One of the most exhilarating things about an African safari is the stories — the real-life dramas unfolding in the wild. It’s like stepping into a live-action soap opera, but instead of scripted characters, it’s the animals playing their roles in nature’s grand production. The best part? Your guides and trackers know every twist and turn, filling you in on the rivalries, alliances, and family sagas.
When it comes to leopards, their stories are particularly captivating. Known for their elusive nature, these spotted cats like their space, spending a lot of time in trees by themselves. Each leopard has a unique tale — mothers raising their cubs in the shadows, young males challenging for new territory, and seasoned females holding their ground. Guides often recognize them by their distinct markings and behaviors, offering glimpses into their daily lives that few are lucky enough to witness.
When Sandy visited Africa in November 2024, she had the rare privilege of encountering several leopards, each with their own captivating story. From powerful matriarchs defending their territory to curious cubs navigating their world, these moments were unforgettable. Let’s dive into the stories of the leopards she crossed paths with.
Tintswalo Safaris always deliver. And during my visit this past November, the magic was alive. A morning of complete exhilaration being on safari. It is very hot here so we were leaving camp at 4:00 am to beat the heat (and see the sunrise.) Being out in the massive Manyeleti Reserve without anyone else is a privilege. Manyeleti is not a busy reserve and we hardly came across another vehicle throughout my time
A beautiful leopard. This girl is about 3.5 to 4 years old and is called Xongile which means beautiful. Something I didn’t know about female leopards is they slice up their territory and give to their daughters.
After leaving Tintswalo, Sandy headed to the Malamala Game Reserve, staying at the Main Camp in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Sabi is known for their leopards. Piccadilly is a well-known leopard residing in the MalaMala Game Reserve, which is part of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa.
I had the privilege of spending time with Piccadilly, a 14 year old leopard, who has two living sisters and has two grown youngsters that have moved out. Have a look at Piccadilly and see if you can see the 3 top spots on each side of her face. This is one of the many ways she is identified.
Piccadilly was born in December 2013 and is a notable resident of South Africa’s Malamala Game Reserve. She spent her early years in Malamala before expanding her territory. By early 2018, she began venturing into neighboring reserves, such as Londolozi, possibly seeking to establish her own domain.
Throughout her life, the Piccadilly female has been an exemplary mother, successfully raising multiple litters. Her dedication is evident as she keeps a vigilant eye on her cubs during their playful activities. These intimate family moments have been captured and shared, offering insights into leopard behavior.
Her presence in Malamala has been well-documented, with rangers and photographers chronicling her movements and interactions. For instance, in November 2021, she was observed near Manyeleti Crossing, indicating her continued prominence in the area. For those interested in witnessing the Piccadilly female and her cubs in action, MalaMala’s official YouTube channel features recent footage capturing these intimate family moments. These videos provide a closer look at the dynamics between the Piccadilly female and her young, offering a unique perspective on leopard behavior in their natural habitat.
After leaving Malamala, I experienced an out-of-the-world sighting in the Savanna Private Game Reserve, leaving even our guide, Jamie, and tracker, Ronald in awe. Wow! We were able to track a leopard through the entire experience, from sitting on an anthill to her graceful, calculated pursuit of her prey, and ultimately carrying it up the tree.
Rixaka is a female leopard, about 2.5 years old with 3 spots on the left of her face and two on right. Remember the top spots (amongst other things) is how they mark her pattern. Rixaka means family or heritage in the local language.
Rixaka is a prominent female leopard frequently observed at Savanna Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve. As she matures and asserts herself, Rixaka is poised to become a dominant figure in this prime region, shaping the dynamics of the leopard population for years to come.
Rixaka has demonstrated remarkable hunting prowess and adaptability. In one notable instance, she was observed inspecting the undergrowth and emerged with a porcupine, highlighting the diverse diet of leopards. In another event, Rixaka successfully hunted an impala, but the kill was subsequently taken by her father, Ravenscourt. Her mother, Boulders, then arrived and also fed on the impala, resulting in a rare sighting of three leopards interacting over a single kill. You can see the video on Savanna Private Game Reserve Instagram Channel here.
The sightings didn’t end there. I have been at Inyati Game Lodge for 24 hours and the game viewing has been out of this world. Inyati is a small, intimate camp with heart and soul, a very loving feeling. Our beautiful leopard here is Tisela, and her young cub. She had two cubs with her, about 9 months old.
Tisela, whose name means “the patient one” is a notable female leopard frequently observed around Inyati Game Lodge in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Born around July 2018, Tisela has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability throughout her life.
During her early months, Tisela and her brother faced significant challenges when their mother sustained a serious leg injury, leading to a temporary separation. Despite being only about six months old, they managed to survive by honing their hunting skills, particularly targeting mongoose. They were eventually reunited with their mother and the siblings continued their strong bond. As they grew, the siblings eventually parted ways, and Tisela established her own territory adjacent to her mother’s range.
In recent years, Tisela has been observed nurturing her own offspring. Heartwarming moments, such as her calling out to her cubs and sharing meals with them, have been captured and shared by Inyati Game Lodge. These instances highlight her development into a caring and skilled mother, further contributing to the leopard population in the region.
And if these sightings weren’t enough, we got to experience a night drive where we saw a leopard in foreign territory. Unfortunately, we had to learn too early to see the result. Did he or didn’t he earn the territory? We were left with this cliffhanger of a story.
What a way to end 10 days of magic in the Kruger region. Last morning of game drives at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. We searched and searched for lions, but didn’t have luck this morning. Instead, we went bundu bushing for a leopard and found Tengil totally hidden. We couldn’t grab any pictures sadly. We did get to see her 1 year old cub trying to catch squirrels.
Then to end the day with another leopard sighting – Ntsumi which means Angel, and what an angel she is. Ntsumi is about 10 years old and has two daughters who are about 18 months. Ntsumi is my guide, Syd’s favorite leopard.
Ntsumi is a solitary predator who exemplifies the elusive and independent nature typical of leopards. Ntsumi has been involved in various interactions that highlight the challenges leopards face in the wild. For instance, she once managed to catch an impala, but the kill was swiftly stolen by hyenas in the area. Such incidents underscore the competitive environment in which these big cats operate.
Leopards like Ntsumi are territorial animals, and disputes over territory can occur, especially when younger leopards attempt to establish their own ranges. In one documented case, a young leopard ventured into Ntsumi’s territory, leading to a confrontation where Ntsumi asserted her dominance to protect her range. You can read more and see even more photos from this confrontation on Sabi Sabi’s website here.
For Sandy, who has visited Africa countless times, this trip stands out, with more leopard sightings than ever before. It’s a reminder of nature’s raw beauty and the importance of conserving these magnificent creatures for generations to come. Whether you’ve experienced it firsthand or are dreaming of your own safari adventure, the stories of these leopards will stay with you — a testament to the spirit of the wild.