Londolozi: A Photo Essay

This past weekend we ran our first official Instagram takeover by the unbelievably talented @lara.jess during her trip to Londolozi. We hope you have enjoyed her photos and if not follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on more #IAtakeovers like this.

Scroll down and enjoy.

I'm working on a theory. I'll call it "The Arborists". It goes something like this: the leopards and lions of #Londolozi have a thing for beautiful trees. Due to this penchant they have made a pact with the elephants – any tree they claim as their own, the elephants have agreed to leave alone; any tree they earmark will keep its bark intact; keep its roots in the ground. The lions are doing their part by hiding their tiny cubs in a koppie. An exquisite fig, safe now, watches over the nursery, grateful for the pride's choosing. And the leopards – the leopards are the biggest tree-huggers of all (we'll forgive their affinity for meat – who said environmentalists HAD to be vegetarians anyway?). The leopards are doing the lion's share (I couldn't resist) of the guarding. It's no fluke that they drag their kills up the most beautiful of trees. It's no secret that leopards are tree-snobs. Just yesterday I was watching a leopard with a hoisted nyala kill in a giant Sausage Tree. Boisterous as they are, a big elephant appeared through a thicket causing the leopard to look up from her perch. And you know what I think her stare conveyed? I think she was saying, "No, sorry, I've shot-gunned this one." If you doubt my theory, take a look at my photo again and then try tell me she doesn't look besotted. @Londolozi @lara.jess #safari #kruger #sabisands #africatravel #travel #leopard #africa #iconicafrica

A photo posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 9, 2016 at 6:03am PDT

 

The large herd of buffalo @londolozi found the Mangane pride trying to sneak up on them and promptly chased them for 500 meters, turning the traditional tables on the lions. This buffalo however got slightly ahead of himself and almost got caught while retreating to the safety of the herd. #iconicafrica #IAtakeover #londolozi #kruger #sabisands #lion #buffalo @lara.jess

A video posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 8, 2016 at 6:05am PDT

 

"My brother is doing 'A Big Year'. For those who don't know that means he's trying to see or hear as many bird species as he can in one year. So far he's on 235. (He's in the lead – competing with two friends.) Our game drives at #Londolozi don't get far without him asking to stop so he can look through his binoculars at some flicker of feathers. This right here is a saddle billed stork. We saw him late in the drive when our spotlight swept passed the dam. If there's one thing I can't resist taking a photo of, it's a good reflection. When a reflection has bright colours, well, that's me – eye to the viewfinder. And isn't he just glorious?!" @lara.jess @londolozi #iconicafrica #londolozi #africa #travel #kruger #birding #birdwatching

A photo posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 9, 2016 at 9:53am PDT

 

"I'm with the cub on this one: afternoon naps are compulsory on #safari." @lara.jess @londolozi #iconicafrica #kruger #lion #travel #africa #londolozi #krugernationalpark

A photo posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 10, 2016 at 5:38am PDT

 

"I have been blessed by love both human and divine, and I believe there is no essential difference between them." Martha Beck. #Londolozi #safari #kruger #travel #lion

A photo posted by Lara Thomas (@lara.jess) on Jul 10, 2016 at 10:45pm PDT

 

Every pack has their runt. The smallest hyena in the litter. You may think its mother is being kind to it, picking it up, but she was actually denying this pup access to her milk in favor of the two larger pups. Only once the other two have had their fill would she let this small feisty pup feed. Not to be denied, the smallest of the litter squeals around its mother determined to survive, often bullying the larger pups to do so. #londolozi #kruger #hyena #runtofthelitter @lara.jess @londolozi

A video posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 10, 2016 at 11:49pm PDT

 

"This trip to #londolozi, I found myself declaring, "That's the best looking giraffe I've ever seen." And then soon after, "That rhino is seriously good looking." And "That's got to be the most gorgeous waterbuck around." Maybe I just forgot how beautiful wildlife is. Or maybe they are indeed the finest example of their species. I think it may be the latter because my admiration did not extend to a particular ostrich who was rather tatty, having taken self-grooming to a unhealthy extreme." @lara.jess #Kruger #safari #giraffe #travel #africa

A photo posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 11, 2016 at 1:06pm PDT

 

The thing about golden light is it doesn't really matter what it hits, it turns it pretty.

A photo posted by Lara Thomas (@lara.jess) on Jul 11, 2016 at 12:41pm PDT

 

Just a lion cub practicing its killer choke holds on this poor stick. #iconicafrica #kruger #londolozi #lion #cubs @lara.jess @londolozi

A video posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 12, 2016 at 4:01am PDT

 

"Thanks to #iconicafrica for letting me takeover your handle for a few days and to @Londolozi for yet another incredible trip. For my swansong, I leave you with this black maned beauty." @lara.jess #safari #kruger #londolozi #iconicafrica #travel #africa

A photo posted by Iconic Africa (@iconicafrica) on Jul 12, 2016 at 5:50am PDT

 

We hope you enjoyed all the photos and video from our first Instagram takeover. Please let us know in the comments section what you thought and if you would like to experience a trip like this.

To find out more about Londolozi click here.