Spotting a leopard isn’t easy, especially when the leopard is hidden by foliage and in the shade of a thicket. Leopards are renowned for their elusive, secretive nature. While some are easier to find, others are a little more tricky. One male leopard in particular has built a reputation that perfectly matches the latter. The Maxim’s Male leopard could be described in three words by the rangers and trackers as “huge, exciting, and skittish”.
Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.
The camouflage of a leopard’s coat is incredible. When a they’re resting or trying to remain hidden in a thicket, this is often all you may see.
Whilst out on a recent game drive we were sitting with a herd of elephants as they drank at a waterhole, we noticed a flicker of movement within some bushes not too far off. The perfectly disguised rosette coat of a leopard lay beneath the long thin leaves of a Magic Guarri bush. Somehow we had managed to spot this elusive feline; the Maxim’s Male. And, due to our past sightings of this male leopard, my initial thought was that this was as good as the sighting would get. Typically this male will avoid being seen and, if spotted, he would quickly make his way to a thicket where he’d wait in hiding until left alone.
When zoomed in, you can see the leopard lying in the shade, to the right of the tree. A leopard’s rosettes are most effective in camouflaging them into the dappled light under trees and in thickets.
The habituation of Leopards at Londolozi has played the ultimate role in the amazing viewing that we experience with these predators today. In most cases, the habitation process begins at the establishment of a leopard den site. This is where we get to spend quality time with a mother leopard and her cubs. Whilst it is absolutely extraordinary spending time at a leopard’s den, it becomes extremely crucial in the habituation process, ensuring that the cubs you are viewing begin to realise that the vehicle doesn’t pose any threat to them.
The habituation process can also occur with adult leopards, albeit somewhat at a slower rate. Often these cases involve male leopards that have moved in from elsewhere and are establishing new territories on Londolozi. These particular males may move in from areas where they weren’t accustomed to the sounds and shapes of vehicles or had not been viewed frequently when they were being raised by their mother.
The Maxim’s Male leopard is a great example of this. We began to see the impressively-sized leopard more often in the early parts of 2021, however, sightings of him were very brief and often through very thick areas as he constantly moved away from the vehicle. In fact, until a few days ago I had never managed to get a picture of the Maxim’s Male.
The Maxim’s Male leopard strides across a dry riverbed in front of our vehicle. This is the first picture I have been able to capture of this beautiful leopard. In this particularly unusual sighting, he allowed us some magnificent viewing, with this scene being one of my favourites. The setting really captured an iconic Londolozi leopard sighting; beautiful light plus a dry river bed plus a very impressive male leopard.
This sighting of the Maxim’s Male was an absolute highlight of mine. After resting in the thicket for not too long, the large male leopard began to get active. After yawning a couple of times and stretching his limbs, he stood up and began a territorial patrol. He meandered his way through a dry river bed, marking his territory and occasionally giving a territorial call, often known as rasping or sawing. We had the privilege of following this male for almost two hours!
Most probably the largest leopard on Londolozi currently, the Maxim’s Male is an extremely impressive predator to view. His relatively shy nature yet extreme confidence and size create a very unique sighting. In this moment, he was striding across an open clearing with the beautiful afternoon light reflecting off his face. The drying long grass and winter colours add to the drama of this particular sighting.
He walked through open clearings, allowing us to loop ahead and appreciate a front-on view of him as he didn’t change his path, and even approached our vehicle. Upon getting closer, all of us in the vehicle got to appreciate his size, confidence and stature without us feeling like we were encroaching on his daily business.
The Maxim’s Male on the move, responding to distant calls from another leopard. It was amazing to see this dominant male leopard move with such demeanour as he patrolled his territory. It was the first time I have been able to photograph him face on, in the open.
From being used to viewing the Maxim’s Male for only a few seconds, to having the most incredible sighting of him for almost two hours gives me great hope for our observational possibilities with this amazing animal. The process of habitation cannot be accomplished overnight. Time spent with elusive cats over many days and on many drives, continues to allow us to view these predators the way we are able to. I cannot wait for the next opportunity we get to spend time with the Maxim’s Male leopard.
He’s a magnificent male indeed! His eyes look less intimidating than the Senegal Bush Male for example. I didn’t know of Magic Gaurri, there always is something new to learn in Londolozi!
super photos, very fortunate guests
What a beautiful leopard! Fantastic shots of him. He is obviously now feeling less threatened by the vehicles and the interest shown towards him. Hope to see and hear more about this magnificent boy. Out of interest how do the determine the age of a leopard without physically examining him?
Dan, beautiful images & congratulations spotting him in that thicket! Hopefully he will become relaxed around the vehicle as time goes by. And that he sticks around for some time to come!
What a magnificent leopard. Thanks for the pictures Dan.
Dan the Maxim’s male leopard is very impressive and his size makes him even more impressive. That he is a skittish leopard is sure, but I’m impressed that he walked right passed you and allowed you to take foto’s of him, so that we also can see him properly.
Wow, beautiful shots of this gigantic leopard! We saw him a few years ago and were very impressed by him. He definitely stands out among his peers! Thanks for sharing, Dan!
Great news Dan that this formidable male leopard is beginning to relax with vehicles around him. Looking at your last photo, Maxim reminds me of a young version of Senegal Bush male, sans torn ears. He’s impressive to say the least and I hope there’re many more sightings for all to enjoy.
This leopard is really impressive and beautiful. When I saw him last year, he was lying in rather high grass and it was already dark, so that the photos of him were not too good. But it was still a wonderful encounter.
Great job Dan! A truly magnificent, powerful, and impressive specimen. Hope he’s around when we visit next year!
Greetings,
What an amazing animal, truly one of the most beautiful male leopard out there !!
Outstanding photographs, what a privilege to have witnessed such a sighing, congratulations !!
Maxim’s is really a sensational cat! Very glad to hear that he is slowly but surely relaxing and enjoying his time in the sun!
He is definitely an interesting character, much like the Molwati Male in the Northern Sabi Sands. Molwati was born in early 2014 in Thornybush but was never relaxed around vehicles as a cub despite being exposed to them and much like the Maxims Male, is notoriously unrelaxed (usually during the day), relaxes at night, and sometimes acts totally unperturbed by the vehicles that view him. It is nice that the Sabi Sands has some leopards who remind people near and far how lucky places like Londolozi are in viewing these handsome cats!
These were AMAZING pictures of this very interesting and magnificent male Leopard. We know he will be welcome at Londolozi. Can’t wait to hear more about him!