The morning started with the unmistakable sound of impala and kudu alarm calls, echoing through the bush. We knew a predator was nearby, and our search led us to the Manyelethi River. There, we spotted her—the elusive Ngungwe Female Leopard, emerging from the dense riverine vegetation, gracefully crossing the sandy riverbed.
Perfect timing – The alarm calls led us to the Manyelthi River bed and we were there just in time to watch the Ngungwe Female cross over in the early morning light.
Young inquisitive beautiful female, bordering on independence as of November 2021
Born in 2020 during the quieter days of the pandemic, she had once been known as a shy and reclusive leopard, rarely seen and even more rarely photographed. On this particular morning however, she offered us one of those rare and breathtaking sightings by moving through and posing in just about every iconic spot you could think of.
We followed her as she moved with purpose, scent marking and winding through the landscape rich with boulders and thickets – now the core part of her territory. We watched as she effortlessly scaled the iconic boulders of Southern Cross Koppies, pausing to scan her surroundings with a calm authority. This was no longer the timid leopard we once knew – the Ngungwe Female has grown into a confident adult with a commanding presence.
Climbing over the boulders with confidence as she spots the trio of klipspringers.
As we followed her ascent, she suddenly froze, her gaze fixed on a trio of klipspringers perched on a nearby rocky outcrop. The small antelope, with their sharp eyesight and sure-footed agility, had spotted her almost as quickly as she had spotted them. They began to sound their unique whistling alarm call, a high-pitched note that echoed across the rocks – another highlight for me as this is an alarm call I have only ever heard once before. The Ngungwe Female, unfazed by their alarm, watched them intently for a few moments before continuing on her way, the interaction a reminder of the finely tuned balance of predator and prey, now that she had lost the element of surprise it was no longer worth her time or energy to go after these klipspringers.
A trio of klipspringers eventually spotted the Ngungwe female high up on the boulders and gave off their unique whistling alarm call.
Eventually she seemly disappeared into one of the smaller river beds nearby and we thought we might lose sight of her there. Most of us in the vehicle were eagerly peering down to the river bed on the left while one of my guests casually mentioned: “I think there is something lying in the sun on the rocks over there” – now pointing to the right of us. There she was perfectly posing looking into the golden morning light.
Posing into the golden morning light.
At this point we thought, surely things can’t get any better when ranger Reece Biehler let us know he had spotted a male leopard passing through the area nearby. The Ngungwe Female then continued to spoil us by climbing high up into the branches of a knobthorn tree observing the Xitsalala Male as he passed through her territory.
Another spectacular photo opportunity from the branches of a knobthorn tree as the Ngungwe Female stares down towards the Xitsalala Male as he passes through the area.
Now five years old, the Xitsalala Male could be looking to establish a territory of his own, but the Ngungwe Female will make sure he is well-established before she pursues him to mate and have cubs.
The Xitsalala Male watched the Ngungwe Female from below for a short while before he disappeared down into the thickets along the Manyelthi River.
A handsome young male leopard that originates from Ngala in the Timbavati Reserve north of here. He had a sister who made it to independence
Without a doubt an exceptional sighting of the Ngungwe Female moving confidently across these iconic spots and her behaviour hinting at a possible future – one where these boulders could possibly serve as a den site for her cubs.
The Ngungwe Female wraps up an exceptional morning as she descends the knob thorn tree.
Thanks for the update. I had actually forgotten about this beautiful female. Good to see. She’s doing so well.
My pleasure Jos, she really is thriving at the moment and we hope to see a lot more of her.
Hi, it’s not easy to keep a track of all leopards, so there are some that you usually see and report about, other that are shy or live on borders of reserves. She is among the ones I had difficulty to remember; her mother, the Piccadilly female, have you got any news on her? This male is also new to me, very handsome, it seems a new generation of leopards is about to start… without forgetting the “old”. I’ve recently seen pictures of the Senegal Bush male you took in Londolozi, such a great male.
Hi Francesca, as you say, it can be tough to keep up with them all. The Piccadilly female ceded the majorirty of her territory on Londolozi to her daughter and shifted her territory further east onto the neighbouring reserve. We do still see her from time to time, and is also doing very well. There certainly is a new generation starting to make their mark, but I do agree about the Senegal Bush male.
Thanks Kelsey, she is so beautiful. I haven’t seen her yet, or her mother Piccadilly (who I think is the older sister of the 3 Rivers female?) Maybe I’ll be lucky when I come back to Founders early November!
I hope you do see her then Suzanne! Yes, Picadilly is the older sister to Three Rivers 🙂
Beautiful female! I saw her only briefly once, very shy and skittish. She’s quite a beauty now!
She certainly is a beauty! Hopefully you will she her again on your next trip 🙂
Kelsey, what a great blog today. Watching the leopard dynamics is fascinating.
Thanks William 🙂
Ps have you got any news on the Thunbela female? She was sooo nice!
She seems to be setting up a territory west of our boundary but is still doing well!
Her mother is the Piccadilly female and I had completely forgotten about the Ngungwe female. She is absolutely beautiful and the image of her lying on the rock in the sun makes her shine even brighter. Thanks for the update Kelsey.
Pleasure Valmai. She has been out of the spotlight in her younger years but as she matures I think we will be seeing more and more of her.
Wow, what a great post Kelsey, and so many iconic shots of this amazing leopard! Wishing her the best going forward!
Thanks Paul! Hopefully we will be seeing a lot more of her.
Terrific to read your update Kelsey on Ngungwe and your accompanying photos. I’ve only seen her once as a skittish cub in April 2021 and it was a very quick encounter! It would be great to see her again but good to know she’s doing well and still in the area.
Glad you enjoyed the update Denise and hopefully you will see more than just a quick encounter on your next trip!
What a fortunate day with her. She looks very healthy. Is it odd to see three klipspringers together? I thought they were mostly paired. Perhaps one is their calf?
It truly was a special morning with her Chelsea. In this case, one of the Klipspringers is the offspring 🙂
Beautiful pictures of this amazing female leopard, Kelsey.
Thank you Christa 🙂