The late afternoon light has a way of revealing the bush’s finer details. Shadows stretch, colours soften, and animals that remained hidden during the heat of the day begin to stir. It was during one of these golden-hour game drives that we were reminded, once again, why the Tortoise Pan Male Leopard has become such a compelling presence on Londolozi in recent weeks.
The Tortoise Pan male rests in this marula tree. The dangling legs and tail, and his dappled coat was what caught our eye.
Born 2016 to Ndzanzeni Female, royal descendant of Mother Leopard. Now a dominant force in the north.
We were moving slowly along a relatively new stretch of road when a flicker of movement high in a marula tree caught our attention. There, draped effortlessly across a thick horizontal branch, lay the Tortoise Pan Male. His powerful frame seemed almost too large for the tree, yet he rested with the ease of an animal completely at home. The marula’s leaves filtered the afternoon sunlight onto his coat, igniting the rosettes along his flanks in warm hues of gold and amber. From our vantage point below, it was one of those sightings that caused conversation to fade into quiet appreciation.
He had likely been there for some time, using the elevated position to survey the area or escape the lingering warmth of the day. Every so often, he lifted his head, scanning the surrounding bush. There was no tension in his posture, no urgency. From a guiding perspective, these moments feel particularly special. They suggest familiarity, not only with the landscape, but increasingly with this part of the Londolozi property itself.
Over the past few weeks, it has become increasingly evident just how often the Tortoise Pan Male leopard is being encountered here. Once considered more peripheral to the area, his presence is now a regular feature of our game drives. Fresh tracks criss-crossing the roads in the early mornings, scent marks on prominent trees, and repeated visual sightings all point toward a shift that is difficult to ignore.
The Tortoise Pan Male and all dominant male leopards of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve have noticeable scars and facial markings that tell the stories of their past and their rise to dominance in a very leopard-dense area.
When dominant males start pushing boundaries, it usually happens gradually. They don’t redraw their territories overnight. Instead, you’ll see a steady pattern: more sign, more confident movement, and a leopard that looks increasingly comfortable in areas where you didn’t often find him before.
That’s why the idea of a southward movement is starting to make sense. The Tortoise Pan Male has been moving through more open spaces with ease, sometimes in good daylight, and showing very little concern about being seen. Those are the kinds of small behavioural clues that suggest a leopard is testing space — and possibly beginning to claim it.
From my perspective, witnessing this process is fascinating. Leopards are remarkably adaptable animals, constantly responding to pressure from rival males, prey availability, and the movements of females. A southward expansion of his territorial area could be influenced by any combination of these factors. There have been signs of activity from other males further north, along with increased female movement within Londolozi’s boundaries. For a dominant male, such changes represent both opportunity and challenge.
The Tortoise Pan male carefully descends the Marula tree after scanning the surrounding area.
Eventually, he stirred. He shifted his weight, stretched, and climbed down the marula with ease. At the base of the tree he paused, nose lifted, taking in the air for a few seconds before slipping off into the thickets and disappearing as quietly as he’d been found.
For guests, sightings like these are often remembered as isolated highlights, a leopard in a tree, bathed in afternoon light. For us as guides, they are chapters in a much larger, evolving story. Each encounter adds context, helping us understand how this male is navigating a changing landscape and possibly redefining his place within it.
If his recent movements are anything to go by, the Tortoise Pan Male is becoming an increasingly important figure on Londolozi. Whether this southward shift becomes permanent remains to be seen, but for now, his growing presence has added a palpable sense of anticipation to every drive.
A beautifully textured photograph from a few years ago, showcasing the size and stature of the Tortoise Pan male.
Out here, the bush reveals its stories slowly. And sometimes, those stories begin with something as simple — and as extraordinary — as a leopard resting in a Marula tree, quietly reminding us that change is always underway.
Thanks for the updates. Which other males are in that area? And which resident females? Will be nice if the TP male can extend the royal bloodline further.
Thanks for that story, it is lovely , that this Leopard comes more and more back to Londolozi.
Hi Nick, it’s difficult to stay totally out of the scene…. the longer a leopard shows his /her temperament and unique story, I think it’s impossible not to feel some connection, while they don’t know I exist and you are a guy, sometimes even sort of a friendly neighbour, passing by. Who knows? The connection between John Varty and Manana was unique. I see the spectacular Tortoise Pan male as a sort of relinquished guy, direct from the royal line, as an imposing king. I’m glad he’s so powerful and leaves his genes around, the Ndzanzeni female had only him as a successful offspring, isn’t it? I still hope she may have a new daughter in the future…. she’s a temper, lately seen mating with the Maxim male and the Mashaba female mating with him , all the Three together…. and then the fight with the hyena on her prey….. all great leopards. Than you so much.
Ps have you got any news on the Mashaba and Ndzanzeni females?
How wonderful he seems to be extending his territory back into Londolozi. I first saw him as a megacute 2 month old cub, then several times more as he made his journey to full independence. He’s certainly picked up some scars since then! I so hope I can see him when I come back in November.
I don’t recall having seen the scar across his nose before. Maybe it’s been awhile since I’ve seen a recent photo of him. It would be wonderful to have him on Londolozi more regularly.
Hi Nic, thanks for the update on the Tortoise Pan male. It will be great for him to expand his territory, also seeking new females to mate with. Being good blood line from the Ndzanzeni female, he needs to expand his territory to get his gens going forward. He is a large male and aging quickly, he is already 10 years old. But the news is positive and we hope for the best.
I saw him about 18 months ago; nothing compares with watching leopards. They are such characters and so beautiful.
I am really looking forward to seeing all my favourites soon.
Looking at the last photo of Tortoise Pan walking across the cracked mud brought back memories of the first time I spent time with him in November, 2018. He was resting near a mud wallow inhabited by a very cranky hippo, after spending some minutes figuring out how to find a comfortable position on the dried, cracked mud. For a not yet independent or named leopard, his size was astonishing. So for me, if all his time away from his natal area has somehow brought him back home, I’m thrilled. Another dominant male leopard is needed in the northern part of the territory given the population of young females in the area. I’m counting down the days until I arrive once again to my favorite place in the world, and hopefully I will enjoy a similar encounter viewing him in the north, a full circle moment.
As a descendant of the original Mother Leopard (great-great-great-grandson), it also makes him a royal son of Londolozi! Nic, what is the furthest south you have seen him? I mark sightings on Google Earth for a territory map and would appreciate any update for the Londolozi side as well. He is an amazing cat!
He has certainly matured into an impressive looking male, bigger/bulkier than I remember his father Inyathini being. I first saw him in 2018 when he was in a tree across from another tree where his mother was feeding, impressive then too.