Spring has arrived at Londolozi, and the transformation is already underway. The first rains have washed over the reserve, coaxing fresh grass shoots from the dry earth and spreading a vibrant green blanket across the landscape. After months of muted winter tones, the bush is coming alive with colour and energy. The contrast is striking – golden winter grasslands now interspersed with patches of bright green, the air feels fresher, and there’s a palpable sense of renewal in everything around us. The light continues to be exceptional during this transitional period. The low morning and afternoon sun still provides that warm, golden glow that photographers crave, but now it illuminates a landscape that’s shifting daily. The dust has settled, the temperatures are rising, and the bush feels like it’s waking from a long sleep. It’s one of my favourite times to be out on game drive—watching the land transform before our eyes while the wildlife responds to these seasonal changes.
This week has offered a wonderful mix of familiar faces and unexpected encounters, all set against this backdrop of renewal. The big cats of Londolozi have certainly stolen the show. We were treated to a very special sighting of the Maxim’s Male mating with the Ximungwe Female—a pairing that has us eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new litter of cubs in the coming months. The Tortoise Pan Male continues to be a force to be reckoned with in the northern reaches, while sightings of the Three Rivers and Nkoveni duo continue to bring joy to guides, trackers, and guests alike. However, given their respective timelines, we’re acutely aware of the inevitable—soon, the Nkoveni Young Male and the Three Rivers Young Female will set off on their own journeys toward independence. The Nkuwa Female provided us with an incredible photographic opportunity as she lay atop a gabion, and the Flat Rock Male set the scene atop Matumi Rock in the Sand River—a true bucket list sighting for anyone who has been to Londolozi.
As the Gijima Males have pushed further north, so too has the Msuthlu Pride. We followed them through beautiful morning light as they trailed behind a herd of buffalo, their intent clear. The Ntsevu Pride have been spending more time in the north, trying to stay closer to the Ndzengha Males, and as a result have been seen frequently around Southern Cross Koppies. And lastly, a very rare glimpse of an Otter and her pup scampering across the causeway.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
A sighting I have longed for over the last four years! The Flat Rock Male poses elegantly in the dying light of the day on top of Matumi Rock in the Sand River. A huge thank you must go to Kirk Family for allowing me to borrow their camera to capture these shots. My 70-200mm could not do this image the justice it deserves!
Born 2013 Kruger, seized prime territory at young age. Strategic dominance led to successful lineage before current eastward shift.
Although this was two weeks ago, I just had to include what I managed to capture from this incredible sighting of the Maxim’s Male mating with the Ximungwe Female.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Seeing leopards mating gives you the true perspective of the size difference between males and females. Especially when it is the ever elusive Maxim’s Male!
Quite a difficult sighting to watch… A Hyena strolls away from an Elephant carcass carrying a prized possession… The foot of the Elephant!
The golden ascent. The Three Rivers Female rescues the Impala carcass after it was clumsily knocked out of the tree by the Three Rivers Young Female.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
The Nkoveni Young Male rests peacefully along a fallen branch. After having fed on two separate kills in the same tree, the young male needed a big nap.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
The Three Rivers Female stills towards us at eye-level during one of her afternoon patrols. After seeing the direction she was moving, we took a risk and decided to loop ahead in the hope that she would come through the Tamboti Tree grove and approach us at eye-level, and luckily it paid off!
A beautiful morning spent with the Ntsevu Pride, they navigated their way through the beautiful boulders of Southern Cross Koppies. A real-life “Lion King – Pride Rock” moment.
A migrant returns. A Wahlberg’s Eagle perches atop a dead Knobthorn Tree in the fading evening light.
Arguably one of his favourite trees, the Nkoveni Young Male has been seen countless times resting in the same tree and this time the setting provided the perfect opportunity to play with a high key black and white edit.
Sightings of the Three Rivers duo together are becoming less and less frequent as the young female draws nearer to full independence. The young female (right) is already larger than her mother (right). How many more opportunities will we have to capture moments like this?
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
The Nkuhuma Breakaway Male continues to grow in both size and confidence. What a beautiful male he is.
Arguably, my favourite male Leopard at the moment. The Tortoise Pan Male is an absolute behemoth of a dominant male. Having him lock eyes with you as he walks toward you is quite the exhilarating experience.
Born 2016 to Ndzanzeni Female, royal descendant of Mother Leopard. Now a dominant force in the north.
Spending time around water holes later on in the mornings this time of year is always fruitful, in this case, a young elephant bull quenches his thirst at Tshabalala Pan.
The Nkuwa Female treated us to the most spectacular sighting of her perched atop an old stone sign, providing a picturesque photographic opportunity.
Raised as an intact litter, first in 7 years, who has now made her own history by raising two males to independence as an intact litter.
The Nkuwa Female is surely one of the most stunning Leopards I have been privileged enough to view and photograph.
The golden morning light perfectly catches one of the Msuthlu Lionesses as she leads the rest of the pride through Siwela’s clearings.
Still too young to have mastered the art of drinking by use of their trunk, this little elephant calf had to dip his mouth down to the water to quench his thirst before scurrying back to his mother’s side.
The dominant male Cheetah of Londolozi spends the closing moments of the day resting atop a termite mound, scanning the surrounding crests for any prey. Perhaps my favourite time of the day to view a Cheetah as the light just accentuates their beautiful amber colored eyes.
Albeit a brief glimpse, this was the last thing I expected to see as we stopped to do some birding along the causeway. An Otter mother and her young pup scampered across the waterway as a Saddle-billed Stork watched on.
The battle-hardened face of the Tortoise Pan Male on a territorial patrol. He truly is a pleasure to photograph due to his relaxed nature around vehicles.
Hello Reece! Lovely sightings all round. My favourite image? Definitely the Three Rivers Female with her daughter! Remember a year ago when we saw them and the little girl was feeling unwell? How her mother tried to rouse her by pulling her by the neck to get up? And then rousing her interest by carrying that lapping chick in her mouth? I cant believe that she is looking so strong and that she is bigger than her mum! Regards Fransje
Hi Fransje, I’d forgotten all about the 3 Rivers young female being poorly. I now remember reading about it on the blog. and being very concerned about her. Sounds like you were actually there at the time?
Hi Fransje! Yes! How could we ever forget that! It was a very special sighting.
To echo Suzanne as well, although it was a concerning sight, it is just a true testament to the incredible resilience these animals have. What a pleasure it is to see her alive and thriving now.
The Tortoise Male is a true Menace – If you look at him in the eyes.
The Hyena with the Elephant foot is also a stand – out for me
A menace is such an apt description, Gawie.
We were treated to some very unique sightings especially the hyena.
There are some pictures I can’t pick a favourite among them in this fantastic Big Cats Gallery…. the Three Rivers female and her daughter are absolutely perfect at timing and pace close to each other, even exchanging subtle communications. The Flat Rock male looks as the king of the landscape, and the Tortoise Pan male an incredible example of force, beauty and trust. The Nkuwa female is a masterpiece, restying on the stones, as her mother she’s so gorgeous. As I love otters and they are rare I feel the excitement by looking at the mother and her pup playing too…. a memorable galley with great contemporary youngster and big cats that bear the look of the past. The cheetah is always a favourite to me. Lions are impressive as well, and the young elephant is tender and funny.
Thank you, Francesca! It truly was a week for the big cats but that Otter sighting was just the cherry on top!
Hi Reece, very good selection. For me the stand out was the unusual and exciting otter sighting.
Thank you, Eric. It was such a special sighting, it’s difficult not for it to be a favourite.
So hard to choose! My favourites are Nkoveni Young Male resting and Nkuwa Female perched atop old stone sign
Thank you, Sandra. I completely agree. Some fantastic choices.
When do the 2 nearly independent leopards get their names…must be fairly soon!? Great photo of the Flat Rock Male!
Thank you, Linda. We are currently brainstorming names as we speak and it won’t be long before we will update everyone as to what has been chosen.
Fabulous series of images.
Thank you, Karen!
Reece, Great photos and thanks for all leopard updates!
Thank you for all your continued support, Michael and Terri!
baby ellies will always steal the show! but I also really like the b/w of the Nkoveni Young Male in the tree! spectacular!
Thank you, Anita. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this TWIP. Some great choices!
I love the photo of the Nkoveni Young Male on his fallen tree/log!! His face is so content! A mere 13 months ago, I saw both him and his sister with Nkoveni, and now he is a big beautiful teenager on the precipice of independence. And it is great to see Three Rivers with her beautiful daughter, as well…..as we enjoyed their company a couple of times last year. The Three Rivers Young Female is incredible in her size compared to her mama!
Thank you, Lisa. As I am sure you have picked up both the Nkoveni Young Male and the Three Rivers duo are fans favorites of the Londolozi community. We hope to continue to follow them along their journey as the youngsters approach independence!
Thank you Reece, wonderful photos. My favourite has to be the Tortoise Pan male, as I first saw him at 2 months old when he was the cutist little cub – such a contrast to now! I saw him again a few times but the last time was 6 years ago. I would so love to see him again when I’m back in 3 weeks.
I haven’t seen Flat Rock on the blog for ages, thought he was missing and presumed dead?
Thank you, Suzanne. The Tortoise Pan male truly is an impressive individual that is still thriving up in the North! Hopefully, he will be around when you are next here!
The Flat Rock Male is also still alive and well however, he pushed his territory further eastward and when he does come onto our side, he spends the majority of his time in and around the river, making him a tricky individual to find.
Hi Reece some stunning images this week in TWIP. My favorite would be the Nkoveni young male sleeping on fallen tree. All the leopard images are stunning and I am thrilled that Maxim’s male and Ximungwe female have mated. Let’s hope that soon there will be a cub or 2 to view.
Thank you, Valmai. I am so glad that you enjoyed this TWIP! We too are holding thumbs for some new additions to the Leopards of Londolozi.
Great selection of images Reece! I had a few questions about some of the sightings. I’m assuming the Tortoise Pan Male was on Marthly? Could you provide a rough area he was seen? I keep territory maps on Google Earth and chart sightings of the individuals (mostly in the northern SSNR) including the TP Male, who is Londolozi royalty being the 3x-great-grandson of the Mother Leopard which makes him literal walking history in a sense!
Also, just curious as to the process of image selection for TWIP? Does it vary by rangers and given the photos are dated older when clicked on, are images substituted in the event the sighting didn’t give any usable images, someone forgot their camera, etc? I know when rangers are with guests they prioritize them and so their photography desires aren’t always the first thing on the agenda in a sighting. Don’t know if this selection process varies by ranger but the images are always great!
Hi Michael. Thank you.
Yes the Tortoise Pan Male is usually seen around the north eastern and central parts of Marthly. He likes spending a lot of his time between Mahlahla Dam and Nanga Pan. It’s always exciting trying to keep track of the leopards movements as it allows us to better understand how they like to operate.
In terms of the TWIP process, it may differ between different guides. Our priority is always positioning for the benefit of our guests and sometimes that means we may miss a shot or two. When it comes to selecting images. We try to keep as relevant and current to the particular week that we have a good collection of images with. The TWIP’s get scheduled across all of the photographic guides meaning that when they are published, it might not be images from that exact week of that makes sense?
The TWIP is a beautiful way for us to showcase what we manage to capture as we witness the magic that Londolozi has to offer and that is why there may sometimes be an “outlier” image or two that aren’t as current. Sometimes I am so pleased with a particular image that I feel like it would be a crime not to be able to share via this platform.
I hope this helps your understanding and that I have answered your question. Please feel free to reach out if you would like any more clarity.
Thank you for your vested interest and support.
Thanks so much Reece, I greatly appreciate your response on both questions!
Wonderful, your photos, Reece. It is very nice to know that the Flat Rock male is still around. Haven‘t seen a photo of him for a long time. The leopard photos are all gorgeous. I also like the one of the lion-queen on the rock especially. Great photo. The cute elephant baby, and the otter with her baby are other favourites.
Thank you, Christa. I am so pleased that you enjoyed this TWIP. The Flat Rock Male has been lurking in and around the river which is almost inaccessible but hopefully he might make an appearance on our side in the search of other females to mate with.
Nice collection of photos this week Reece and o definitely have a few favorites. First of all, well done on capturing these two images of the Tortoise Pan male, a leopard who is quite special for me. He was the first leopard I saw, during the first drive on my first visit to Londolozi in November 2018. He was stunning then and even more so now. I hope he stays around for a while. The photo of the Nkoveni young male, sound asleep with his fat belly is priceless as is the duo of Three Rivers female and her daughter side by side. Nkuwa is one of the most beautiful female leopards currently and you were fortunate to find her on that stone sign post. Do you know if she still is raising a cub?
Hi Denise. Thank you very much. The Tortoise Pan male is certainly a star of the show given his impressive size and relaxed nature. We are also hoping it’s only just the beginning of many more sightings to come. And yes to our knowledge the Nkuwa Female does still have a cub.
A memorable collection of leopard shots this week Reece! Hard to name a favorite, but seeing the Flat Rock male was a real surprise and ultimately I’m impressed with that portrait of the Maxim’s male! Actually I’m just jealous of that capture as his elusiveness has prevented me from even seeing him in the open. Maybe next time…I hope!
Thank you, Mary Beth. I’ll be holding thumbs that he is out and about in all his glory for you during your next visit!
Lovely, Reece. I haven’t seen either the Flat Rock Male or Tortoise Pan males in quite some time, so they were a welcome addition.
Thank you, Chelsea. They were certainly highlights for me too!