Over the past week at Londolozi, we were finally blessed with some rain. Although this is just the beginning, the bush has already come to life. This week has been a very interesting one, especially in the lion dynamics of Londolozi.
The Gijima Males’ presence has been here for a while now as they are moving further and further into the Ndzhenga Males’ territory. With this northward movement, the Msuthlu Pride has also followed. Venturing the furthest north they had ever been with the Gijima Males, they managed to hunt and kill a buffalo. Lion Dynamics are extremely versatile at the moment, and with this development, the next couple of months will be very interesting. We were also graced with the Munghen Pride’s presence at one of our wallows in the south west.
On the leopard front, I managed to capture my first-ever sighting of the Thamba Male, who is territorial west of Londolozi. The Three River Female and her now almost as big as her cub gave us some incredible viewing as we watched them move through some clearings, marching toward a kill. The playful nature of this young female always provides for amazing viewing. Wild Dogs managed to tree an unidentified female Leopard in Marthly. It always amazes me how quickly they can get up these dead trees when they really have to. The Maxims Male and Ximungwe female were seen mating, confirming that she has unfortunately lost her cub. The size difference between them left me in awe.
The Makhatini Family keep pulling on our heartstrings as they continue to flourish in the open seas of Londolozi. It’s a matter of time before these cubs leave the mother, so we need to savour these sightings.
This week has not just given us our first rains but sightings that were out of this world.
Let us know your favourites in the comments below!
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
The Three Rivers Female and her cub moving through a clearing as she leads her to an impala kill.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
The Young Female could barely contain her excitement while being led to the kill.
The Three Rivers Female is inspecting her kill after leaving it for some time to collect the young Female.
A curious young hyena cub pops its head out of the mound, watching the older cubs play around our vehicle.
A younger Mhangeni Lioness watches the rest of the pride settle after quenching their thirst.
A Guinea Fowl digs through a rhino midden in search of something to eat.
The pack of wild dogs chased this young leopard up into a tall, skinny dead tree. As it stands, we are unsure of who this leopard is, but hopefully, with time, we will see her again and get some better photos that will help us identify who she is.
A first sighting for me of the very impressive Thamba Male. Let’s hope he continues to push further east and becomes a frequent visitor around Londolozi.
A lioness from the Msuthlu Pride watching the large herd of buffalo feeding around the Tugwaan drainage.
A massive buffalo bull charges towards the pride as they attempt to hunt the herd.
After an unsuccessful hunt that morning, the pride rested in the shade of the drainage line. Before settling down, this young male tried his luck at climbing a tree.
One of the youngsters in the Makhatini Family clawing a tree after finishing off a impala kill.
The mother can’t help but watch another herd of impala in the distance after finishing off their kill.
The morning after watching the Msuthlu Pride unsuccessfully hunt the buffalo herd, they managed to change their fortunes, getting one down that evening. A young Female in the pride feeds on the rib cage.
A Gijima Male feeds with the pride as he stares at one of the youngsters getting closer to his prized area.
One of the Gijima Males takes a moment to listen to some impala alarm calls in the distance.
A herd of elephants stops to quench their thirst as a flock of Egyptian Geese watches on.
The Maxims Male and Ximungwe Female were found mating one morning. Confirming that her cub has gone. Here, they attempt to cross a very wet section near the Maxabene river bed.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
Only time will tell if their time together will yield any cubs.
Remind me of where the Msuthlu Pride resides? I don’t hear them mentioned often, and I can’t remember seeing them before. I’ve been wondering when the cheetah family would separate, so glad they’re still together for now.
Usuall to west of Londolozi on Sabi Sabi
Beautiful pictures, Patrick, I can’t pick a favourite! I think the Thamba male would be 9 years old now?
I’m sure you’ll all be sad when the Makhatini family split up – has there ever been the opportunity to follow a mother plus 3 cubs to maturity before? Let’s hope the cubs stay in the area so you can watch them on their new journey.
My favorties are the curious young hyena cub, and the young ellie quenching it’s thirst.
Super photos – as always
This time last year the Makhatini cubs were itty bitty and oh so playful. It’s amazing how large each of the three have grown and that they have survived and thrived. Looking forward to seeing them ‘on their own’ next year!
Lots of really nice big cat photos! My fav is the cheetah mom with her beautiful eye color perfectly mirroring those leaves… thxs Patrick!
Love the photos this week, Pat! The Thamba male portrait is interesting; I’d love to know the back story behind that right ear of his! But my fav is the rather artistic shot of the Makathini mother gazing ahead. The red/brown leaves are a pleasing complement to her coloring.
Hi, all animals are caught in action here, and the moments is perfectly caught- I am obviously touched by the sweet moves of affection between the Three Rivers females, I was struck by the Guinea fowl digging, never seen it so deeply and I like such birds, as Egyptian geese. The black-and-white buffalo picture is absolutely great, it has an atmosphere and the look of the leader tells it all. Beautiful felines, leopards and lions. The Ximungwe female is so striking as usual…. cheetah are my favourite this time, I love the look of the cub turning and looking at you. They are so elegant and delicate yet powerful big cats…
Hyena cub hands down is my fave this week!!!
It’s heartwarming to know you still see the playful side of the young Three Rivers female, especially knowing that she will be leaving her mom soon so thanks for including her photo. Other favorites are the Gijima lion giving the stink eye to a lion looking to share his portion of buffalo, the Makhatini female, portrait of Thamba, and finally the duo of Maxim and Ximungwe. Let’s hope you’ll be seeing her cubs at the beginning of 2026. Thanks Pat
Hi Patrick, you images are outstanding this week in TWIP. My favorite would be the Three Rivers female and her cub, secondly would be the cub on her own walking. She is quite a character and very playful. Loved all your photo’s.
Hi Patrick, great photos as always. To see my beloved cats every week is a privilege. Amazing how this young female leopard was able to climb up that very slender and high tree.
The cutest photo is certainly this young hyena looking out of their hole. Even hyenas can sometimes be cute. And I love the guineafowl – great shot!
Three Rivers Mother and daughter are such wonderful animals. I wonder how long they will probably stay together. The same can be asked about the Makhatini family. Such a good job that cheetah has done with her three cubs. They have enormously grown.
Wow, an amazing week of photo opportunities!
Great pix, of course! Just wondering – what is a “rhino midden”?
A midden in like a communal toilet. So the all defecate in the same spot
The Thamba male is one of my favorites. Having followed him and his Uncle Hosana growing up along side each other. Thamba is also from a Northern Sabi Sand Royal line.. Safari > Karula > Thandi > Thamba. He turned 9 last July, I hope we see him for a fair number of years to come. Lovely Blog, I always look forward to This Week in Pictures.
Is the Three Rivers Young Female the daughter of the Maxim’s male? She got massive bone structure like him.
It’s so difficult to choose but my faves are the Three Rivers young female on the log, the mother cheetah staring, her almost fully grown cub staring backwards with the sun gleaming in those incredible eyes, and the guinea fowl.