It was the final morning for guests Shaun and Carolyn, who had flown 22 hours from America to stay with us for 4 days. While sipping on a hot cup of coffee looking out off the Varty deck at the ominous clouds brewing over Londolozi which seemed as if they were about to burst at any second, we heard the the low call of a leopard coming from somewhere in the river below is.
That was the trigger; ponchos were on and we were off in search.
If you have been to Londolozi before you may have seen the beautiful protruding boulders which are scattered along the banks and the middle of the Sand River in front of camp. That’s where we were heading.
We crossed through the River to the northern bank where we had more of a vantage point to scan across the boulders. We heard it again, allowing us to pinpoint the area.
“THERE IT IS”! called Shaun as he pulled off an incredible spot as the leopard moved behind a small bush. Moments after we spotted her she lay up on one of the boulders, which for me, is one of the most beautiful places to view and photograph these cats.
It was the Nhlanguleni female.
This was the long distance view we had of her when she first lay down. We were fortunate that she stopped where she had instead of moving off into an inaccessible part of the river.
Now that she was perfectly positioned for a view, we had to find a way into the river. Driving there comes with its difficulties at the best of times; following a leopard in the Sand River can be difficult, as they can very easily walk into an area which we can’t get to.
Fortunately she had stayed there long enough for us to get down into the river. We managed to weave our way around boulders and through some very soft sand to get into a position right in front of her. As she yawned she got up and carried on moving along the banks. Yawning is often a sign that they will start moving and in this case that’s exactly what happened.
She couldn’t have been lying on the boulder for more than ten minutes when she called again and then got up and started moving. Her calling had given her position away as a few impala on the clearing behind her had started walking closer to see if they could see her.
If you have a look towards the top left of the boulder you can see there was an impala which had seen the leopard and started alarm calling.
Once we had seen and heard the impala alarm calling, we moved the vehicle to get a different angle in the hope that the leopard was going to start moving again now that she had been spotted. During this time of year leopards know there are a lot of very vulnerable impala lambs which are close to lone female impalas, as they often will keep their offspring hidden away for roughly three days until they are strong enough to be running with the herd. This unfortunately also makes them more vulnerable to predation.
There had been a bit of drizzle throughout the morning but things started getting heavier. It could not have been more picturesque as the rain was falling while the leopard lay scanning from the boulders.
Something had caught her attention and she was off the boulder in a flash. She had seen a vulnerable impala lamb and was closing in. The lamb’s mother was not far away, oblivious to its surroundings the lamb started bleating which was going to be its demise. All we could see were a few spots of the leopard stalking and beyond her, the the lamb cautiously walking in search of its mother. The leopard took off and as we raced around a bush to see, she walked out in front of us with the poor impala lamb hanging lifelessly from her jaws.
It was a quick death for the lamb so there was no suffering. The female impala had now seen the leopard again and started alarming at her profusely. The Nhlanguleni female momentarily paused and looked back at the impala and then carried on moving.
The impala alarming caused her to change direction and she walked straight towards our vehicle, allowing us to get the most incredible view of her as she walked past us.
This was the last view we had of her as she walked over a boulder and into a deep thick riverine area where we unfortunately could not get the vehicle into.
Her walking over all the boulders and moving through the Sand River was breathtakingly beautiful.
We could not have asked for a better way to conclude Shaun and Carolyn’s stay.
Good things happen to good people; they took the leap of faith in travelling here from the US for only four days, and were rewarded with the most spectacular sightings.
Guy what a great moment for these two guests. Impressive pictures and a momentous way to end their stay. Pictures are always captivating and these were no different. The Bush is harsh but so is life and death for God’s creatures
What a story! Sad for the poor lamb and exciting for the leopard and your guests. 22 hours flight for 4 days…
That’s quite some journey for 4 days! – but Londolozi is worth it. Guy, has her cub been seen recently?
You lucky guys! Although I would prefer to see the leopard without a dead lamb, it’s life but it makes me sad. It’s snowing here and the lockdown is made more bearable by the charming view. Also thanks to Londolozi spectacular view of the lady leopard in the rain. Just mesmerising
Amazing sighting!! Lucky guests! Not really envious.. just happy some people are able to travel!
Guy, I loved all the photos, especially the one leopard was yawning🤗
It would be magic to see a Leopard on those boulders!
Great photos , and great viewing for the guests. Not so great for the lamb impala 🐑
Fantastic story unfolding here with some great photos!
I didn’t know travelers from the USA were permitted into SA at this time. I thought OR Tambo was still closed to us.
Absolutely beautiful pics of the leopard! Thanks for sharing!
Guy, What a grand finale for your guests! The shots in the rain are quite different than what we are used to!
How thrilling for all of you, but especially for your guests to not only see a leopard, but watch her search the bushes and come out with a kill. Although it seems cruel, that is how nature is kept in balance. Congratulations!
Great story and pics Guy!
Oh how bitter sweet… nature… amazing and heartbreaking all in a breath…
What a fabulous end to a their special time spent at Londolozi! So special thanks for sharing Guy 💓🙏
Lucky day! I have seen the most amazing things on Safari while on a sprint to the airstrip and a flight! Tends to be the usual luck!
Hi Guy, any sign that she still has her cub that was seen a few weeks ago?
@Michael Fleetwood, unfortunately we don’t think her cub has made it. she has been seen mating with the flat rock male and has been calling in the river. a sign that she may have lost her cub but we have no hard evidence that it is alive or dead.
Super story Guy – and even better photos. remind us so much of our previous few days with you earlier this year
@Mark Sadler, thank you very much Mark. I hope you are keeping well and hopefully you will be back soon so we can make some more memories
Lovely Leopard pics, Guy. Wendy M
Incredible and fortuitous sighting! You’re photos are stunning!
@Paul Canales, thank you very much.