When looking back on a fulfilled 2023, I couldn’t help but think about how incredible the game viewing was and how lucky we are that we get to call this place our home. The game viewing continued to produce, as it always does. Sharing moments with animals through the camera lens was something that was new to me when I arrived at Londolozi four years ago, but since then, it has become one of my favourite pastimes. I believe that capturing moments with these animals has allowed me to understand them in a different way.

Leopards, as usual, stand out for me. We had so many incredible sightings of these secretive cats in 2023. Leopards are the perfect subject; their raw beauty and regal ways allow us many perfect opportunities when photographing them. 2023 was once again an interesting year for the leopard dynamics at Londolozi. Three newly independent leopards came onto the scene: the Maxims Male became more comfortable with vehicles, whilst pushing the Senegal Bush Male further west; new leopards were making names for themselves in the north; and leopard cubs were everywhere!

Looking back at five of my favourite moments of 2023 with these amazing cats, I couldn’t help but share them with you.

Here are my top 5 pictures and sightings of different leopards over 2023.

The Mashaba Female

We hadn’t seen the Mashaba Female for a couple months, and it wasn’t through lack of effort. We knew she was still around, as we had been getting constant updates from our neighbours in the south that they were seeing her regularly. While driving guests who had been to Londolozi multiple times before, we decided to roll the dice and try and find the oldest Leopard at Londolozi. After searching for the majority of the morning, we decided to reward ourselves with a cup of coffee. Just as we were about to stop for our break near a waterhole, we turned the corner, and in a marula tree right in front of us, there she was! The sense of excitement filled the vehicle as she sat in this marula tree allowing us to photograph her for over an hour. Good things come to those who persist.

This was the sight we were greeted with. We finally found her in an incredible Marula tree of all places.

The Ndzanzeni Female and her cub

While exploring the southern parts of the reserve, Dorence stopped us for some tracks that he spotted. Once we realised that it was female leopard tracks and that we were in the heart of the Ndzanzeni Females territory excitement filled the air. Ross had spotted her a couple days prior and had seen that she had suckle marks, meaning she had a cub or cubs and they hadn’t been found yet. We followed the tracks for a brief moment before we saw her walking down the road. Shortly after, she cut off the road towards a thicket line that we knew had boulders in it – a perfect place for a den! Anticipation set in while following her towards the boulders. Once at the boulders, our dreams were answered after hearing her first contact call. A tiny face popped out of a crevice in the rocks before ducking back into the safety of it. After giving it some time, we eventually were blessed with an interaction that will stay with me forever. Once relaxed with our presence, we watch moments between mother and cub like no other. This was probably one of the best leopard sightings of the year for me.

Once the cub relaxed, we were blessed with incredible interactions between mother and cub. Time stands still during these moments.

The Plaque Rock Female

On a cold winter morning, we were on the lookout for lions as they had been calling throughout the evening. We had turned off the vehicle to listen once out on drive to see if we could hear more roaring. Just as we were about to continue the search and before starting the defender’s engine, we heard the ever-exciting alarm call from a herd of impala. Racing off to see what they were alarming at, we were soon graced with the sight of the Plaque Rock Female. It’s hard to beat the morning light in winter. The golden light that kisses her coat, complemented by the morning dew makes for an epic shot.

The winter golden hues in this photo perfectly sum up an early morning drive in Winter at Londolozi.

The Ntomi Male

2023 was a year when we watched four different leopards become independent. The most interesting journey to independence for me was that of the Ntomi Male. Being a young male, it was a lot harder for him to grasp the fact that his mother, the Xhimungwe Female, believed it was time that he should make it on his own. At first, he didn’t take to independence well and would continuously look for his mother, but as time went on, we began to see him create his own identity without her. This photo was the first time I saw him after he had been called the Ntomi Male.

First time I saw the Ntomi Male as a fully independent leopard.

The Thumbela Female

Younger leopards are always so intriguing to watch. They have a playful and inquisitive nature about them. I will never forget this afternoon with the newly named Thumbela Female. While searching the north for her mother, who had been seen in the morning, we were blessed with a sight that will stay with me for a long time. As rangers, we always drive past boulders in river beds and think to ourselves how unbelievable it would be if we could see a leopard on that boulder but it seldom happens. This afternoon, we were blessed with that exact dream. The Thumbela Female lying up on the boulders in the Manyelethi River. Her inquisitive nature shone through that afternoon as we spent over an hour with her while she played on the boulders chasing lizards. It was a truly remarkable sighting and an incredible way to end the year at Londolozi.

The Thumbela Female posing on some boulders in the Manyelethi River.

The five photos and sightings above are some of the most pivotal moments I got to share with the Leopards of Londolozi during an epic 2023! Let us know your best moments with these animals during 2023 in the comments below…