There’s something truly exhilarating about working together with a couple of experienced trackers, following fresh leopard tracks on foot. The excitement builds even more when those tracks suddenly transform into a drag mark—you know then that the leopard is close, and that she has a carcass.
On a recent afternoon, I joined two phenomenal trackers, Geshom and Tshepo, as we followed the tracks of the Nkoveni Female, who had crossed through the Sand River around Old Elephant Crossing.
What stood out was her movement into a very unfamiliar area. She had pushed far north, well into the territories of the Nhlanguleni Female and Ngungwe Female. Not only that, but she had a carcass with her and had brought her son into the area as well.
After a thrilling tracking effort on foot, we eventually found the drag mark leading to the carcass and then heard her running off nearby. Now knowing exactly where she was, we headed back to the vehicle and managed to navigate our way in just as the light was fading. There she was, feeding in the last light. We could head home after a successful and enjoyable endeavour.
The next morning, we committed to a long sit, waiting on the banks of the river in the hopes that she would cross back to find her cub. What unfolded was a scene of pure magic. Once again, I was torn between capturing it all on video or photos. Hopefully, we managed both. You let me know.
We left her resting in the shade after that perfect morning. Later, we returned in the afternoon, and this time watched her cross the river again. The light was soft and golden, and she leapt through the deeper water with incredible grace, backlit and beautiful.
I hope you enjoy this Virtual Safari.
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Wow. What an amazing video. Thank u, once again for sharing this. Awesome!!
War an amazing video, Sean.
Though I don’t know Geshom personally, Tshepo is indeed one of the very best, phenomenal trackers I her ever been with. Great to follow him, Geshom and you virtually through dense bush till you found the Nkoveni female and her carcass. It was amazing to watch her cross the river later. Fantastic! Really. Every movement of her and of leopards in general is pure beauty. They are, for em, the most extraordinary animals., maybe apart from all the other hundreds of extraordinary animals…
Thanks so much, Christa! Tshepo really is incredible to watch in action, and it was such a thrill tracking alongside him and Geshom. Glad you enjoyed following the journey and that magical river crossing too—leopards really do move with such grace!
That was incredible, Sean…..so happy you videoed it so we can all watch this astonishing event from our homes! How mysterious to find her there in the 1st place. Wonder if she trying to introduce her son to new areas? And please, need an update on whether she’s found him since?
Thanks so much, Suzanne! It really was one of those spine-tingling moments—both the mystery of finding her there and the beauty of the river crossings. As for her son… there’s definitely more to that story, so keep an eye out in the next Virtual Safari 😉
The Nkoveni Female has endured a lot of unbelievable events in her life that almost trespass the wall of reality- such as being in a mortal grip of a lion pride and escape like a phoenix and much else- following her mother and grandmother ‘s endurance at 14 years old she has become a legend, her beauty just underlines her ultimate features as nature ‘s masterpiece, so no surprise she crossed the river… the unbelievable beauty of the landscape and its stunning colours and shades, with elephants as background together with guineafowls, some favourite leopards prey, funny and fierce birds at the same time, underlines the magnitude of nature ‘s power and beauty, culminating in the Nkoveni Female ‘s perfect features and her son…
Francesca, your words always capture the heart of the moment so beautifully. Nkoveni truly is a legend—her resilience and presence continue to amaze us. That scene was pure magic, and I’m so glad it resonated with you too.
Awesome Sean!!! Thankyou so much for sharing this magnificent footage of Nkoveni!! Can you please comment on what appears to be a cut on her left neck and shoulder. I love hearing her call for her son. Can you please teach her to follow tracks like you do🤣, I worry about the mother’s young all the time. Has she found her son yet? Have you named her son? I was saddened to learn that Nkoveni’s daughter was killed. I met the 3 of them last September.
Also, would a croc/gator ever get a leopard? I watched the wildebeest/croc encounter, quite shocking. But wildebeest are expected to be meals for predators. Not the cats!
Thank you! Nkoveni is always such a pleasure to spend time with. We also noticed the small wound—thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be serious and is already starting to heal. It could have been from a hunt or possibly from a bit of a scuffle between here and her son at a carcass. As for her son, you’ll have to watch the next video for an update! 😊 We haven’t named him yet, but we’re watching his progress closely. And yes, it was incredibly sad about her daughter—she was such a special young leopard. Regarding crocs, while it’s rare, leopards can fall victim to them if they’re caught unaware near water. They’re usually very cautious around rivers for exactly that reason!
One other question Sean, if 2 other female leopards are in the territory where Nkoveni is now moving into, might they fight? Will Nkoveni’s son be in danger from the other females?
Thankyou for the wonderful morning theater!!!!
Great question! Territorial disputes between females can definitely happen, but they often avoid direct conflict through scent marking and calling. Making each other’s presence known so that they do not fight. The Nkoveni Female’s son is still young and mostly keeps a low profile, so while there’s always risk, she’s usually cautious about where she takes him, but I feel that he is now big enough and strong enough to defend himself against a female, he probably will come out of it with a few wounds but it is unlikely that a female leopard would kill him. So glad you enjoyed the morning show—it really was unforgettable!
An amazing combination of video and still shots. Well done!! Loved it.
Thank you so much, Barbara. I am glad you loved it.
Just amazing and another epic virtual safari! Favorite moments are everywhere throughout this video from your initial tracking of Nkoveni in those thick drainage lines to her “pussyfooting “ across the Sand River, pausing to shake her paws only to submerge them once again. There is an art to tracking and I’m pleased that you chose to highlight your experience with Geshom and Tshepo during your search for her. Seeing a leopard crossing a river not once, but twice in a couple of days, is just unbelievable, especially when leopards tend not to spend much time in water. Fortunately the river wasn’t very deep making navigation for her much easier than needing to actually swim. The only scene that would have made this week’s video truly over the top, is if both mother and son crossed the river together!
Thank you so much, Denise! You captured the highlights so beautifully—especially her dainty “pussyfooting” through the water! It really was a treat to share the tracking story too. And yes, that mother-son river crossing would’ve been the perfect cherry on top… maybe next time!
Hi Sean, fantastic video of the Nkoveni female crossing the sand river twice. I hope she found her son in the end. Are there crocodiles in the river.
Thanks so much, Valmai! It was such a special couple of days with her. There are crocodiles in the river, which always adds a bit of tension to crossings like that… And as for her son—stay tuned in the next Virtual Safari!
Another amazing sighting…
But question????
Did she find her son?🙏🏼
Thanks so much, Barbi! It really was an unforgettable sighting. And as for whether she found her son… you’ll have to watch the next Virtual Safari to find out!
It was indeed epic to see Nkoveni crossing the river – twice! But did she ever find her son?
Thanks so much, Mary Beth! It really was something special to witness. As for her son… there’s an update about that coming in the next Virtual Safari – stay tuned!
OMG Sean, That was one of the most epic sightings ever! Your video and images are just amazing! It looked like she had been in a fight with a wound on her. Any idea what caused that! See you later this month!
Hey Michael! Thanks so much — I’m really glad you enjoyed the footage! Yes, she did have that wound; looks like she got into a bit of a tussle, probably with her son while feeding around a carcass, maybe from another leopard or even while out hunting. Nature’s rough sometimes! Can’t wait to catch up later this month. Looking forward to having you back here!
Epic! Simply superb in every way Sean. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Al. It was such an awesome sighting.
My goodness, she really put on a show for you all! How incredible to see her cross twice!
Hey Chelsea! Absolutely, she was full of surprises that day — crossing twice was just the cherry on top! Such moments make all the waiting totally worth it.
Spectacular sighting, from beginning to end, Sean. Words fail! If forced to chose, though, those first still shots, head on, with the spray of water from her paws are beyond gold. Platinum? Diamond? Made my week!
Thanks so much, Myers! I’m thrilled those shots stood out for you—there’s something truly magical about that moment with the spray of water. Platinum or diamond, I’ll gladly take it! Made my week sharing it with you all.
Oh, and by the way: the photos of her crossing the river and shaking off the mud from her paws are sensationally good!
Incredibly beautiful! Stay away from the crocs pretty mama!