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The past few weeks at Londolozi have brought a wonderful mix of weather, with refreshing rains interspersed between beautifully warm summer days. The combination has breathed new life into the landscape, painting the bush in vibrant greens and energising wildlife across the reserve. Recent downpours have filled seasonal wallows and waterholes and have swelled the Sand River. At the same time, the sunshine in between has created those perfect conditions that make every game drive feel alive with possibility. This dynamic weather has brought the bush to life in spectacular fashion, and nowhere is this more evident than with the lions. The Gijima Males continue to assert their dominance across Londolozi, spending considerable time in the central regions of the reserve. They have certainly made their presence felt as their deep roars echo through the night, a powerful reminder of the captivating shift in lion dynamics.
The photographic opportunities have been exceptional as the bush has been teeming with life. The ever-changing weather has gifted us with a stunning variety of light – soft, diffused tones on overcast days, and those glorious moments when the sun breaks through dramatic storm clouds, bathing the landscape in golden morning and afternoon light. We have been particularly spoilt with an increase in sightings of the Maxim’s Male, whose elusive nature makes each encounter all the more special. A tender moment with the young male cub of the Nkuwa Female reminded us of the next generation coming through, while two elephant bulls jostling for dominance provided a powerful display of strength and behaviour. Adding to the week’s highlights was a very unique sighting of an African Scops Owl during the day—a rare treat that had everyone reaching for their cameras.
Let us know your favourites in the comments section below.
Enjoy This Week in Pictures…
The Gijima Males have ironically taken a particular liking to Carcass Clearing, a preferred spot of the former dominant coalition of the Ndzhenga Males.
Poetry in motion. The Nkoveni Female, perfectly poised, crawls through a clearing looking to capitalise on the vulnerability of the newest impala lamb arrivals.
Londolozi’s most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
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A special moment spent with the Nkuwa Young Male as he patiently waits his turn for his mother to finish feeding on their Impala ram carcass.
A very unique sighting of an African Scops Owl during the early hours of the afternoon. After this little owl began to call rather early on in the afternoon, we took an extra couple of moments to try and pinpoint exactly where the calls were coming from, turns out it was hiding in plain sight!
The Nkoveni Female, pauses for a moment before returning to feed on her kill.
As the light broke through the clouds, we had a very brief window to capture the Dark-maned Gijima Male before the clouds consumed the golden morning light once more.
The newly named Shingi Male began to yawn and stretch before descending a perfectly suited marula tree and disappearing into the thickets of a nearby drainage line.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
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Ranger Kate and Tracker Equaliser, taking advantage of the warm summer afternoons to do some birding at the causeway with their guests.
Perhaps my favourite shot of the week! The lighter-maned Gijima Male posed perfectly in the early morning light after tracker Geshom pulled off an unbelievable track and find!
Although I am very fond of trying to capture animals in their environment as I believe it adds to the storytelling aspect of photography, there is certainly always place for a regal portrait shot of a male Lion. Colour or Black & White?
Dappled light pears through a Tamboti tree grove, casting light onto a very full-bellied Maxim’s Male. I love the light of this shot as I feel it adds a degree of mystery to this large Tom, perfectly complementing his secretive and elusive nature.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
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Two large elephant bulls throw their weight around as they establish a dominance hierarchy between them.
A male cheetah scans his surroundings atop a fallen marula tree. A perfect setting to implement a high-key edit.
An overcast and rainy afternoon provided a moody backdrop to the Mhangeni Pride patrolling the open grasslands of the reserve.
A somewhat pregnant-looking Ximungwe Female takes a moment to rest atop a termite mount. It won’t be long now before we hopefully welcome the newest additions to the Leopards of Londolozi.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
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Á dwarf mongoose pup curiously investigates the vehicle as we pause to watch the antics of the rest of the business roaming around their burrows.
A very relaxed Verreaux’s Eagle Owl turns its attention to a slight rustle in the grass below it before flying off to its next perch.
The Xinkhova Female pauses whilst crossing the airstrip as the distant alarm calls of a herd of wildebeest catch her attention.
Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation’s dominant female.
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A moody black & white edit of the Three Rivers Female pausing from the safety of a weeping boer bean tree after narrowly escaping a group of charging hyenas.
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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A low-angle shot of the Dark-maned Gijima Male patrolling during the golden morning light in search of his brother.
A nyala bull in a dominance display using ‘pilo-erection’ to posture against a rival bull.
A crash of White Rhino ushered one of the four Nwasitshaka Males away from the edge of Makhotini Dam.
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Reece Biehler
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