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This past week has been a tapestry of sightings of Leopards, Lions and Elephants. The birding has also been fantastic with the arrival of the last remaining migratory species. There is much excitement with the birth of several impala lambs, which has resulted in a drastic increase in predatory activity across the reserve.
Leopard sightings have been consistently remarkable, featuring the Three Rivers Young Male, The Xinkohva Female, The Ntomi Male and the Senegal Bush Male. However, the highlight was a magnificent scene witnessing the Three Rivers Female remove a partially eaten impala from a leadwood tree and then drag it several meters to tamboti tree, where she hoisted it again, right in front of us!
On the Lion front – many prides and coalitions have graced our presence abundantly, with highlights including the formidable Skorro Male, The Nkuhuma Pride resting on a termite mound, the exciting Ntsevu Breakaway Pride, growing very big week after week, and the vigilant dominant Ndzhenga Coalition patrolling their territorial boundaries, occasionally venturing north of the Sand River.
The week also brought mesmerizing spectacles, including elephants gracefully drinking water and crossing the Sand River, lion cubs from the Mhangeni Pride, a brief appearance from the Othawa Pack of Wild Dogs and dancing zebras added a delightful finale to the week’s adventures.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
One of two cubs to survive, the sister lost at five months. Still dependent on his mother, but is growing into an impressive young male.
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We had a beautiful sighting of the Nkuhuma Pride sitting on a termite mound in stunning afternoon light. The younger female beautifully crossed her paws and I couldn’t resist snapping the moment.
An African Painted Dog pup takes a break after the Ottawa pack’s successful morning hunt. This specific pack of Painted Dogs hasn’t been seen on the reserve for a while so it was a real delight to spend some time with them.
A 6 month old lion cub from the Mungheni Pride yawns on a warm summers morning.
We spent an entire afternoon with the shy but very beautiful Xinkhova Female. One of the daughters of the Nkoveni Female, she is now completely independent and has been spending most of her time in the Maxebene Riverbed South East of Camp. It’s been great to watch her develop from a young cub into an adult Leopard.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
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The Regal Senegal Bush Male scans his surroundings from an ideal vantage point above our Land Rover.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
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A member of the Ntsevu Males poses beautifully in the golden morning hews. He is among four young male lions, each holding great potential to become the future rulers of the Sabi Sands
A young Elephant curiously looked up at us as the rest of the herd disappeared into the Sand River.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female’s second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
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Elephants have been spending a lot of time refreshing themselves during the recent hot summer days.
This was a special sighting finding a leopard in a Lead wood Tree. The Three Rivers female hoisted an impala high up in the tree and then decided to bring it down after a Bateleur Eagle began feeding on the carcass.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
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One of the Ntsevu Males fixes a piercing gaze in our direction. He is among four young male lions, each holding great potential to become the future rulers of the Sabi Sands.
She graciously manoeuvred the kill through the dense branches of the Leadwood tree and then leaped to the floor clutching the impala in her jaws. It was incredible to see her carry it nearly 200 meters to a Tamboti Tree in the Maxebene Riverbed.
The impressive Skorro Male has been seen often lately and heard roaring consistently through the nights near camp. He is trying to establish himself on Londolozi, albeit amongst some serious Male lion competition.
Two playful young Elephant bulls were very entertaining as they muscled each other for dominance.
The Young female Ntsevu lioness that is still hanging around with her brothers. They are an excellent group of lions which bring much excitement on game drive. Only time will tell whether she decides to leave her breakaway pride and return to the Ntsevu’s.
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Nick Tennick
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