This week’s TWIP comes to you with a distinctly festive feel as the Christmas season settles over the bushveld. While families gather, holidays are celebrated, and the pace of life slows, the wilderness on Londolozi Game Reserve continues with its own timeless rhythm. Warm summer days, long evenings, and the chorus of the bush create the perfect backdrop for a season rooted in connection.
As we reflect on the past week, we’re reminded of how special this time of year is in the wilderness. From intense predator sightings to peaceful moments between Impala lambs and their mothers, herds of elephants, a pack of energetic African Painted dogs and flocks of ox peckers on their hosts, the bush offers its own celebration of life, family, and continuity. It’s a privilege to share these moments with you during this festive season, surrounded by the extraordinary wildlife that calls this place home.
The leopard activity has been brilliant, with many magical moments of leopards in trees. The Tinxiya female was seen in a Jackalberry tree, the Shingi Male climbed a Marula tree in a very playful mood, and the Ngungwe Female was sniffing around the canopy of a large marula tree in the North. The Three Rivers Female was also seen vocalising intensely and we suspect she may be seeking out a mate.
The lion activity has seen the Gijima Males moving and mating with several females on the reserve, including the Tsalala Female and two members of the Kambula Pride.
Let us know which images are your favourites in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
After watching another leopard climb a tree, this time the Shingi male, he jumped from branch to branch before settling down on a comfortable limb.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
The blonde maned Gijima Male is seen resting in a clearing after a long patrol of scent marking and roaring.
The Three Rivers Female was found on foot by tracker, Joy. He heard her rasping several times – an indication that she may be looking for a territorial male to begin mating again.
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she's proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
This was an epic discovery of two fairly rare birds for the region. The stunning African Spoonbill is wading through the water looking for food and the Glossy Ibis in the back ground.
The Tsalala Lioness and Blonde Mane Gijima are performing the fascinating mating ritual.
Two bull elephants side across the Sand River.
The energy and playfulness of young African wild dogs is a pleasure to observe. There has been a great amount of sightings of them recently.
The play time continues as the adults in the pack begin to rest during the heat of the summer day.
The Ngungwe Female gives us a glance as she crosses the road in front of our landcover.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
A flock of Red-billed Oxpeckers dance around the back of a zebra in search of their next meal.
It was an exciting discovery to drive around the corner and spot the Tinxiya Female (Daughter of Three Rivers Female) resting in the fork of a stunning jackelberry tree
Watching a leopard climb a tree is a breathtaking experience. We were fortunate enough to watch the Ngungwe Female climb a large marula tree and explore the top canopy.
Two large bulls engaged it what appeared to be a dominance stand off. The large bull on the right hand side definitely was the bigger of the two and placed his trunk on the forehead of the other to impose his size and strength.
Once he was ready to get moving, the Shingi Male descended the tree but first took a break in the fork and provided us with more spectacular photography opportunities.
The Pack of wild dogs rose to attention after a herd of Impalas ran passed.
The wild dogs then jumped into action and chased the herd of impala towards the Sand River; however, the hunt was cut short when a dazzle of Zebra stood in their path.
An impressive kudu bull looks out to the horizon
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on The Week In Pictures #733