Jess Shillaw

Guest contributor

Jess was born in Kwazulu/Natal but grew up in Cape Town. Having an innate love for all things wild but getting to spend little time in the bush while growing up, she headed straight for the Lowveld after school. She completed a guiding course and spent a year guiding in the Sabi Sand Reserve. It was during this time that she realised that Londolozi was the place she really wanted to be, and in 2018 she successfully completed the Londolozi Guide Selection Course.

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Stories by Jess

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The Biological Strategy of Nature

Jess Shillaw April 4, 2024 6

Biomimicry always seems like a bit of a tongue-tie for me and if you do not really see through a scientific lens it may seem daunting. After hearing Rob Janisch …

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The Story of the Leadwood Tree

Jess Shillaw March 13, 2024 13

In the vast expanse of nature’s wisdom, where every leaf whispers a story and each tree stands as a sentinel of time, a deep truth reveals itself: the boundless vitality …

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Unveiling The Fascinating Realm Of Wild Dogs Voting System

Jess Shillaw February 6, 2024 13

Have you ever wondered how African wild dogs coordinate their activities, especially before embarking on a hunt? Wild dogs employ a myriad of vocalizations and non-vocal signals to communicate within …

Wildlife

Is This The Start of a New Coalition?

Jess Shillaw January 8, 2024 12

coalition noun a temporary alliance for combined action, especially of political parties forming a government. In the context of lions and other social big cats, a coalition refers to a …

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The Week in Pictures #626

Jess Shillaw December 8, 2023 2 17

This is now the time of year that the regrowth of the bush escalates. We have had some rain and now with the warm humid weather the grass shoots up …

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A Poem About My Love For Painted Dogs

Jess Shillaw December 4, 2023 12

Many guests arrive at Londolozi eager to see the Big 5 (lions, leopards, buffalos, elephants, and rhinos). However, there is such a variety of animals in the Sabi Sands that …

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The Healing Powers of Plants: Part Two

Jess Shillaw November 28, 2023 7

In my previous blog, I wrote about the healing power of a few plants that I have learned about during my time at Londolozi. This is only a tiny percentage …

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The Healing Powers of Plants

Jess Shillaw November 2, 2023 6

In today’s world, there are countless streams of information at our fingertips informing you on the newest miracle cream to avoid ageing, new fads, wonder diets and opinions on how …

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The Week In Pictures #617

Jess Shillaw October 6, 2023 4 17

This week was full of rare sightings for me. In the over five years of working here at Londolozi, this week was the first time I saw mating crocodiles, or …

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Two Leopards, A Warthog & A Hyena

Jess Shillaw October 2, 2023 2 12

Many guests have been fortunate enough to see many different habituated leopards at Londolozi, it is almost guaranteed that every guest who stays at Londolozi will see at least one …

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A Sunset With The White-fronted Bee-eaters: Where Do They Go As The Sun Sets?

Jess Shillaw August 1, 2023 1 9

The Sand River is the life blood of the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, but more so than providing for the abundance of wildlife the scenery is spectacular. There is a …

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The Week In Pictures #607

Jess Shillaw July 28, 2023 5 18

Many questions have been flying around the Rangers’ Room this week… Where is the Ntomi Male? Where will the young male cheetah be next? What is happening with the females …

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The Dedication of a Mother Lioness

Jess Shillaw July 5, 2023 13

The Ntsevu Lionesses’ stories have been told by many rangers in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve for many years. It is said that they are possibly some of the biggest …

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The Amazing Month Of May- My Highlights

Jess Shillaw June 3, 2023 2 6

May in the bush or Lowveld is usually the time of transition. Everything starts to transform from its summer forms into its winter ones. Whether it is the towering cumulus …

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The Coconut Scented Sage: Why Do Plants Smell?

Jess Shillaw May 18, 2023 6

Imagine a plant that smells like the perfect combination of spicy sage and fresh coconut. Well, on the open crests of the rolling hills at Londolozi, you might be lucky …

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