The Ultimate Leopard Safari

Here in the bush, we are fortunate to witness these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat. There is nothing quite like stumbling across a leopard and her cubs making their way across the sand tracks, or watching a large male as he drags an impala up a tree.

If seeing leopards is high up on your bucket list, you’re in luck! Leopard Hills is one of the best places to see leopards in Africa. We have a relaxed population of leopards who call this territory home. Your guide will even know a few by name, thanks to regular sightings.

Here are a few individuals you can ask your guide about:

• Ravenscourt is a large male leopard – the big boss of the area. He lost his mother at a year old – most leopards stay with their mothers until the age of 2 – and has been fending for himself ever since. He is named after an area in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and his spirit ensures he’s not one to be messed with.
• You might stumble across Khokovela, a gorgeous young leopardess who has successfully raised cubs in this uncompromising world. She is the daughter of Thlangisa and sister of Basile. These fierce females are formidable hunters and skilled survivors. Thlangisa means ‘playful one.’ She is one of the most successful mothers we have on the reserve. Raising many cubs has given her endless patience and she is one of the most relaxed leopards we have on the reserve. Sighting her is a real treat!
• Basile, Khokovela’s sister, has a light complexion. Thus, her name means “the light one”. She is a favourite of Stuart Buy, one of the field guides at Leopard Hills.
• Thamba hails from the northern Sabi, but has established his territory in our area. He is the son of Tingana, a formidable male from the north.

There are many more characters our guides would love to tell you about. You can read more detail about the Sabi Sand Leopards.

Watching these cats interact and thrive gives us immense joy. Sadly, as we are merely witnesses to the unfolding of their life paths, there are moments of heartache, too. Nature can seem like an unforgiving place, but it is the one place where the rules, though harsh at times, apply to all equally.

We are constantly in awe of these animals’ ability to survive against all odds and consider ourselves the best place for leopard safaris in South Africa if your aim is to sight colourful, curious characters with big hearts.

1.) Successful leopards can live up to 15 years in the bush.
2.) Leopards are largely silent, unlike their cousin the lion, and sometimes emit a cough-like call.
3.) They like rocky outcrops and dense riverine bush.
4.) After lions, leopards are the second biggest African cat and can weigh between 60 and 70 kg.
5.) Leopards rely on the element of surprise to catch their prey – either via stalking or ambush attacks. They can manage bursts of speed of up to 60 km/h, but won’t keep up the chase for very long. Remember, energy conservation is a key element of survival in the wild.
6.) Leopards can haul animals heavier than themselves up a tree.
7.) On average, a leopard consumes about 400 kg of meat per year, which equates to about 20 kills.

Book your stay at Leopard Hills for an incredible luxury safari experience jam-packed with breathtaking wildlife sightings, including that of the elusive leopard.

If you’re interested in experiencing these cats in the wild, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our reservations desk: book@leopardhills.com.

Alternatively, click here and make use of the quick and seamless online booking process and start imagining your ideal vacation today.

We look forward to welcoming you to Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve.

Sources: www.krugerpark.co.za; www.britannica.com