DeWetsWild conducted a two-week tour of the Kruger National Park with altogether nine people to see out 2025 and ring in 2026 and every day for the month of February I’ll be sharing just a few of the many memories our group collected.
Early evening on Christmas Day, returning to camp after our afternoon drive, we found a Leopard up a marula tree virtually on Satara’s fenceline. The Leopard stashed the remains of an impala carcass there to enjoy later, but being so close to the camp there was a throng of tourists gawking at it and it quickly decided to wait a little longer to feast on the leftovers.
Leopard and impala carcass in a marula tree
Leopard in a marula tree
Leopard in a marula tree
Leopard leaving the marula tree
Leopard leaving the marula tree
If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of South Africa’s wild places, of even if you’d just like a bit of help putting your reservations together, don’t hesitate to reach out!
DeWetsWild conducted a two-week tour of the Kruger National Park with altogether nine people to see out 2025 and ring in 2026 and every day for the month of February I’ll be sharing just a few of the many memories our group collected.
We found a Leopard up a tree with the scraps of an impala kill near Tshokwane Picnic Site one morning. Leopards are always a prize sighting and, being on one of the roads less in that part of the Park, we could enjoy the sight of the large cat lying lazily on a thick Marula branch to our hearts’ content.
Leopard in a tree with its kill near Tshokwane
Leopard in a tree with its kill near Tshokwane
Suddenly a herd of Impala came dashing from the other side of the road, heading straight to the tree in which the Leopard was. The Leopard immediately jumped up and moved down the tree, being ever the opportunist on the lookout for an easy kill. Our attention however was caught by the sight of a massive female Spotted Hyena (radio-collared as part of a research project) chasing after a newly born Impala lamb at an amazing speed. We had only a split-second glimpse of the chase but it was clear the hyena would be the victor.
Spotted Hyena chasing an impala lamb
Spotted Hyena chasing an impala lamb
With hyena and impalas vacating the scene in a flash our attention could return to the Leopard surveying the landscape from its elevate perch, having never jumped to the ground in the chaos.
Leopard in a tree near Tshokwane
Leopard in a tree near Tshokwane
If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of South Africa’s wild places, of even if you’d just like a bit of help putting your reservations together, don’t hesitate to reach out!
In October 2024 I had the immense pleasure of hosting long-time blogging friend John Steiner (of Journeys with Johnbo), his wife Lynn, John’s niece Patricia Broesder and her husband Gary on a tour of Cape Town and the Kruger National Park. In Kruger we were joined by colleagues Hannes Rossouw and Irving Knight, both experts in their respective fields.
Now, you never can guarantee that you’ll see a Leopard; they’re just such experts at camouflage that they can disappear in plain sight. We were therefore all very excited at our first leopard sighting of the trip, in the early afternoon on the main road between Letaba and Satara, though she was certainly difficult to see!
Just look how well this leopard hides in the long grass underneath the thorn bush
Our next leopard sighting was brief but thrilling – we saw a brute of a male strangling an impala he had just caught and then seconds later he pulled the still kicking antelope underneath the dark bush where we could only see glimpses of movement afterwards.
Leopard killing an impala
Another memorable leopard encounter on this trip was that of a female and two well-grown cubs who had their fresh kill stolen by a crocodile, who dragged it back into the Sabie River. All these predators also almost caused a nervous breakdown in a vervet monkey that was anxiously trying to hide in a tree stump whilst making alarm calls. The despondent cats gave us some good views later that afternoon where they lay on the ground and draped over a branch.
Vervet Monkey calling in alarm
Leopard cubs
Leopard cub
Female leopard lying on a branch
Female leopard lying on a branch – just look at the camouflage!
We drove straight past this leopard and all that gave him away was the terrible smell. Just as well that he slinked off to the river, hopefully to wash the blood off his body so that his aroma won’t scare away his next meal!
Leopard disappearing into the thick bush along the Sabie River
Here’s another leopard lying so still and beautifully blended in with its branch overlooking the Sand River that it was almost impossible to see!
Just look how well this leopard blends into its surroundings!
Up north at Shingwedzi we came across this leopard using a gully to stalk a mixed herd of waterbuck and impala grazing in the dry bed of the Shingwedzi River. Eventually though he was thwarted when he was seen by one of the sharp-eyed antelope.
Leopard stalking next to the Shingwedzi River
Leopard stalking next to the Shingwedzi River
Leopard stalking next to the Shingwedzi River
Leopard stalking next to the Shingwedzi River
Leopard stalking next to the Shingwedzi River
I am a fully accredited and legally registered tour guide (with all the necessary insurance, professional drivers license and first aid certification) – don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like me to arrange a guided tour of beautiful South Africa and all her natural wonders, like the Kruger National Park, for you as well, or even just to assist with your holiday reservations for our national parks and nature reserves throughout the country.
Midday on the last full day of our 2024 Manyeleti Magic Photo-Safari this past June we were whiling away the hours in Buffelshoek Camp, our base for the trip, photographing a variety of birds including a pair of very obliging Pearl-spotted Owlets, a pair of Red-billed Hornbills feeding their chicks in their mud-cell nest, and a family of Cardinal Woodpeckers. Our group of eager photographers were certainly kept very entertained and busy!
Red-billed Hornbill at the nest
Red-billed Hornbill nest, opening almost entirely enclosed by mud
Yellow-billed Hornbill
Cardinal Woodpecker
Pearl-spotted Owlet
Pearl-spotted Owlet
Pearl-spotted Owlet (showing eye-spots on the back of the head)
It was the commotion of a group of Vervet Monkeys that moved through the camp just minutes before that first alerted us to the fact that something dangerous was about. We soon picked out the shape of a Leopard moving through the long grass, headed for the waterhole just outside of camp. Pretty quickly we were all – cameras at the ready – in the open safari vehicle and on our way towards the beautiful but very shy animal. It didn’t drink long and crept down into the drainage line, disappearing from sight.
Leopard
We searched high and low for it for several minutes, but the leopard vanished just as quickly as it appeared. If this little Three-banded Plover, who was at the water’s edge the whole time, knew where the big cat went it wasn’t giving up the secret.
If this little Three-banded Plover, who was at the water’s edge the whole time, knew where the big cat went it wasn’t giving up the secret.
We’re already taking bookings for our 2025 Manyeleti Magic Photographic Safari and Workshop, to be conducted out of Buffelshoek Camp again in June of next year in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography. Contact us if you’d like to join this one, or if you and a group of family and friends are keen to do something similar on other dates we’d be very glad to accommodate you!
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!
Lazy Leopard in a tree near Malelane in the Kruger National Park
Lazy Leopard in a tree near Malelane in the Kruger National Park (photo by Joubert)
Lazy Leopard in a tree near Malelane in the Kruger National Park
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!
Leopard just outside Skukuza in the early morning
Leopard just outside Skukuza in the early morning
Leopard just outside Skukuza in the early morning (photo by Joubert)
Leopard just outside Skukuza in the early morning (photo by Joubert)
Leopard just outside Skukuza in the early morning (photo by Joubert)
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!
One of our very first sightings in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve – shortly after settling in at Ndzhaka Camp – was of two young Leopards. Their mother had caught an antelope for each of them and hoisted these into different trees so that the two cubs could eat in peace. One had a bushbuck, the other an impala. It was amazing being so close to the feeding leopards. They truly are beautiful animals.
Young leopard in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Young leopard in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Young leopard in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Young leopard in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Young leopard in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
The next afternoon while enjoying our drive from Buffelshoek Camp we eventually found ourselves back at the Leopard sighting just after sunset. Both the cubs were still there – in separate trees – and their mother joined them, snacking on the leftovers of the bushbuck. Below two Spotted Hyenas were waiting for scraps falling from the tree above.
Leopard Cub in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Leopard Cub in Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Female Leopard feeding on a bushbuck carcass in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Spotted Hyena, Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Getting up close to feeding leopards in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Female Leopard feeding on a bushbuck carcass in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve
Female Leopard feeding on a bushbuck carcass in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve
In the fading light I eventually had to switch to video. The female would stop feeding every now and then, growling ferociously at something unseen in the dense undergrowth. Minutes later the source of her irritation revealed itself as a male Leopard, in all likelihood the father of the cubs. He climbed into the other tree to feed on the remains of the Impala carcass. In 45 years of frequent visits to our wild places I have never seen four leopards in the same spot. An incredible experience, and I hope this video gives you a sense of that!
Heading back to Buffelshoek Camp in the dark we encountered more Spotted Hyenas in the road.
Of all the “Big 5” animals none are as difficult to find as the Leopard. Seeing one is usually the highlight of a visit to a nature reserve in South Africa. Having six sightings of these beautiful cats – of which four were on one day! – will mean our latest visit to the Kruger National Park will not soon be forgotten!
Our first sighting, near Lower Sabie late afternoon just minutes before the gates closed, was not very awe-inspiring, even by Leopard standards. Being as lazy as only cats can be this individual did not even deign to show us its face.
Lazy Leopard near Lower Sabie
Early one morning while travelling along the S56 Mphongolo Loop north of Shingwedzi we came across a pair of Leopards in a tall tree – a smaller individual very high up in the tree and visually afraid of the bigger one below guarding the remains of a kill. Visitors who were on the scene before us later shared how the male stole the female’s kill and chased her to the top of the tree where he was too heavy to get to her.
Lofty Leopard (Photo by Joubert)
The male at the lowest fork of the tree, with the kill well hidden (photo by Joubert)
The arrow indicates how high the female climbed into the tree to escape the male. By the way, parking into the veld and hanging out of your vehicle like the visitors in the Land Cruiser is not only bad etiquette but also dangerous.
After spending quite some time at the Leopards in the tree we decided to move on to breakfast at Babalala Picnic Spot when, only 4km further along the same road, we found a young and curiously calm Leopard next to the road at the turnoff to Sirheni Bushveld Camp. She posed beautifully for all the photographers in the car, not fazed in the least by our proximity! Having been treated with such grace by the young princess we slowly backed away from her so that she could repose in tranquility.
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff(Photo by Joubert)
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)
Young Leopard at the Sirheni turnoff (photo by Joubert)
Mere minutes later, still sauntering along the S56 towards Babalala, we found our third Leopard encounter for the morning where it was using a small outcrop of rocks as a vantage point and being particularly interested in a huge kudu bull lying nearby. The kudu soon saw the Leopard and did not even think the cat enough of a threat to stand up. Knowing it was outgunned, the Leopard gave the kudu a wide berth and disappeared into the dense shrubbery next to the Shisha stream.
Leopard looking out for prey from a rocky outcrop (Photo by Joubert)
Leopard looking out for prey from a rocky outcrop
Leopard descending from the rocks to try its luck with a kudu bull
Stealthily moving closer (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)
Keeping cover (photo by Joubert)
Leopard posing beautifully (photo by Joubert)
That same afternoon, still extremely excited about our morning, which by then also included sightings of other charismatic or rare species of wildlife including lions, roan antelope, tsessebes, buffaloes and elephants we found our fourth Leopard sighting of the day along the S50 Kanniedood Road southeast of Shingwedzi. The apparently heavily pregnant female was in a hunting mood and stalking a mixed herd of impala, kudu and waterbuck mingling on the bank of the river. She was soon discovered however and slinked back across the road and out of sight.
Leopard along the Shingwedzi River (Photo by Joubert)
Leopard walking over the S50 to stalk a mixed herd of antelope (photo by Joubert)
Leopard walking over the S50 to stalk a mixed herd of antelope (photo by Joubert)
Leopard slinking away after being discovered by her prey
Leopard rushing away after being discovered by her prey (photo by Joubert)
Our final Leopard sighting of the trip (and I am sure we missed more than we saw thanks to their exceptional camouflage!) was before sunrise as we left Shingwedzi for a morning drive. This was a shy individual, trying to hide behind a palm frond for a minute or two and then deciding to retreat into the riverine vegetation lining the Shingwedzi.
Shy Leopard in the early morning (photo by Joubert)
Shy Leopard in the early morning (photo by Joubert)
I made a little compilation video of some of the Leopard encounters I told you about.
The Leopard is a big cat with excellent camouflage and stealthy habits. I am sure in all our years of visiting South Africa’s wild places we’ve passed many more Leopards without seeing them than we actually did notice, but I try not to dwell on that too much… With the Kruger Park being so lush and green when we visited in December 2021 it was a wonder we saw any Leopards at all.
Even when you are lucky enough to glimpse a Leopard, often all you get to see of it is a few spots and a white tail-tip as it slinks out of view, like this one along the road between Orpen and Satara on the 23rd of December.
Leopard walking through long grass between Orpen and Satara
Leopard walking through long grass between Orpen and Satara
Most of our Leopard sightings have been in the very early morning, so it pays to get up early and be one of the first vehicles out the camp gates. We saw this big male on the S100-road with the sun still struggling to rise on an overcast morning.
Early morning Leopard along the S100
Early morning Leopard along the S100
Early morning Leopard along the S100 (photo by Joubert)
Leopards are great at climbing and that’s a good reason to scan trees big and small while out on a game drive in reserves where they occur. This beautiful lady was draped over a Marula branch hanging almost over the S36-road and so relaxed in our presence that she actually fell asleep while we watched. She probably lies in this tree very often to be so relaxed in the company of people and their vehicles. We only noticed later while going through our photos that she is blind in her right eye.
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree (photo by Joubert)
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree
Leopardess relaxing in a Marula tree
When you are blessed with a fantastic Leopard sighting it’s a memory that will stay with you forever. In the morning of the 29th of December we were travelling along the S39 road, that follows the course of the Timbavati River, towards Timbavati Picnic Spot and finding sightings rather sparse, though the bushveld scenery was as beautiful as anything you could imagine. Suddenly, within sight of the Leeubron waterhole, this magnificent creature appeared right next to the road. A big and beautiful Leopard male, so relaxed in our presence that you could imagine that it didn’t even acknowledge our existence. He came closer and closer, crossed the road behind our vehicle, and walked off into the distance, leaving us all very excitedly chattering about our luck at being in the right place at the right time!
Leopard along the Timbavati River
Timbavati Battle-scarred Leopard
Leopard along the Timbavati River
Leopard along the Timbavati River (photo by Joubert)
Leopard along the Timbavati River
Leopard along the Timbavati River
Leopard along the Timbavati River
Leopard along the Timbavati River (photo by Joubert)
Leopard along the Timbavati River (photo by Joubert)
Leopard along the Timbavati River (photo by Joubert)
Leopard along the Timbavati River (photo by Joubert)
The 2nd of January 2020, almost at the end of our Satara Summer, delivered one of the most memorable sightings of the month we spent in the Kruger National Park. About half-way between Satara and Olifants we came across this pair of Leopards, and did they put on a show to remember! Trust us; seeing Leopards like THIS happens only very rarely…
Early morning catches a languid leopardess straddling a branch
She changes her position slightly to have a better view of a herd of passing elephants
An elephants passes almost right below the young female leopard
Leopardess in a tree
Her interest peaked by a growl from the male, the leopardess moves to a lower branch
Now out of the tree, the leopardess walks towards the male…
… and disappears from view in a thicket
At first, the male was well hidden
But then he emerged with the remains of a wildebeest calf clenched in his jaws
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
Leopard male and kill
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
Leopard male and kill
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
And out he jumps, to share his meal with the female away from view
Returning to the scene later, we find the female, all muddied from a failed attempted kill, resting in a shady spot next to the road
She quickly repositions (photo by Joubert)
Leopardess eyeing an injured wildebeest calf
Leopardess in the trees
Leopardess cleaning herself, no longer interested in going after the prey that got away (photo by Joubert)
I have been visiting South Africa’s wild places for all my 40+ years, and yet there’s still many of their treasures I am yet to see. Following our September visit to the Kruger National Park I can now finally tick my first ever encounter with a leopard cub! We found the little one lazily watching the passing vehicles from a rocky outcrop along the main road between Tshokwane and Skukuza.
What luck!
Leopard cub (photo by Joubert)
Leopard cub in a rocky outcrop between Tshokwane and Skukuza
Leopard cub in a rocky outcrop between Tshokwane and Skukuza
Leopard cub in a rocky outcrop between Tshokwane and Skukuza
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