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Jemma Thorpe

Londolozi Creative Hub

Jemma grew up on a farm in the Midlands Meander in Kwa-Zulu Natal and studied at the University of Cape Town. With little bush experience but with many hours of au pairing, teaching English and forming a love for travel, Jemma found herself ...

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25 Comments

on 44 Years – The Legacy of the Leopards of Londolozi

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Absolutely love this entry Jemma! A lineage that I have become absolutely riveted by and always eager to learn more about!

I’m so glad you enjoyed it Michael – such a fascinating lineage.

Thank you Jemma for this article reinforcing the history of the Londolozi leopards. I never tire of hearing the story of how and when the Mother Leopard was sighted and then followed by JV and Elmon after that. I’ve been reading the blog since 2017 and became fascinated reading about the resident leopards and by 2018 I had booked a visit for my late fall – my first afternoon introduced me to the Tortoise Pan male, then not yet named or independent. The rest of my visit rewarded me with more leopard sightings as well as a few Mhagene cubs. My fascination has only grown and I’m looking forward to my third visit in a few weeks, knowing I will see my favorite big cat, my spirit animal.

Thank you so much for your comment, it truly is the most fascinating story. It’s so wonderful to hear you will be joining us for your third visit soon – another chance to observe these incredible leopards.

Thank you so much Jemma for this wonderful blog. Years ago I had a Londolozi brochure with that image of the male leopard on the cover. I was drawn to his beauty, and in turn to Londolozi for our 1st visit in 2010. I’m due back at Founders in November for my 14th time (and I cry every time I leave!) It really is such a special place.

Thanks so much Suzanne, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I’m sure you’ve seen many changes in the dynamics between leopards in the past 13 years – what an incredible thing to witness and experience. Looking forward to having you back in November! I don’t think leaving get’s any easier, probably harder with each visit.

Great article, a legacy of leopards month is a great idea. Lots of great info about the family bloodlines.

I watched the silent hunter and it’s sequel, fantastic docs, first of their kind. You can see them on lionmountain.tv.

Thanks so much Tony – so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed it.

Jemma, thank you for the wonderful retelling of the leopards of Londolozi.

Thank you so much William.

For me, leopards are the most beautiful, gracious, nonchalant and fascinating animals in the wild.
That a mother leopard allows us to watch her most intimate actions, like playing with her cubs or nursing them, or mating with a male leopard, is the greatest compliment she can make to her surroundings, in this case, Londolozi, its staff and guests. It’s wonderful that the rangers and trackers have built up all that trust over the years and so we can enjoy these wonderful animals and pay our respect to them. I believe that they can realize whether or not people respect them even if they don’t seem to realize our presence.
Thanks for this beautiful article.

Thank you so much for your comment Christa. They really are the most spectacular creatures and it is such a privilege to witness their daily lives so often as we do. We are so fortunate to have this relationship with them.

Jemma, What a beautiful story and an education at the same time! There is no doubt that the relationship that began with the Varty Brothers and that first leopard encounter, became a catalyst for the amazing transformation that is so special today – and will be for generations to come!

Thank you so much Michael and Terri – I’m so glad you enjoyed it and learnt a thing or two.

Where has Roxy been hiding?! Her shots are amazing! How fun (and fortunate) for you all to be able to track lineage and watch these beauties in their natural habitat.

Thank you Anita, Roxy kindly edited these images beautifully but is not the photographer. So glad you enjoyed the blog.

Such and interesting and inspiring post Jemma! All this great historical content is fascinating, and draws me to dive back into the various Londolozi books! Thanks so much!

Thank you so much for your kind words Paul – glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks so much Jemma for this incredible story of the leopards of Londolozi. The beginning when JV and Elmon first sighted the mother leopard and documented everything about here is absolutely astounding information. That is when everything started and today the linage of the mother leopard started and today Londolozi is renowned for their leopards. Thanks James for sharing your experience with watching the Flat rock male. Wonderful experience that will stay with you forever.

Thank you so much Valmai, I’m so glad you found it fascinating. These truly are moments which one will remember forever.

Hi Jemma, thank you a lot for writing this accurate and incredible blog about Londolozi ‘s leopard dynasty. I watched John Varty’s documentaries a few years ago. Then i looked for the Mother Leopard and Manana and found Londolozi with this superb work! There’s nothing alike in the world and I hope it will last for leopards sake, the environment and our inner richness. We would all be poorer without leopards

I’m so glad to hear how much you enjoyed this blog Francesca – thank you for your kind words.

I cannot tell you how much the leopards of the Sabi Sands mean to me…..merely 6 years ago, I knew nothing about them….now I avidly follow who is who and doing what and is in which location and seen with whom….and yes, who disappears and dies, whereupon many tears are shed. So glad to be a part of this mysterious, beautiful world of wild leopards!

Master Tracker

Stunning photography even by Londolozi’s high standards

Thank you so much for this story. It’s so great to read about how it all started and what an impact it had on leopard viewings in Sabi Sands.
So do we actually know the name of the iconic male leopard “… one of the first sons of the Original Mother Leopard”?

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