Involved Leopards

Ximungwe 5:3 Female

Ximungwe 5:3 Female

Spotted this leopard?
You've seen this leopard
Mother Leopard 2:2 Female

Mother Leopard 2:2 Female

Spotted this leopard?
You've seen this leopard

About the Author

Dean de la Rey

Alumni Ranger

Dean was a guide at Londolozi from 2018 to 2022. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember ...

View Dean's profile

15 Comments

on 8 Hours with the Ximungwe Female

Join the conversationJoin the conversation

you all showed considerable patients! so frustrating to work and wait so long! but kudos to you all !!! Victoria

Master Tracker

“Maybe it is something we will never get the answers too”

The word enigmatic was coined for leopards

Hope we’re able to follow the Ximungwe female to her den wen we arrive next month!

The Ximungwe dam looks a wonderful ambassador for Londolozi! What a treat to see her cub! Leopards are considered with evidence very smart animals. She must be very alert for her cub. Do you know is it a male or a female?

This kind of mystery is why we cannot wait to get up early in the morning and go on drive! Waiting for cats takes such patience but oh the rewards that can come!

I feel your story Dean. During my stay there a couple of months ago, we had been spotting leopards morning/afternoon but the Ximungwe female eluded us until the fifth day of my visit, and then, it was a crazy, looping drive through the tangled maze of cropped trees and grass. We spent less than an hour following her before she disappeared into the dense drainage line, perhaps heading off to her cub who had not been spotted at that point. I suspect she lost one of her cubs, thus her behavior is following the similar pattern she exhibited in 2019 – just a thought. At least you and your guests saw her.

It could be that the Ximungwe female may not be ready for you or others to view her cub(s). When she’s ready, you’ll seen them soon enough.

Dean, leopards🤗

Dean, Of course, she is beautiful – she is Mashaba’s daughter! We are so impressed that you stayed on track and didn’t give up! A true commitment and patience. We have no doubt that you will find the cub!

It just goes to show she does not want you to know where the cub is or she is clever enough to lead you in all different directions. They are such beautiful cats and yes I admire J.V. and Elmon for spending so much time with the leopard that he loved so much. Patience and perseverance pays off in the long run. The Ximungwe female is secretive and yet so majestic. Her mother on the other hand does not mind being followed and watched, I think she quiet enjoys it.

This will always be one of the most memorable days of my life! What a blessing to spend so much time with her.

The bagels look delicious. Nice for your guests that they had the opportunity to watch this leopard all day long!

I’m certainly no expert Dean, but it does sound awfully like she may have lost a cub and is behaving in the same manner that she did in 2019. I do hope I am wrong and that you get a second chance to spend 8 hours zigzagging through Londo, enjoying not only her but perhaps her and cub ‼️🙏🏻💕

Senior Digital Ranger

Well there’s a nature drive for you! 🙂

Ever get the feeling that leopards are just “playing” with us? They are so smart and canny and savvy…..leading us around and around and avoiding their dens to protect their little ones….hopefully Ximungwe will be successful with this litter of cubs!

Connect with Londolozi

Follow Us

One moment...
Anonymous
Be the first to this photo
You and 1 others this photo
q

Filed under
Anonymous
10 April, 2798
+
Add Profile