This week unfolded as a combination of big and small moments and encounters – elephants drifting across the airstrip, zebra stallions sparring, wild dog pups filling the clearings with their irresistible energy and quieter moments focusing on the vibrant summer birdlife.
The leopards, as ever, shaped the rhythm of our drives. From the Maxim’s Male draped confidently in a Riverthorn, to the Ngungwe Female scaling a jackalberry with athletic ease, to the Shingi Male and Hlambela Male in all their glory. Even the Nkoveni Female ventured far beyond her usual comforts, seeking neighbouring males, reminding us that a new chapter awaits her in the new year.
Predators and scavengers threaded through the week in equal measure: in-between the mating we’ve seen recently, the Tsalala Lioness rests on the bank of the Sand River, hyenas loiter under hoisted kills knowing that a free meal is hopefully on the cards, and even a bold young hyena curiously tests its luck with a wild dog.
It was a week of vivid contrasts — bold displays of dominance, quiet moments of watching, and the kind of chance sightings that make summer at Londolozi so memorable.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy this week in pictures…
The Maxim’s Male climbed this beautiful Riverthorn tree and lay on the branch.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
In perfect summer light, we set out for an afternoon drive and immediately bumped into a beautiful herd of elephants crossing a clearing by our airstrip.
The Tsalala Female Lioness has been spending time near our camp and around the river, making herself heard as she looks for potential dominant males to mate with.
This group of White-faced Whistling Ducks were surrounded by a huge herd of buffalo.
The pups of the Toulon Pack playing with one another. We have been fortunate to have the wild dogs spotted on our property recently!
This young, curious hyena came up to this adult wild dog before being chased away by the growl of the wild dog.
One of the Msuthlu Young Females glances in our direction as they slowly awaken from a day’s rest, huddled together under shade in an open clearing.
The moment before the Ngungwe Female climbed up the trunk of the jackalberry.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
Two stallions tussle with one another in perfect afternoon light.
Same image, closer perspective and in black and white. I like the high-key background and unusual expressions of the zebra.
The lush tones of the jackalberry bring out the green hues of the Shingi Male as he scans his surroundings.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
After briefly splashing in the water, this tiny Malachite Kingfisher perched on a stick.
From the same sighting as earlier, the Maxims Male posed perfectly for all of us as he showed off his dominant demeanour. We’ve had more sightings of this male over the last few months, and it has been a great treat observing him more relaxed around our vehicles.
After the Ngungwe Female finished feeding on her kill, she climbed down the tree the same way she went up.
Three lurking hyenas wait directly underneath a hoisted impala kill. While Maxims Male & Shingi Male lay in the tree above, these hyenas patiently waited for any free share in any falling meat.
We found the Nkoveni Female walking across a clearing to the east of our camps, walking away from the Sand River. Very far out of her normal territory, we presumed she was on her way back from venturing out her territory in search of potential males that she’ll look to mate with over the next few months.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A Greater Blue-earred Starling collects impala fur from a termite mound, hopping around underneath the Xinkhova Female in the tree above with a kill. Many birds are nesting at this time of year, and what an opportunistic moment for this starling, collecting fallen fur!
The Hlambela Male yawns while lying on a boulder as he readjusts his resting position.
An impressive male, appearing as a rising force in the north. Making a name for himself by pushing other males out.
Glancing up at the carcass suspended above, hyenas are such incredible patient animals that will sit around waiting for days for a mere morsel.
The Hlambela Male is certainly stealing a few hearts with sightings of him becoming more regular.
And we can certainly say that, nobody is complaining. Hopefully we see him shift his territory further south and find him around the Londolozi Camps, wouldn’t that be amazing?
Hi Kate, what an imposing beginning of this edition, exactly like the end! Big cats and birds are the ones that immediately caught the eye sight and leave you in awe, the black-and-white picture of the zebra stallion is one in a million. And the ducks surrounded by buffalo, minions and big ones! So cute. A special picture. The Singi male is your definite poser, he’s unique, born to be a star! The Nkoveni and the Tsalala female catch the foreground with their unique beauty and unbelievable mythical stories…. against all odds. I am in between the stallion picture and the Shingi male for their perfection… black-and-white in black-and-white, green in green…
Hi Kate, the new male leopard, the Hlambela male is a gorgeous male and can only be an advantage to the Londolozi female leopards. Mating with him can bring in new blood and off course new cubs, which we love to view. The Maxim’s male is such a stunning leopard and so huge. Off course the hyenas are always round to try and get a piece of the kill. Love the image of the Tsalala female, my favorite lioness. She has been through so much, I hope for her to get pregnant again and have cubs and raise them to adulthood. Lovely image of the stunning little Malachite Kingfisher.
Finding the stare down between the young hyena and wild dog is pretty cool! Love that Hlambela Male resting his chin on the boulder too…such cute shot 🙂
Dear Kate, wonderful TWIP with nice impressions of the leopards. Love the black and white shot of the zebras
Thanks, Kate, for this beautiful collection of photos.
The pretty birds, the big yawn of the Hlambela male, all my other favourite leopards plus the Tsalala female – what a treat! Not to forget the zebras, the hyenas and wild dogs and the beautiful elephants. Londolozi’s animals at their best.
I definitely see the verdant signs of summer in your photos today, noting the contrasts between the animals and their surroundings. There are so many outstanding pictures this week that selecting was difficult, but a few stood out for me. Favorites begin with portraits of Maxims, Hlambela and Shingi leopards, followed by the little Malachite Kingfisher, Tsalala female, b/w zebras sparring, and the Wild dog pups playing. All in all, fantastic images Kirst and Kate!!
I love these images, Kate and Kirst (sounds like law firm!). The yawn of the Hlambela male, the anticipatory energy of Ngungwe’s leap, the arrogant power stare of Maxim’s – impressive captures, making me wish I’d been there too. Thank you!
Wonderful TWIP Kate, thank you. As always, hard to choose a favourite, but the leopards have it. The most amazing photo for me is the Hlambela male yawning on the rock, followed by Ngungwe descending the tree.
Absolute love the Kingfisher photo this week – And the Yawning leopard is Unique.. I almost looks like he is going to fall off.
Kate, Thanks for the great update and gorgeous images! It’s so cool to see so many leopards. Hoping to get to know the new Hlambela Male a little better as he hopefully ventures further south!