Patience is everything in the bush, and few moments test that virtue quite like watching a mother leopard on the hunt.
Lately, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend quality time with the Nkoveni Female and her son, and on this particular afternoon, they gifted us with an unforgettable sighting. Moving gracefully through the golden afternoon light, they weaved between trees, their spotted coats blending effortlessly with the glowing grass. Every movement was precise, every step calculated as they attempted to stalk an unsuspecting herd of impala.
The tall grass—both an ally and an obstacle—provided the perfect cover, but the impala caught wind of them and vanished into the distance. While the Nkoveni Female lay low, still hoping for an opportunity, her young son took a different approach—climbing an appleleaf tree for a better vantage point, watching and learning.
From there, we shift pace to an electrifying wild dog chase, following a pack as they covered an astonishing distance over two game drives. These relentless hunters move like ghosts, gliding through the landscape with unmatched speed and energy. From above, we witness a mesmerizing scene—these painted predators racing along the road in perfect formation.
And finally, we close off with a sighting that never fails to send shivers down your spine—the Ndzhenga Male lion, standing in the fading light, sending out a full-blown roar that echoes across the landscape. A reminder of power, dominance, and the unfiltered wildness of the African bush.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
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Hi Sean, absolutely amazing video footage of the wild dogs from the drone.
It seems that the Londolozi leopards hunt during daylight quite often. Is this normal leopard behaviour or is this peculiar to Londolozi because of the relative comfort they have with the human presence?
Thank you so much, Eric. So for the most part leopards hunt at night and during the crepuscular hours (dawn and dusk), however, mother leopards tend to move around and hunt more during the day. But leopards are opportunistic and if there is food on offer they will do what they need to irrespective of the time of day.
Hi Sean, the Nkoveni Female ‘s mesmerising beautiful unique eyes are immediately recognisable and her full shape too, her son looks quite alike and, as his mother, a very smart guy. Leopards are renowned to hunt in the most variety of ways, including jumping directly on their prey from above the tree. This is a useful way to experiment for the young male. I still regret the loss of her sister, she was the copy of her mother and so cheerful, would have been the continuation of her mother ‘s genepool. How peculiar the view from above of the endless landscape and the wild dogs as small as ants… they likely separated from the rest of the pack for some reason. Great end with the proudly roaring Ndzenga male! Each lion has his peculiar voice and language. I love his, and I remember Makulu ‘s unique call ,of the Mapogo coalition, he lasted more than any other lion I know of, and was the older in the coalition. The Ndzenga male have been superb in protecting their pride.
The Nkoveni Female really is a stunning leopard, and her son is growing into an impressive young male too.
Leopards are adaptable and resourceful, so if they are in a tree and prey comes along underneath they will do what they have to.
It was sad to lose the young female, but I guess that is just the way things go sometimes.
The view of the wild dogs from above was great.
Each lion’s roar is unique and different and after spending time with all of them roaring you can begin to identify each one of them by the roar alone.
The Nkoveni Duo are such fascinating and beautiful leopards to watch. Last September, when I saw them the son was still a real cub, now he is a beautiful young male. It’s always amazing to see how well they blend into the grass when they try to hunt.
When seen from above, some areas of Londolozi do not look very green, though the grass seems to be very high in the place the leopards were in. You said that the rain was somewhat below the average of this time of year. Do you think there will be some more rain of is the rainy season already over?
Hearing lions roar always makes a nice end to a video. Thanks for this great video of the week.
Leopards do blend in so well, they are the masters of the stalk and so watching the two of them just vanish into the grass proved that.
I think that there will be a little bit more rain. Sometimes we get some rain in April, but overall we will probably be below average for the season.
Sean, Thanks for a really great video this week! We loved seeing the drone footage as it followed your escapades!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. It was such an awesome and unique view of the dogs.
Hi Sean, certainly very exciting to see and hear the Ndhzenga male roaring. I credible sound and can always listen to that sound. Love the Nkoveni female and her male cub, such beauties both of them. The male climbed that tree right up to the top to go and rest, wonderful sight. Toulon pack is very busy and I feel exhausted just watching them. Thanks Sean fantastic video once again.
It was incredible to sit with the Ndhzenga Male as he roars.
The Nkoveni Duo, although they didn’t catch anything, it was still great to follow them around and be a part of their hunt.
It’s always a treat to watch Nkoveni and her sub adult son, who seems to be growing by each sighting. Despite the long grasses you captured some good footage, especially watching her son climb the tree and eventually settle a bit.
So are the Toulon pack still at seven members? As they run helter skelter, it’s difficult to keep track of them. Good thing you have the drone. Just one more sleep now ……
It was a great sighting of the Nkoveni Duo, indeed.
So my understanding is that the Toulon Pack have now split into two groups. The Alpha pair have stayed together, and then the other 5 females have broken away and are being seen by themselves. I am not sure if this is because the Alphas are mating and whether they will rejoin.