After days of rain, there’s nothing quite like seeing the sun break through again. The bush feels lighter, fresher, and full of possibility. This week’s Virtual Safari reflects that feeling perfectly, a slow return to movement, exploration, and those quiet moments that make the wilderness so special.
We began the morning on foot with expert tracker Freddy, following the course of a flowing stream in search of a leopard. Leopards are masters of concealment, but if there’s anyone who can find one in thick cover, it’s Freddy. After some patient walking, we were rewarded with a sighting of the Shingi Male, found on foot in an area tricky to access with a vehicle. We left Bryce and his guests to enjoy the moment while we headed back to the vehicle, keen to see what else the day might offer.
Not far along the way, the bush delivered one of its smallest surprises: the tiniest leopard tortoise I’ve ever seen, no bigger than the face of my watch. A reminder that after the rain, life emerges in all shapes and sizes.
The Msuthlu Pride has been treating us incredibly well of late, often found lounging on the Londolozi airstrip. This morning, they were in full rest mode, soaking up the warmth, until a small group of impala briefly stirred their interest. The Gijima Males, who seem to have developed a fondness for the airstrip themselves, made another appearance, and we certainly weren’t complaining.
We finished the drive with a peaceful scene of elephants feeding on lush green shoots before crossing the airstrip. It was only then that I realised the true impact of all that rain — as my lenses began fogging up, protesting the moisture they’d endured over the past weeks. A timely reminder that the bush takes its toll on everything out here, cameras included.
A varied, textured Virtual Safari — from foot tracking to tiny tortoises, lions, elephants, and a bit of behind-the-scenes reality to wrap it all up.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
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Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
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on Leopards On Foot and Tiny Tortoises | Virtual Safari #307