After a relatively dry patch with little rain, the heavens finally opened up and gave us some significant downpours. With Easter and Autumn around the corner, the rains couldn’t have come at a better time, allowing the water table to fill up again before we head into the drier winter months. This is my favourite time to be in the bush, the last bit of greenery still decorates each scene, we still get to see the migratory birds, tortoises are still active and the summer heat has begun to subside.
Leopard activity continues to meet the Londolozi standards.
Nkoveni Female has three cubs! We believe that they are a month or so younger than Ximungwes cubs. After initially being denned on our neighbour’s property, the Nkoveni Female has only recently brought them on to Londolozi. Seeing three cubs together was a first for me, exciting times lay ahead.
The Ximungwe Female is still keeping her cubs around the Maxebene, her relaxed nature is rubbing off on her cubs as we continue with the habitation process. In the North, The Tumbela Female continues to roam around the Manyalethi Riverbed, taking independence in her stride.
Lion Dynamics are as interesting as ever. The Kumbula Pride continue to dominate the southeastern parts of Londolozi. Their younger cubs are reaching an age now where they move with pride daily, keeping up with their movements through their large territory. The Ntsevu Males continue to move huge distances, at one point last week, we had tracks of them crossing south over our northern boundary and hours later finally finding them close towards our southern boundary. They are making a name for themselves, applying extra pressure on the Nkuhuma Young Males and the last remaining Avoca Male, who have also been spending time in the north.
The pack of three has been moving through Londolozi for the past couple of weeks, causing havoc everywhere they go. Following them one morning, they led us straight to a buffalo carcass that seemed to have died of natural causes. The vulture and hyena activity around the buffalo was incredible to see.
The general game and bird life have been relishing the extra rain we have received. These are special times at Londolozi and we are all taking in these last bits of summer before we head into the winter months.
Let me know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
After finding tracks of the Nkoveni Female the night before, heading into a drainage line near the Maxebene River and knowing that she has cubs, we decided to head straight there the following morning. As we approached the drainage line, we saw her laying up on the Tamboti tree, the excitement started to grow.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
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She let off a soft contact call and we could not believe our eyes when three cubs eventually came out to suckle. Something I had never seen before.
A very impressive Martial Eagle with a Dwarf Mongoose kill.
We Found the Ximungwe Female one afternoon on her way back to the den. What followed was breathtaking.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
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Leading us into a thicket close to where we found her, we were greeted with this sight. Her cubs are fast approaching 4 months and sightings seem to just keep getting better and better.
Both cubs were extremely playful while she slept under a bushwillow thicket.
One of the Nkuhuma Young Males quenches his thirst after a failed attempt at taking down a buffalo.
After a long tracking mission, basically across the entire length of the Londolozi property, we found the Ntsevu Males moments before they crossed our southern boundary.
An unhappy hyena would rather not share the carcass with the numerous vultures.
Born into a litter of two, male cub did not survive. She is seen more and more in central Marthly and rapidly approaching full independence.
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Two members of the pack of three paused moments before they notice the vultures in the distance.
Patrick Grealy
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