Pete Thorpe

Alumni Ranger

Pete was a Field Guide for Londolozi for 4 years, contributing to the blog as a fantastic writer as well as photographer. Right from his very first bush trip at the age of four, Pete was always enthralled by this environment. Having grown up in the Middle East, Pete’s home-away-from-home has always been a bungalow in the Greater Kruger National Park, where his family had a house – a place that to this day lies close to his heart.
This exposure from a young age instilled a curiosity within him that drove him to study a masters in conservation ecology, a journey which saw him monitoring wild dogs in Kwa-Zulu Natal and managing student researchers in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

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Stories by Pete

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Mhangeni Lioness Carries Cub to Meet Pride

Pete Thorpe December 10, 2020 28

Driving through the open savannah in the south-western part of Londolozi, I was surprised when we spotted a single lioness walking with intent, a few hundred metres ahead of us. …

Lions Wildlife

A Jovial Herd of Elephants

Pete Thorpe November 28, 2020 17

It was the sound of trumpeting that drew our attention. Often when encountering a predator, herds of elephants with young calves will trumpet, squeal and rumble loudly in agitation. As …

Featured Safari Experience Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #466

Pete Thorpe November 20, 2020 23

The week of the Woodland Kingfisher! In 2019, our records state that the first one was seen on 16th November. This year, it was Thursday 19th November that the first …

The Week in Pictures Wildlife

The First Impala Lamb for 2020!

Pete Thorpe November 10, 2020 18

Every year we anticipate certain events – the first rains, the first migratory birds etc. One of the biggest events though, is the arrival of the first impala lamb. Some …

General Nature Wildlife

Fresh Crab For Breakfast

Pete Thorpe November 5, 2020 13

The causeway that crosses the Sand River is always a hive of activity. It is essential to take a slow drive across and spend more than a few minutes scanning …

General Nature Wildlife

Wild Dogs And Leopard Interrupt Our Morning Coffee

Pete Thorpe October 21, 2020 24

Appreciating a good cup of coffee in the bush is a key component of any morning game drive. Every now and then though, we are forced to abandon our coffee, …

Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #461

Pete Thorpe October 16, 2020 19

First up, the answer to yesterday’s Bird ID Challenge… It was a Lappet-faced Vulture. It was a tough one as there are a number of big brown birds flying around …

Featured Photography The Week in Pictures Wildlife

The Ingenious Defence Of A Tiny Bird

Pete Thorpe September 26, 2020 40

It’s a tough life out here in the wild. Eat or get eaten. That’s pretty much the daily synopsis for 99% of the species (I’d say elephants don’t stress too …

Birds Wildlife

Second, First View of Wild Dog Pups on Londolozi

Pete Thorpe September 19, 2020 34

I say “Second, first view of wild dog puppies“ as back in May we were treated to some incredible views of Londolozi’s first wild dog den in a decade. It’s been …

Featured Wild Dogs Wildlife

Are The Northern Avoca Male Lions Looking For More Territory?

Pete Thorpe September 12, 2020 32

James Tyrrell recently summarised the general lion dynamics on Londolozi. The male lion dynamics of the Sabi Sands have drawn special attention over the years, particularly during the reign of …

Lions Wildlife

At Last – A Great Sighting Of The Tsalala Lioness And Cub

Pete Thorpe September 3, 2020 28

We have had the odd glimpse of the Tsalala female and her youngster, however nothing to write home about. I personally haven’t seen the two of them since prior to …

Featured Lions Wildlife

Makomsava Female Carries Her Cubs To New Den

Pete Thorpe August 27, 2020 1 21

It is just days since we discovered the den in which the Makomsava female was hiding her cubs. The view was tricky, to say the least. If the mother was …

Featured Leopards Wildlife

Impala Waterbuck And Giraffe Pt2020 6990

A Single Day On Safari in August

Pete Thorpe August 24, 2020 1 32

Life has been a bit different during lockdown for us rangers. Normally we have a vehicle with up to six guests and a tracker on the front. At the moment …

General Nature Safari Experience Wildlife

The Week in Pictures #453

Pete Thorpe August 21, 2020 27

The big news this week is that the Makomsava female has given birth to her first litter in the northern parts of Londolozi. She is using a rocky outcrop that …

Photography The Week in Pictures Wildlife

The Great Return

Pete Thorpe August 15, 2020 32

As much as international travel is still limited, there are some guests that we have noticed returning to Londolozi. The first I noticed arrived from somewhere between Finland and Western …

Birds Wildlife