch up a tree. So glad to see the huge Maxim’s male again, he is a stunning leopard. The little lion cub all on his own is too cute. I see the image of the elephant mom and calf by the dam, there is a nest in the tree right next to them. Who is nesting there please Reece.
Hi Valmai, I am so glad that you enjoyed this TWIP. The owners of the nest would be Red-billed Buffalo Weavers.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos, Reece. I love them all!
Thank you, Christa. I hope you are well.
Love the 2 Gijima males!
Hi Gawie, they are incredibly impressive.