At 17 years old, the Mashaba Female remains one of Londolozi’s most iconic leopards. Born into the Sunsetbend Lineage that has shaped the very landscape of leopard viewing on the reserve, she has held a special place in the hearts of past and present guides, trackers, and guests alike.
Londolozi's oldest territorial female. Distinguished by her nose spot, this Sunsetbend matriarch's legacy lives on through her daughters.
In recent years, her movements have become increasingly sporadic. With no territory to defend and no cubs to raise, she has spent long periods ranging far south into the greater Sabi Sands Reserve, well beyond the areas where we used to view her regularly. It had been almost a year since she was last seen at Londolozi, so it came as quite a pleasant surprise when she recently reappeared in the central parts of the reserve.
The first sighting of the Mashaba Female in over 9 months! She was found near a waterhole just 500 meters from Londolozi camps.
A Memorable Sighting
A couple of mornings later, we came across her resting on top of a termite mound in an open clearing. She lay completely relaxed, offering us a photographic opportunity that felt almost too good to be true. It was an unforgettable moment, especially for one of my guests, who holds a deep personal connection to the Leopards of Londolozi and has followed the Mashaba Female’s story for years. For her, this sighting was more than just a stroke of luck – it was symbolic.
The Mashaba Female sitting perfectly on a termite mound.
She then groomed herself before heading off into the long grass in search of some prey.
A Shift in Behaviour
At her age, it’s unlikely that the Mashaba Female is trying to re-establish a territory. Older leopards often become nomadic once they lose the physical condition to defend core areas against younger, more dominant females. Their movements are largely governed by opportunity to follow prey availability, avoiding pressure, and seeking out territorial males.
A Return with Meaning?
Still, her return has sparked some debate. Is she coming back to familiar ground in the final stages of her life, instinctively drawn to the area where she was born and raised? Or is this just another waypoint in an increasingly unpredictable movement pattern?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that leopards consciously return to a place to die. However, from a behavioural point of view, it makes sense that older individuals would gravitate toward areas they know well, places with reduced competition, familiar pathways, relatives, and known terrain.
A Leopard of Legacy
Regardless of the reason for her return, the Mashaba Female’s impact on Londolozi is monumental. She is the daughter of the Vomba Female. Through her many litters, she has contributed immensely to the local leopard gene pool. Two of her offspring, the Nkoveni Female and Ximungwe Female, and their offspring in turn still occupy territories across the reserve.
The Ximungwe Female and her son drinking from a waterhole.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
The two newest leopards being raised on the reserve that are descendants of the Mashaba Female are both Males. The Ximungwe Female’s son is 9 Months of age, growing quickly and is very inquisitive. And The Nkoveni Female’s son is nearing independence, and at the age of 18 months, he has been spending more time apart from his mother.
The next generation of the Sunsetbend lineage and the grandson of Mashaba. This is the Nkoveni Young Male, a beautiful young leopard nearing independence.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Her recent sighting serves as a powerful reminder of the passage of time and the enduring stories that shape this landscape. Whether this was a fleeting visit or a more prolonged return, it was a privilege to witness her again and a moment that will stay with us for some time.
A magnificent capture of the Mashaba Female from 2022.
Thanks for this update on the Mashaba Female, Nick. I often saw her when I was at Londolozi and it’s always great to get the latest news on one’s favourite animals. She looks old but still in good shape for her age. I hope for her that she can live her final months or maybe even years somewhere on Lodnolozi’s ground, near the area she has roamed and defended for the many years.
Pleasure Christa! I hope she spends a few more months on Londolozi too.
17 years is an amazing age for a leopard , just wishing her well
Wow such wonderful news! I have been waiting for long to hear something about her. For her age she’s really beautiful, her face shape very good and body still not thin she preserved a massive structure even if thinner. Her intact ears and beautiful expression, just a bit sunken eyes and her nose leather is greying, her nose pad still partially pink… she’s the ultimate queen, I can’t imagine her vanishing. Her similarity to the Nkoveni Female and her grandson is very clear… spectacular
Thanks for the comment Francesca, she is looking old but still brilliant for her age!
To hearing sorry
It’s so nostalgic to see Mashaba, especially looking so good & healthy. I’d like to think she’s been drawn to the area where she was born and raised, instinctively revisiting her youth and happy times and feeling safe and familiar. Too much anthropomorphic thinking, I know…
I would like to think she is returning to her “soul” place – still my screensaver with her cub after 10 years. A privilege to have known her.
No matter the reason for returning to her former home within Londolozi’s boundaries, it great to see how good she looks for her age. Like many other blog readers, I’ve been following her life as she experienced successes and failures, cheering her on no matter what transpired. I’ve only spent time with her once, 2023, and it was magical. I really wish I could spend a bit more time with her, but since I’m not visiting until next April, she may have moved on, literally or figuratively. Time will tell… there have been females that have lived to 18 years so fingers crossed she will challenge and beat that number. By the way, beautiful portrait by Kate!
Thanks Nick, she still looks in really good condition. Her mother Vomba was the 1st wild leopard we’d ever seen.
I think the Nottens female still holds the record at 18 years (?), hopefully Mashaba will match her.
Hi Suzanne, Thanks for the comment. Yes, Nottens and the Xidulu Female got to 17 years old before getting caught by the lions.
Great news, she ist still a beautiful leopard.
Hi Nick, this was a lovely surprise to see the Mashaba female again. She has been away far too long. That mark on her nose is own to her. Her two female daughters, Nkoveni and Ximungwe, with their young sons makes a complete family. The Sunsetbend lineage will carry on through their cubs. Thanks for sharing this wonderful news of seeing the Mashaba female, 17 years old is a high age for a leopard.
Mashaba has been very important to my Londolozi and healing journey. My theory is she came north to hold a family meeting after Xymungue was injured. She told Nkoveni to head south while she hung out close to her injured daughter’s territory until she was out of the woods. Now that Xymungue is able to hunt properly, Mashaba has gone back to her nomadic ways. I put nothing past that one. 🐾🐾💕🐾🐾
The Mashaba Female is the source of the call name for American Kennel Club show beagle Mashaba (BIS RBIS BISS GCHP Maple Ridge K-Run I’ve Got a Secret). Mashaba the Beagle will soon turn 7, as the Mashaba 3:3 Female is 17. Mashaba the Beagle has won her breed variety at the Westminster Kennel Club and the AKC National Championship, and was the top 13″ beagle in the US in 2021 and 2022. Many thanks to our Londolozi guide Byron Serrao for introducing us to this magnificient leopard in 2018.
Fantastic. I fondly remember seeing the Mashaba and Ximungwe female over a period from a few months old to independence. I heard from Nick Kleer that he saw Mashaba recently at Kirkman’s.
Thanks for the comment Al, Yes she was on Londolozi and then headed back south through Mala Mala to Kirkmans.
How special that she has returned, even if only briefly. It’s so wonderful to hear she is still alive and well. She has made such an incredible contribution to the immediate and worldwide Londolozi family. I hope her remaining time is peaceful, but when the end finally comes, that it is very quick.
Nick, Thanks for this wonderful post and the reminder of how special it is to be able to follow the lineage of the Londolozi leopards! You know that she is our favorite and yes, it was emotional for Terri when we found her with you and Joy! We have been honored to know her since she was a cub and she is part of the special All Heart Fund and our work with GWF. It was the special image of two flicking tails that became the shape of a heart, that Terri got of her and her mother, that inspired the name of our fund!