The Week In Pictures #585 – Londolozi Blog

It has been a jam-packed week of many incredible sightings, particularly of lions! A number of different prides have been seen around the reserve; including some that we have not been seen for a while. The Ntsevu lionesses and Ndhzenga males have been spending a lot of time in the open clearings, and we have continued to see a number of different Ntsevu cubs enjoying time with their mothers and the males.

The Tsalala Female was seen late one afternoon with a surprising gash on her eyebrow, and the Styx Pride have unexpectedly been frequenting the central parts of Londolozi.

One particular morning, the Styx Pride was found right outside camp on the airstrip finishing off a zebra kill, surrounded by more than 20 hyena. The dynamics of this sighting intensified when two lionesses from the Nkuhuma Pride arrived at the scene in the hopes of trying to get a portion of the meal. Keep an eye out for the full story on this coming next week.

With the recent heavy rains, the reserve’s water holes are full to the brim and there has been a rejuvenated energy of life (big and small) seen in these areas on every drive. One particular afternoon a herd of elephant entertained us for ages as they fully submerged themselves in the water.

On the leopard front, the Ntomi Male has equally been enjoying the refilled water holes and was seen hunting catfish and resting at a nearby water hole.

Robbie and I have had a lot of fun putting this week’s images together, let us know your favourites in the comment section below.

Enjoy this Week in Pictures…

Play time! Could there be a more perfect toy than the tip of dad’s tail?

One of the remaining three males of the Ndzhenga coalition walks towards one of his brothers to rest in the shade.

The Ntomi Male has frequently been seen at this same waterhole. It has been amazing to watch him attempt to prey upon catfish in the shallows, behaviour that is fairly typical of young male leopard.

Sometimes its the things looks slightly out of place that catches one’s attention. The tail of the Ntomi male hanging from the branch of a marula tree being the drawcard in this case.

Splish, splash, taking a bath. There was no real harmful intent displayed between these young elephant bulls, I believe it was more a case of play fighting whilst being submerged in water (of which there is plenty at the moment!)

Upon finding the Tsalala lioness it was evident from a fresh wound and tracks of other lions in the area that she had come into contact with lions from another pride. The trials of being the last remaining lioness of her pride continue…

A white backed vulture perched in the late afternoon sun pointed us in the direction of the Tsalala lioness that had been feeding on the remains of an impala lamb carcass

A lioness from the Styx pride gazes towards the rest of her family before they set off on their evening activities.