There has been a subtle shift in the air around Londolozi. While we are still very much in the heart of winter, the days feel as though they are slowly starting to warm up. Something that hasn’t changed, is the light. The crisp golden mornings and soft afternoon glows continue to make this time of year so special to be out in the bush.
Lions seem to be everywhere around Londolozi at the moment. In the west, the Mhangeni Pride have been keeping us entertained with their extremely cute and playful cubs. The Msuthlu Pride showed themselves once again along the southern boundary. A personal highlight this week was my first view of the new Kambula Cubs found around a warthog kill, and through it all, the Gijima Makes continue to have a strong hold.
On the leopard front, it has been a week of welcomed reunions. Both the Makomsava Female and Flat Rock Male, neither of whom I had seen for some time, made an appearance. The Shingi Male managed to hoist an impala into the most incredible appleleaf tree, and the Ximungwe Female continues to make finding her a challenge, although as always, it pays off when we do.
The pack of five wild dogs have been moving through Londolozi over the past week; we are all crossing fingers that the Alfa Female chooses to drop her pups here on Londolozi. The three Makathini sub-adults have also been providing us with some incredible viewing; we are savouring these moments that they are still together.
All in all, it has been another amazing week at Londolozi showcasing winter light in all its beauty.
As always, let us know which images stood out to you in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
A massive buffalo bull approaches us in search of water.
One of the Makathini Young Males resting while an elephant walks off in the background.
A group of hippo youngsters, contemplating going back in the water after warming up in the sun.
The Makomsava Female resting on a fallen tree before she continues her hunt.
The only surviving cub of the Nanga female, currently territorial northern Marthly. Currently denning north of boundary
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The Mhangeni Cubs watch the sub-adults playing in the distance.
The amount of dazzles around at the moment has been the most I have seen in years.
The Shingi Male descending the incredible apple leaf.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
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Later that afternoon, he decided to rest in the apple leaf with the impala.
After joining up with the rest of the pride, the Mhangeni Cubs couldn’t stop watching vultures circling behind our heads.
I managed to catch this Tawny Eagle while it was blinking the other morning, but this isn’t an eyelid as such; it is known as a nictitating membrane and also helps protect the eye.
The Ximungwe Female resting in a tamboti tree.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
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Two members of the pack of two on the hunt at sunset.
Two buffalo bulls fighting while the rest of the herd drinks. These confrontations are always immense.
The Flat Rock Male looking over the Sand River. I think it had been over a year since I had seen him.
Born 2013 Kruger, seized prime territory at young age. Strategic dominance led to successful lineage before current eastward shift.
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Watching these incredibly cute Kambula cubs trying to get some meat around that warthog was definitely my highlight this week.
Patrick Grealy
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