As June draws to a close, winter has firmly established itself across the reserve. The mornings now arrive with a distinct chill, often requiring an extra layer or two as we set out before first light. Yet with the colder temperatures comes one of the great rewards of this time of year. The spectacular sunrises and sunsets that seem to grow more vibrant with each week that passes. Soft pastel hues give way to fiery oranges and deep reds, painting the sky above the bush and providing photographers with endless inspiration.
What makes this season feel particularly unique, however, is the lingering impact of the exceptional rainfall received earlier in the year. Despite being well into the dry season, much of the reserve remains surprisingly green, with pockets of lush vegetation still scattered throughout the landscape.
The wildlife continued to deliver unforgettable moments this week. From many awesome encounters with lions and leopards, to the quieter scenes that so often define life in the wilderness, this week’s collection of images captures just a small glimpse of the stories unfolding across the reserve each day. And believe it or not, most of which we will never get to see.
I hope you enjoy this selection of photographs. Let me know what your favourites are in the comments!
The dark-maned Gijima male walks across an open crest whilst being lit up by the soft morning light.
The Makomsava Female glances up at her hoisted impala carcass moments before she leapt up into the upper branches to go and feed.
The only surviving cub of the Nanga female, currently territorial northern Marthly. Currently denning north of boundary
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A very tiny rhino calf, only days old. This little calf and its mother are very relaxed around vehicles and have been providing some incredible viewing recently.
A herd of elephant come down for a late morning drink at Shingilana Dam.
A large clan of hyenas try to pack together to intimidate and drive off the Ntsevu pride from the area early one morning. Unfortunately for them, they were unsuccessful.
The Tinxiya female, treed by a pack of wild dogs, uses the opportunity to rest in the upper branches of a leadwood tree.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
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Before the sun disappeared up into the clouds, we quickly used the opportunity to photograph a lone impala ram silhouetted by the beautiful morning light.
Another successful afternoon down in the south western parts of the reserve searching for the white zebra foal. She seems to be very healthy and is currently doing incredibly well.
An inquisitive young rhino calf keeps a watchful eye on us whilst its mother has a late afternoon drink.
We used this opportunity to take some black and white photographs of this male cheetah on a drizzly, overcast morning.
One of the majestic Plains Camp males. A true powerhouse predator.
Two wild dogs chase each other around in the soft sand before beginning to settle up for the day.
A long afternoon search proved to be fruitful as we got to spend the last moments of daylight with the Tinxiya Female. We were just about to call it a day. We rounded the next corner and there she was.
We could hear lions roaring north of the river whilst having our morning tea and coffee. We wasted no time in getting to the area and we were rewarded with a magical sunrise scene and the Nkuhuma breakaways.
A martial eagle takes flight from the top of a very tall dead leadwood tree.
Two youngsters of the Munghen pride snuggle up to one another.
What an incredible sighting this was for us. We were able to spend the morning with the three Makatini sub-adult cheetah after not seeing them for months. We are thrilled that all of them are still alive and thriving.
The Styx male and the Kambula female have been spending a lot of time around our camps lately.
The Makomsava Female rests in a large marula tree.
The Nkoveni female strops her claws into the trunk of a fallen Weeping wattle tree. This helps shed dead nail husks and stretch their muscles.
Londolozi’s most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
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This zebra stallion stood in the middle of the road for a couple minutes before eventually deciding to move off.
One of the Plains Camp males on a territorial patrol.
The youngsters of the two Kambula females run to come and greet their mothers after they returned from a hunt.
The Tinxiya female keeps a very watchful eye on a lioness from the Ntsevu pride from the safety of a leadwood tree. She was moving through the area with one of the Gijima males.
Matt Rochford
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