The Kruger National Park has a healthy Leopard population and the Skukuza-area of the Park is renowned for excellent encounters with these big cats, especially if you know where and when to look for them. During our short visit earlier in January we had three memorable Leopard sightings to share with you.
We were still readying our cameras at the Malelane Gate shortly after arriving when some kind folks told us about this Leopard lazing in a tree just a few kilometers into the Park on the way to Skukuza. We were grateful it was still in the same spot when we got there – starting your visit with a Leopard sighting is a very good omen of things to come!
Our next Leopard encounter was with this individual of whom we caught only a quick glimpse along the main road leading to Lower Sabie from Skukuza before it melted away in the lush summer vegetation.
In January the Park’s Rest Camps open their gates at 04h30 in the morning, with there then being still quite a while before first light. Skukuza’s gates had just been swung open and we joined the first few cars heading out when this brute of a Leopard male stepped out onto the road at the 4-way crossing not even a kilometer further. In our wild places an early start to the day is often handsomely rewarded!
We’d love for you to join DeWetsWild on a guided tour of the Kruger National Park or to help you arrange a self-guided visit. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
DeWetsWild 
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They are so majestic. Thank you for sharing.
It is our pleasure to share our country’s beautiful places and inhabitants with people who appreciates them, Lakshmi – Thank you!
Gorgeous!!
Oh absolutely, Kathy!
Julle is bevoorreg om sommer drie keer in een trip luiperds te sien. Daardie een wat so lekker in die boom hang lyk min gepla met die wêreld. Maar sjoe, hoe mooi is jou foto’s van die ou grote vroegoggend – ek sal bly wees om hom vanuit die motor te sien en nie te voet nie!
Dit bly maar n onskatbare seen om plekke in ons land te he waar diere soos hierdie nog gedy
Sheer bliss!
We couldn’t have asked for more, Anne. And yet we got more! That’s what makes a visit to the Kruger Park, actually any nature area, so special. There’s always something beautiful or amazing, or both, to see.
Ek kon nog nooit ñ luiperd so mooi sien soos op jou oggend fotos nie, de Wet.
Beslis n ryke beloning vir ons vroeg opstaan, Una!
O, hy is so ‘n pragdier!
Daar is darem maar min so mooi, Tannie Frannie, as n luiperd!