Another week has come and gone at Londolozi, and for me, this was the week that summer truly announced itself. We have been blessed with substantial rain this and life is popping out of everywhere. The bush feels refreshed after the deluge. The summer rains allowed for some interesting photographic opportunities this past week due to the dramatic skies accompanied by sunrises and sunsets.
Lion activity continues to keep us on the edge of our seats. Although they haven’t announced themselves fully yet, four young male lions who we believe to be the Nwaswitshaka Coalition, continue to pop up along the southern parts of Londolozi. I’m really hoping that they make a name for themselves in this area. They are incredibly beautiful lions and have a lot of potential to succeed.
On the leopard front, The Three Rivers Female hasn’t been seen with her daughter for a while now. We could witness her searching for a new mate in the next couple of weeks now that she’s fulfilled her motherly duties. The Maxims Male, (Dare I say it) seems to be relaxing with our presence as he allowed us to view him in relatively close proximity fairly frequently this past week. The Nottens Male has been seen exploring the areas west our our camps. This area hasn’t had a dominant male moving through it since Senegal Bush Male. Showing signs of maturing into a big male, we are hoping he takes advantage of this opportunity. The Shingi Male, who has recently become independent, continues to provide us with incredible viewing.
The Toulon Pack is back with their pups! We have been viewing them more frequently now that the pups are moving with the pack. With all the rain, the elephants have been everywhere you look, while the bird life is teeming in and around the river with the abundance of water.
Let us know your favourite pictures in the comments below.
Enjoy This Week In Pictures…
Forced into early independence at 11 months. Despite her small size, she’s proven resilient, currently raising a cub in SE Londolozi.
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Dorence ran up a termite mound to see what the Impala were alarming at while having a drink.
The Shingi Male attempting to hunt some impala.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
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Resting in the clearings after an unsuccessful hunt.
A mother elephant and her calf move through the fast-flowing Sand River.
A Hyena Cub watches the other youngsters playing around our vehicle.
The Maxims Male allows us to spend some time with him. We savour these moments. He is incredibly impressive.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
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A Giraffe Feeding as the sun sets.
One of the other males walks straight towards our vehicle.
A Pied Kingfisher perched along the Sand River.
One of the Toulon Pack’s pups being inquisitive.
One of the adults was watching the pups in the distance.
An impala ram takes a moment to look at as after sparring with the other male.
The Nottens Male searching through new territories.
Born 2021, mirrors father Nweti’s presence. Young force showing remarkable confidence while navigating nomadic phase in southern territories
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Let’s hope he manages to make the west of camp his first territorial area.
Patrick Grealy
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