Without the full compliment of staff at the lodge, the village is a much quieter place. Most animals avoid humans, but since there are fewer of us around, it feels as though there are much higher levels of animal traffic through camp.
My accommodation sits right at the back of the village and I am fortunate to have a view looking down into a drainage line with some thicker vegetation, which has seemed like a predator highway. On a daily basis we hear alarm calls from bushbuck, nyala and impala and often run out onto the lawn to hopefully catch a glimpse of whichever leopard it might be.
Fresh tracks of a female leopard, the only evidence of her moving under the cover of darkness
We don’t always see the actual leopards, but know that they have been around.
On a number of mornings there have been fresh tracks around the offices in the heart of the camp, through the car parks and along the camp road.
Then there are the times when we do see them, mostly at night.
However, while we were all out on morning drive recently, we got a radio call from camp. “A leopard has killed a bushbuck 15m from Dave Varty’s office door.” A few staff members heard the initial hit and alarm calls so ran out to see what was going on. It turned out to be the Ximungwe young male and at the same time the Ximungwe female was seen on the other side of camp and walked right through to join her son, who at this point had run off towards the waterhole near camp to avoid all the people and commotion around the offices.
Without the leopards around, the kill was dragged out of camp so they could enjoy it in peace.
The Ximungwe young male has always been a relatively cheeky leopard. Holding his own now he is being seen less and less with his mother.
The Finfoot female rests behind a water tank in camp after having just walked right past the laundry mid-morning.
Although their rooms are not as isolated as mine on the outside of camp, some other staff recently had an even more intimate encounter with a leoaprd…
Early one evening, ranger Pete Thorpe heard what sounded like someone being sick and walked out to find the Finfoot female in the process of strangling a bushbuck no further than five metres from James Tyrrell’s front door. He immediately called Greg Pingo and James, his neighbours – who came running out to see the bushbuck still struggling to get away.
Once the leopard had dispatched it she dragged it across to a buffalo thorn tree a few meters away into which she hoisted it barely a minute later. Not only had the three seen a leopard kill on foot outside their houses, they were also there to watch her drag it into a tree from their back verandah.
The next morning, we could see that she had been feeding on the kill throughout the night but come sunrise she was nowhere to be found. Knowing there were people around she most likely went down into the river in front of camp to rest for the day. She returned that night and fed but was gone again by sunrise. This carried on for four days. As this kill was hoisted into a tree and a bit further away from the busyness around the office, we left it as it was. Being cautious and avoiding the area as much a possible allowed her to keep returning to feed when she was comfortable.
I am sure that more of these events are likely to happen, although maybe not as close and amazing as what Pete, James and Greg got to witness.
After all we humans are the real guests here.
This is the animals; domain and they continue with life no matter what is happening in the outside world.
With it being quieter in camp the animals feel more comfortable and are allowed the freedom to do as they would anywhere else on the reserve.
Amazing experiences.
I love this story! How amazing!!
Sean, loved the video🤗
What an exciting coexistence with wild animals! I wish it was the same everywhere. A positive side of Covid-19 all around the world has been nature’s conquest of original spots with us humans as spectators. I wish I could see those beautiful and graceful leopardesses and bushbuck as well…
Incredible! Looks like you don’t need to drive anywhere for the next Week in Video, it’s all coming to you.
Oh wow that must have been awesome to watch from so close!
Observing nature’s inhabitants at a safe distance is truly the ultimate experience. It seems the animals are feeling even more comfortable whilst fewer people are around. Thanks for sharing!!
How exciting for all of you! Yes, I’m jealous….
Sean, We know the unspoken agreement between we humans and the Londolozi leopard community allows them to feel safe in our presence. These experiences just underscore that concept of mutual respect for the wildlife and the truth behind Londolozi as “protector of all living things!”
How wonderful to be sharing your homestead with the leopards ! From all the recent footage we have enjoyed, it seems that because of the lack of human interaction, you have witnessed the most amazing sightings. Not only with the leopard, but, wild dogs, cheetah, and the ever present lion. I’m sure 2020 will be a year to remember and relive around the camp fire for years to come!
Amazing times in Africa! While nostalgia says it’s wonderful to have true back to nature, practicality says we hope you can sustain the economic shortfall until travel is once again on everyone’s horizon.
Sjo…pretty awesome!
sjo…pretty awesome
Thanks for sharing with us this great story Sean. can just imagine how close the Animals are getting. look forward to hearing more…
Sean what a beautiful story and I suppose a beautiful experience. I had a very similar experience as a kid growing up in Namibia (baboons). As a youngster I used to work in the Manyeleti during school holidays. There was a gent who used to run the Snake Research facility (I think Gerald) and he had a similar though probably less serene experience in so far as a pride of Lions chasing an antelope/zebra into their enclosed gated home area and enjoying the feast while they were braai’ing! Same family, one evening a leopard took a stole into their home (wet evening) and headed toward the baby cot. On that note, and I am not sure whether Gerald is still in the open, he innocently bitten by a Black Mamba and rushed to hospital (Acornhoek I think).. and a Python tooth stuck in his arm is a story for another day. Take care. Chat soonest. I miss the bush.. Barry
What an amazing sequence-so many interesting events in the last several weeks.
Incredible photo by Dean.
Incredible, such close proximity and such a privilege to witness this beautiful leopard having her dinner. xx
Astonishing!! What brilliant opportunities in the middle of so much craziness. I love your quote Sean “ After all we humans are the real guests here.
This is the animals; domain and they continue with life no matter what is happening in the outside world.” Simple, beautiful and perfect!!
Hello Sean! at my next visit to Londolozi, could we switch rooms? I usually stay in a comfortable chalet at Varty Camp. Ah, Ah, Ah
Wouldn’t we all have LOVED to be there!! Finfoot is so beautiful and I would be thrilled to “host” her for dinner (breakfast, dinner, breakfast, dinner, breakfast, dinner) outside my room anytime!
The power that leopards have in order to drag a dead animal up a tree just amazes me!
Wow!! Sooooo very cool, and another silver lining of the clouds of a pandemic. Love to you all.
Amazing!!!!
Really really lucky to have been there for 6 straight months! And to see Finfoot so up close and personal!