Nearly three years later, I found myself scrolling through a few photos I managed to capture of the Maxim’s Male Leopard during our first proper photographic encounter in early 2022. The images brought back wonderful memories of stumbling upon this elusive and, at the time, extremely shy large male leopard.

The seldom-seen Maxim’s Male crosses the road ahead of us shortly after sunrise. Initially one of the most skittish leopards around, he is starting to relax around the vehicles and allow us the time to view him for more than just a fleeting glimpse.

Over the past few years, sightings of the Maxim’s Male have often been fleeting, making it challenging to spend extended periods observing him. As a result, I haven’t had many opportunities to capture photos of him. Thanks to the tried, tested, and successful habituation practices we continue to implement here at Londolozi, we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in the Maxim’s Male’s temperament. Over time, he has begun to relax in the presence of the vehicles, a testament to what care and respect towards wildlife can result in.

John Varty and Elmon Mhlongo began the habituation practices of leopards many decades ago…

Recently, we were treated to an extraordinary sighting of the Maxim’s Male. He was so calm and at ease that we were able to sit and observe him for as long as we wished, a truly unforgettable experience for us and our guests.

Back in 2022

The first few photos are from my initial photographic encounter with the Maxim’s Male leopard in early 2022. Although the sighting was brief, we were fortunate to capture some truly remarkable moments of him. He moved gracefully in and out of a dry riverbed, and at one point, he emerged into a stunning clearing right in front of us. It was a fleeting but unforgettable experience, and those photos remain some of my favourites to this day.

An Iconic Londolozi Moment

The Maxim’s Male leopard strode confidently across a dry riverbed right in front of our vehicle. This was how we first spotted him that day—a moment that felt almost surreal given how rare such sightings had been with this elusive leopard in the past.

This particular scene became one of my favourites from the sighting. It encapsulated everything iconic about a Londolozi leopard encounter: the golden light, the dry riverbed, and the presence of a truly magnificent male leopard.

An Unexpected Moment

During this part of the sighting, the Maxim’s Male surprised us by moving out into an open clearing. Based on his behaviour, we suspected he was following the scent of another leopard.

Rediscovering this photo in the archives brought a wave of nostalgia, it feels like it was just yesterday. Moments like these are a reminder of how thrilling and unpredictable wildlife encounters can be.

The Maxims Male on the Move

It became apparent that the Maxim’s Male was now responding to distant calls from another leopard. It was incredible to witness this territorially dominant leopard moving with such purpose and confidence, a clear display of his role as a protector of his territory.

What made this moment even more special was that it marked the first time I was able to photograph him face-on, out in the open.

The Recent Encounter with the Maxim’s Male

The next three images showcase our most recent sighting of the Maxim’s Male. As mentioned earlier, despite the contrasting behaviour seen in the 2022 photos, he has become significantly more relaxed, and sightings of him are now becoming increasingly frequent.

As we made our approach towards where he lay, we were somewhat expecting him to get up and move off concealing himself behind a few bushes, but this was not the case. He remained where he was, and we were able to sit quietly while he rested just a few meters away. It was a privilege to admire his impressive size and graceful demeanour without the need to constantly try to follow him.

A Moment of Connection

The Nkoveni Female had recently been in the same vicinity as the Maxim’s Male, which explains the saliva dripping from his jaws, a telltale sign of there being another leopard around.

I particularly love this photo because of the way he gazes up into a tree. It captures not just his strength and presence but also a hint of curiosity and intent.

The Maxims Male in His Element

He then let out a big yawn—often a sign that he might be preparing to get up. Just look at the size of those impressive canine teeth! I also love the way his whiskers stand out in this shot, adding to the detail and personality of the moment.

The Maxims Male on the Move

He then rose and walked toward the tree he had been staring at, likely to inspect the base where the Nkoveni Female may have left her scent just moments before.

His eye, is so striking and unique, capturing the intensity and character that make this leopard so remarkable.

Reminiscing about a sighting from a few years ago was truly exciting, especially since I could compare it to the most recent encounter and observe the Maxim’s Male’s behavioural changes over time.

Let’s hope that the sightings of this phenomenal male leopard only continue to improve. We’re definitely heading in the right direction!