I thought it’s time for another edition of looking through my photographic archives (in a similar vein to previous blogs I wrote in October last year and February this year).
As mentioned in my October blog, when we’re out exploring the reserve each and every day, days roll into one another and a sense of time can blur… so, taking a moment to scroll through the archives is a great way to pause, reflect, and remember which animals we were spending time with at this point over the various winter seasons I have shared at Londolozi.
July 2026
The cutest rhino calf in our open grassland has totally stolen my heart this July!
The Makhathini Female cheetah is back and exploring all parts of Londolozi, enjoying her newfound independence having successfully raised her previous litter. It’s an exciting time knowing that she could be found anywhere from the usual open grasslands to the south eastern crests while tracking lion or leopard.
The Makhathini young males are also back in our south-western parts of the property. We spent an amazing afternoon with them resting, exploring the open grasslands, finding a place for a drink, and then losing them as they ran out of sight after getting chased by an elephant.
The impressive Ntsevu Pride at first light, feeding on a zebra they must’ve killed only 5 minutes before we drove in. These moments are rare to witness, and truly remind us of the brutal side of nature. But, even in that, it is simply remarkable that we are able to have front-row seats bearing witness to moments like this.
July 2025
A rare sighting of the Stonedrift Female spotted in the south-eastern parts of Londolozi one afternoon in July last year. Having watched her and her sister (Xinkhova Female) being raised to independence in 2022, spotting her on our side 3 years later was an exciting discovery.
Born 2021, larger daughter of Nkoveni. Successfully established territory in Mala Mala and now raising her first litter east of Londolozi.
A memorable scene watching two male wildebeest fight while totally oblivious to a herd of elephant approaching the nearby waterhole.
The Talamati Male Lion on our airstrip, making himself heard.
The Three Rivers Female tried multiple times to hoist this large impala ram kill in a tough Tamboti Tree, eventually succeeding and showing a young Tinxiya Female how it’s done. I just love this image of the last afternoon light perfectly cast on her face as she planned her route up the tree.
July 2024
Winter 2024 was also when we last had wild dogs denning on Londolozi. We were lucky to have a few months of winter with regular sightings of wild dog pups following the remarkable wild dog saga that unfolded between two packs.
Lion cubs were everywhere. One of the Ntsevu Lionessses with her 4 cubs. Of the two litters in 2024, only 3 cubs survived to adulthood, which is who we see today in the Ntsevu Pride. In 2026, we have started to see the Ntsevu Lionesses mating with the Gijima Males, signalling a new generation to come in the future…?
Nkoveni Female and a young Shingi Male. Most of the 2024 winter, we were absolutely blessed with sightings of the Nkoveni Female in another phase of motherhood, raising the next generation of leopards.
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.
July 2023
An iconic scene of our Sand River at Finfoot Crossing – a saddle-billed stork and elephant drinking. Given our 2026 rainfall, we have not using this river crossing this year yet!
Talamati Breakaway Lionesses (now known as the Msuthlu Pride) popped up one morning on our airstrip vocalising and posing in the morning light. Little did we know that two years later they would be back in central Londolozi with the next generation now called the Msuthlu Pride.
The elusive Nsuku Male. Back when he was being raised by the Three Rivers Female on Londolozi, he was one of my favourite leopards to spend time with.
Born 2021, son of Three Rivers Female. Once playful cub turned skittish post independence. Striking gold 'nsuku' coat.
0 Comments
on A Look Back In Time – July