Leopard interaction – Sabi Sand Reserve

The year 2009 started with a bang and as in previous years, safari in this part of Africa has been phenomenal. Below is a sighting that, for me as a guide and photographer, stood out and I will remember for the rest of my life. Being based at Leopard Hills for the last 6 years has offered me the opportunity to experience what so few will ever have the chance to see and experience, let alone photograph.

The Sabi Sands are world renowned for its leopard viewing and in the Western Sector it is no exception. We have had no less than 30-50 sightings a month of Africa’s perfect predator and the photographic opportunities have been nothing short of mind blowing.

One morning my guests and I decided to leave camp a little earlier in search of the “elusive” one… lucky for us my tracker Abraham Sibuyi has more than 14 years experience in tracking, a skill he learned and inherited from his father and grandfather. We were only about a kilometer from camp when Abraham stopped me and said “ingwe” (the Shangaan word for leopard). Abraham and I have worked together for more than 4 years and we understand each other perfectly. Abraham immediately jumped off his specially designed seat, situated on the bonnet of the Land Rover, and followed the tracks on foot.

We were about 2 kilometers from where Abraham first spotted the male leopard’s tracks when he suddenly came to a halt. He turned to face us and said they must be right here. His words haven’t even left his lips when I turned around and spotted a male leopard, known as the “Tekwaan male”, lying in a Marula Tree. Abraham jumped into the vehicle and as we approached our leopard he said “look there is a female leopard under the tree as well”. The female then jumped into the tree and proceeded to “flirt” with the male leopard. Watching two leopards in a tree in perfect golden light was a wildlife photographer’s dream come true.

It is well documented that female leopards will be the one to initiate the mating. The female, known to us as the “Tai Dam female”, did everything in her power to seduce the male but without any success. Eventually the male had had enough of this and with claws out, swiped at the female. He then turned around and with the utmost elegance climbed down the tree and disappeared into the thickets nearby; the female was quick to follow him and also disappeared. As we left the sighting shortly after, we were left absolutely breathless and couldn’t believe that we had just witnessed such a magical moment in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

Marius Coetzee
Head Guide – Leopard Hills
For more of Marius’ photography, check out his blog.



One Response to “ Leopard interaction – Sabi Sand Reserve ”

1. marten says:

   July 4, 2009 at 2:14 pm

   great images! the little light reflections in his eyes are amazing, well done. Keep us up to date!