This week in pictures delivers a powerful mix of movement, tension, and landscapes. The pack of two wild dogs ranged widely, their restless energy leading them to encounter elephants, hunt an impala lamb and rest on the warm airstrip. We have witnessed elephants wading across swollen rivers as well as bird action, adding a flash of colour and intrigue.
While the dominant Maxim’s Male Leopard scent-marked through his large territory, another leopard was seen in a tree with a hoisted carcass, this time, the Xinkhova Female. On countless occasions, she had returned to an area near Tree Camp, where we thought she might have a den site, but now we know she has moved her cubs elsewhere.
The lion action was as follows: The Gijima Males and Ntsevu lionesses hinted at shifting dynamics as we witnessed them patrolling near the northern section of the Sand River. Potentially indicating that pride is ready to have another litter of cubs. And the Dark-maned Gijima Male was seen mating with the Nkuhuma Breakaway Female; this is intriguing news. This Coalition shows no signs of moving away.
The ever-charming male cheetah reminded us of life on the edge. All of the following imagery unfolded against breathtaking backdrops, where changing light and open spaces elevated each moment into something unforgettable. The days are getting shorter, and the shadows are lingering as we slip closer to the golden hues of autumn.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy the Week in Pictures!
The mist rolling out of the Sand River valley at dawn can take your breath away.
The Nstevu lioness stands side by side with the Blonde-maned Gijima Male.
This was a special moment as the clouds burst with a sunbeam, highlighting a giraffe in the open landscape.
An unlikely standoff between the largest and one of the rarest mammals at Londolozi.
I had a rare chance to get this snap of a stunning Glossy Ibis fishing in the shallows.
A male cheetah peeks his head out of a thick bush where he had stashed an impala kill late in the afternoon. This is an unusual terrain for this type of predator as they prefer chasing their prey down in open spaces.
The Xinkhova Female Leopard elegantly jumps down the limbs of a tree at dawn. She had killed and hoisted an impala in the upper canopy, and we snapped her leaving before the sunrise.
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
A stunning Malachite Kingfisher takes flight over the Sand River with a light ‘catch’ its beak.
A spectacular scene of a full moon and some elephants
The striking Maxim’s Male striding through the summer grasslands.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
There’s nothing quite as captivating as watching a big male leopard walk past your vehicle and then scent-mark on a bush near the road. The smell of buttered popcorn then drifts in the air around you.
An African wild dog, very sure of itself, rests briefly in the wide open spaces of the Londolozi Airstrip. This always creates an interesting and ‘contrasting’ wildlife photograph.
This shot is one of my favourites as I had little time to prepare for the quick-moving family of elephants crossing the flowing Sand River.
And then some pictures are just lucky… a Praying Mantis becomes lunch for a quick-thinking Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill.
The same sighting as Sean’s from last week, the charming Male Cheetah stares out over the open grasslands of Londolozi in all his glory.
A rare sighting of a Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird floating up to feed on the berries of a tree.
The Dark-maned Gijima Male pulls an amusing face while courting a lioness nearby; this is his Flehmen Grimace, detecting the hormone content of the female’s urine.
And last but not least, A beautiful scene taking in the wonder of this magical place. A herd of impala graze nearby and the golden sunset marks the end of another magical day on Safari
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on TWIP #748