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And just like that, another week in the Londolozi wilderness has come and gone, more than a week into the year 2026. Time has a strange way of accelerating out here. The days feel slow and deliberate, yet weeks just vanish in the blink of an eye. The bush continues to move to its own rhythm, reminding us each day of how much life is packed into every sunrise and sunset.
The recent rains have breathed fresh energy into the reserve, and with it has come an unmistakable vibrancy. The mornings are alive with birdsong, while the afternoons carry that warm, humming stillness that only the bush can offer. This week has been rich in variety, from relaxed moments with lions to the smaller, often overlooked details that make time in the wild so rewarding.
One of the true highlights came in the form of a rare sighting of a Cape clawless otter moving quietly through the shallow channels of the Sand River, hunting for freshwater crabs. It was a reminder of just how much remains hidden from view. We also had an unforgettable moment of an African rock python crossing a dirt track directly in front of us. With this, it becomes clear that this past week delivered its fair share of magic. As always, there’s a little bit of everything, unexpected encounters, familiar faces, and scenes that will linger long after the dust has settled.
Below are a few snippets from another memorable week in the bush. Let me know which ones stood out for you.
Enjoy The Week in Pictures.
The Maxim’s Male Leopard rests beneath a large, shaded grove of tamboti trees during the heat of the late afternoon.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
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A Juvenile Martial Eagle perches on a dead knob-thorn tree. This particular individual can be seen throughout southern Marthly and has been around for a couple yof ears. It takes roughly 5-7 years to develop their adult plumage.
The Ximungwe Female Leopard makes use of a small termite mound to rest, but to also survey her surroundings for any prey. It was a cool, windy day, which provided her with great hunting conditions.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
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The Nkoveni Female keeps her eyes on a lone impala ram who was moving through the bush-willow thickets some distance away.
Londolozi’s most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
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A Goliath Heron. One of many bird species that can be found whilst crossing the causeway. There is always a hive of activity and bird life around the Sand River.
A young Nile Crocodile slowly cruises through the main channel of the Sand River. They really are the ultimate ambush predator.
It has been such a wonderful 2 years watching this young male leopard grow up and come into his own as a young adult. Here the Shingi male rests in a large Jackalberry tree after feeding on an impala lamb he had caught the previous day.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
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After spotting some giraffe staring quite persistently into a Guarri thicket, we drove over to investigate and found the Shingi Male leopard posing beautifully atop a small termite mound.
One of the two Gijima Male lions on a late morning territorial patrol in the southernmost parts of the reserve.
We spent a decent amount of time around a small pan during our morning coffee break in the southeastern parts of the reserve. We watched a colony of Village Weavers building their nests. The birdlife in summer must be one of my favourite aspects of this season.
Eye-level with the beautiful Tinxiya Female leopard as she leapt up onto a fallen marula tree.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
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A pair of Little Bee-eaters perch along the banks of the Sand River. They were on the lookout for any aerial insects that might fly past, many of which they caught with such ease. Their aerial capabilities are incredible.
The Shingi Male contemplates descending this large jackalberry tree after finishing off a young nyala carcass.
An awesome sighting of an African Rock Python. Normally, this time of year, it isn’t at all easy to spot them as the grasses can be quite tall. We were lucky enough to spot this one crossing the road right in front of us. It goes without saying that I leapt out of the vehicle and got down to be level so I could take a couple pictures before it slithered off.
One of the young N’waswitshaka male lions. We are starting to see them more regularly across the southern parts of Londolozi. This was my first sighting of them. Here one of them goes down for a drink after feeding on a buffalo carcass.
The Ximungwe Female leopard gives a big yawn before descending this small termite mound.
Sightings of the Maxims Male are most certainly getting much better as he has relaxed a lot around the vehicles now. We had an incredible sighting of him as we followed him for a while as he walked some distance from his impala carcass to go and have a drink at the nearest water source.
Definitely my highlight for the week was seeing this Cape Clawless Otter and her subadult pup hunting freshwater crabs along the banks of the Sand River. Finding these beautiful animals has always proven to be a difficult task, let alone being able to get a decent view or even a picture of one.
A Kambula lioness quenches her thirst after finishing a buffalo carcass.
In the late afternoon twilight we managed to spot the Nkoveni Female resting up on a fallen marula tree. Every few minutes she would rasp loudly, calling for the Shingi Male, who she knew was in the area. After about 30 minutes, he appeared from the thickets and we managed to have a lovely sighting of the two of them as they reunited.
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Matt Rochford
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