There’s something special about a bush walk. The pace is slower, the senses sharper, and the wilderness feels a little more alive when you’re on foot. And for Ranger Kelsey Clark, who has now set off for “greener pastures,” if such a thing exists outside Londolozi, there was one thing she wanted to do before she left: one last walk in the north with a few friends.
So the five of us, Kelsey, Nick, Souch, Fran, and I, set out with no agenda whatsoever. No plan. No pressure. Just the simple joy of ambling through the bush together, soaking up the morning and the banter. And so often the best moments in the bush are usually the ones you didn’t plan for.
It was a chance to talk nonsense, marvel at the small things, such as ageing a tortoise, or witnessing the fascinating courtship process of a pair of snails. A first for me, despite knowing far too much about snail romance. The vibe was pure appreciation for the bush, and perhaps that quiet energy is exactly what the bush responds to.
Our only real goal was a good spot for coffee and rusks (a non-negotiable for any proper walk). But the bush had other plans. Two relaxed hyenas resting nearby caught our attention, and before we knew it, a leopard thudded out of a tree in the distance and darted away. Moments later, after returning with the vehicle, we realised it wasn’t just one leopard… but two. The Ngungwe Female and her cub—very much alive, healthy, and feeding on a scrub hare while the mother drank nearby.
For Kelsey’s farewell walk, I don’t think we could have asked for anything more. A morning of friendship, laughter, little wonders, and a last-minute leopard sighting that felt like the bush gifting her a perfect send-off and her first proper view of the Ngungwe Female’s Cub.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
Godspeed, Kelsey, as you begin new adventures. The encounter with the Ngungwe leopardess and her cub was thrilling. But I also relished the snail sex class.
It was such an incredible experience seeing her on foot then finding the two of them afterwards. The snail mating was fascinating.
Very exciting. Enjoyed the banter and as always the viewing.
Found it interesting that you walked in single file a lot of the video. Is this by design?
Thanks so much, yes when you are on a bushwalk, best practice is to walk in single file with the rifle in the front. Should you encounter something this is the safest and easiest way to manage the situation.
Kelsey, wishing you the very best with your ‘what’s next’. We will never forget our September 2024 sighting of the Makhatini female and her three cubs (among a whole host of other sightings). What a special bush walk to sear into your memory.
So Kelsey, it was Megan and ‘V’ who found the Makhatini family for us BUT we know if we were traveling with you, you would have found the same. I had a memory blip with my original post.
That’s wonderful that her cub is alive and well! What a master of hiding him she was.
She has done so well to keep the cub hidden.
What a splendid walk! To see two Leopards, mother and cub and to see them later again, drinking some water. Es specially as it was the Ngungwe Female and her cub who, if I remember correctly, had been missed for some time. So the cub is well, the mother is also fine and you all had such a wonderful farewell walk.
Actually, in April 23, I was walking with Barry and Tshepo in the Southeast along the river where the big trees are and we also saw two different leopards. When we arrived, a female jumped off a tree and went down the river bank where she vanished. Only minutes later, we saw a male leopard; he was standing there watching us, we were watching him, till he also vanished into the bush.
An absolutely exciting walk! I can understand very well, how exhilarated and excited you must have felt seeing the Ngungwe and cub.
It was an incredible walk. And so great to hear that you also had a similar and exhilarating experience seeing a leopard while on a bush walk.
What a special final bush walk @kelseyclarke, the bush always delivers! We’re so sad you are leaving Londo and won’t be there in January but wish you all the best for the next chapter. Whoever pairs up with Rich and guides us has big boots to fill. We miss you already. All the best, the Douglas fam.
Hi Sean, this is amazing walking in the bush with four other Rangers. It is a pity Kelsey is leaving, but I wish her everything of the best on her new endeavor. Seeing the leopards in the wild and on foot is such an experience, and seeing the two hyenas as well, can just highlight the whole walk experience. I am sure Kelsey can take this video and make it her own, as a last walk on Londolozi, reminding her of her time on Londolozi as a Ranger.
Being on foot in the bush is such an awesome way to experience. Kelsey will be missed but I am sure she will have a lovely time on her next endeavour.
What an absolutely brilliant virtual safari today Sean, following along with you and some of the team for Kelsey’s last bush walk. She will be missed as her stories and images have been fantastic over the past few years, so cheers to you Kelsey and all the best to wherever your path leads you.
Returning to your walk, your explanation relating to the mating snails was fascinating, as the subject is one that I’ve never thought about. I see snails from time to time whilst working in my yard, but they’ve always been single – never two together like what you photographed in such detail. There is always something new to learn…. I was surprised the hyenas didn’t run after seeing you initially, but then it all made sense once Ngungwe jumped from the tree. Opportunistic as always, they knew a meal was somewhere near. More thrilling and importantly, Kelsey heard the thump and soon the leopard appeared. However the piece de resistance was your sighting of Ngungwe drinking at the small pan, followed by great viewing of her cub who is very much alive. That was a walk that none of you will forget anytime soon, generating many stories to come…..
All in all it was such a phenomenal time out in the bush. We all had such fun saw great things and will remember it for ages. The snails mating was so interesting to see and to have it all topped off with seeing the Ngungwe Female on foot and then seeing her cub.
Sean, What a fantastic experience! We loved seeing all of you out there together! Much good luck to Kelsey!
Thank you so much, Michael. We had such a good time out there.
Super sighting – good luck Kelsey
Thanks so much, Ian.
Oh, I’m soooo glad the cub is alive! So, never let hope fade… I often observed mating snails already as a child, I find it fascinating, no matter what sort of snail it is regarding! A very nice way by Kelsey to say goodbye… funny and entertaining. Perfect! I wish you well and will miss your blog editions
We are all delighted that the cub is alive and that we had such a great walk together.
It was a great send off for Kelsey.
Is this the cub we thought was deceased since hadn’t been seen in several weeks??? Sorry I don’t have my flow chart available! 😉 If so…GREAT NEWS! Good luck to Kelsey! Cannot imagine how much she is going to miss you all!
Yes, this is that one. We hadn’t seen it for a while and then Reece wrote a blog suggesting that it was gone. Then we had a brief glimpse, then nothing again for about two weeks and then this sighting.
Ok, snails mating (and the process!) is by far the most fascinating thing I have seen and learned this year. And what a fantastic final bush walk to spot a leopard on foot, and then find a mother and cub at the water hole. Best wishes to Kelsey in her new adventure.