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We've had mixed fortunes over the years when it comes to leopard sightings in KNP. One year we hit the jackpot with 7 different sightings in 8 days where as other trips not so much as a brief glimpse. But that's how it goes with these elusive cats. With their nocturnal habits and exceptional camouflage, you do need a fair bit of luck on your side.

On the plus side they are incredibly adaptive and can be found right across KNP in almost any habitat. We've be fortunate enough to come across these remarkable creatures in most areas of the park, from Shingwetsi to Crocodile bridge. Most of our sightings have occurred in or around river beds, or alternatively by coming across an unfortunate impala (or other prey) dangling from the branch of a tree.

Coming across leopard cubs is one of the all time rare treats in the bush, considering that they are generally well hidden from predators. If you happen to locate the den then it’s always worth hanging around for mom to come home from her night time hunt. That's when the little ones really let loose and literally bounce off the walls (or trees in this case). It makes for some a very special sighting, one that you won’t forget in a hurry.

Anyway, here are my top 3 leopard sightings in KNP.

1. Biyamiti weir - We came across a male leopard on his evening patrol at the end of the Biyamiti road. He was on a serious mission, marking his territory, climbing rocks and logs searching for a good vantage point, constantly on the look out. He kept disappearing from sight but we kept locating him again and again because of the reactions alarm calls from the other animals and birds in the area. Scrub hares and other small game would explode out the bush and sure enough not far behind was this beautiful male going about his patrol. In the end we followed him for about 30 minutes until it was time to start heading back. As a parting gift to us he climbed up onto a big bolder right next to the car and looked down at us as if to say goodbye. Special!

2. Satara - H1-4. On a morning drive we came across a dead impala hanging from the branch of a tall tree. We decided to hang around for a bit to see what came along. After a while we detected some movement in a thicket and soon realised it was a pair of small leopard cubs. They were pretty tough to see but once mom returned some time later, they came out of their hiding places and started running amuck. All you saw were these two spotted terrors racing around and tackling one another and poor mom. They clearly had some energy to burn off. The highlight was when one of the cubs climbed up the tree and had a go at the kill. They were having a great time until some kudu crashed the party. The cubs quickly returned to their mother’s side and then back to their hiding spot. It was a thoroughly entertaining sighting and one we will never forget.

3. Skukuza H1-4 - one of the loops of the tar road. We came across several different species grouped together in a clearing. There were some kudu, impala and some giraffe all browsing and looking very relaxed. Little did they know all hell was about to break loose. Out of nowhere a leopard exploded out of the bush and went for one of the unsuspecting impala. It was over so quickly, all we saw was a brief flash of spots and a flickering tail. Unfortunately the leopard was unsuccessful this time but it is still the closest we have come to seeing a leopard kill in the wild. Huddled together now, the impala sounded their alarm calls and didn’t let the leopard out of their sight. We thought the danger was pretty much over once the impala and other game were alert to the leopard’s presence but surprisingly the leopard had other ideas. It backed off into the bush and then began to stalk the impala from a different angle all over again. However, nothing happened this time around and the leopard eventually made his way off in search of another opportunity. It was an incredible few minutes and it sure got our hearts racing.

These elusive cats are certainly something special and coming across one in the wild is an experience you won't forget in a hurry. What are some of your best leopard experiences in KNP? Where did you see it and what sought of behaviour did you witness?

Hi JJ. We've been blessed with some spectacular leopard sightings in KNP in the past.
The highlight however was the following;
Skukuza Camp: We were walking along the fence on the river side, when I spotted a leopard on the other side of the river. There was a small herd of impala drinking at the river and the leopard started stalking them. We watched the whole scene unfold. The leopard was only a few meters from the impala when it exploded out of the reeds and caught an impala ewe. This happened so quickly that the impala was down before the rest of the herd scattered in all directions. The leopard then dragged its' kill +_ 50 meters along the river and then into a thick patch of reeds where it disappeared. A fabulous sighting from within the camp.

Lovely thread JJ

My best photo Leopard was this beauty taken on the Voortrekker road. We were alone. A car had alerted us to the sighting and then they drove off.

The Leopard lay a few metres away as cool as cucumber.



This was a mom and 2 cubs on the way to Malelane from Croc Bridge. I managed to get mom and one cub.









This is from my last trip. I saw 2 pairs of courting Leopards 20 minutes apart on the H4-1.

Unfortunately the photo opportunities were not wonderful as they had other things on their mind.

That mother leopard is such a pretty, feminine looking cat! Stunning! We are still eagerly awaiting our first Kruger leopard. I am not disheartened or disappointed at having not seen one yet but rather it is great knowing that with luck, sometime, we will have that great thrill awaiting us .

WoW top 3 Leopard sightings, I have only had 3 sightings total in all my trips

For me very difficult to pick the best three,as last visit had about 6 leopard sightings,all excellent but 2011 truely was bumper year with about 16 leopard sighting in one trip.

Roan - Wow!!! That sounds like a once in a life time sighting. Agreed, its so quick - over in a flash.

You were so lucky to be on foot when it all went down. That's when you get to hear all the noises that go with the sighting. The piece and quiet is shattered by the alarm calls etc. One doesn't realize how much you miss when the car engines are running in the background

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks meandering mouse. Love your photo's, especially the cubs. Thanks for sharing.

Once I figure out how to attach photo's ill share some of ours

My all time favourite. 30-05-2012
We sat with it for about 20 minutes before it got up and jumped down crossing the road and walked off into the bush. We were only 3 cars.

[img][IMG]http://i1257.photobucket.com/albums/ii520/Shaheenpat/Leopard1.jpg[/img][/img]

That's amazing Shikaari. And I thought we had a crazy year with 7 sightings. Awesome

I read some where that there are more leopard per square kilometer in the Skukuza/Lower Sabie area than anywhere else in Africa . Don't quote me on that, but the point is there are plenty of these beautiful cats out there. With patience, a bit of research and some good old fashioned luck, you can come right in a big way.

MM! I have never seen such a young one in the park! And to spot a pair mating
During November 2011 we came across a +_ 6 month old cub on her own a few meters from the road along the Mahonie loop. We were the only car and spent at least 25minutes with her and then left her undesturbed. Next morning we found a big male lying in a big baobab close to Klopperfontein. A truly African sight!

Roan, on that particular drive we saw 5 Leopard. Shortly after this sighting we came across 2 Leopard on a rock.

This mom and cub sighting was very special though. I was too slow to capture the first cub climbing down the tree. I was just getting over my disappointment when another little face popped out.

Meandering mouse, looking at those photos of the mating pair got me thinking about a similar sighting we had in 2010. It was also on the H 4-1, only a bit closer to Lower Sabie over looking the river bed.

We parked of at one of the view points that over look the river and the vast far bank. We could hear those deep calls of a leopard from the reeds below us. We couldn't see him but we know roughly where he was because of the his repetitive calls. Eventually some crowned plovers gave him position away, they weren't to happy about him being there.

He was walking up and down, in and out of sight through the reeds. He looked very restless and continued making those deep calls as he patrolled the river bed. Eventually it all made sense when a much smaller female leopard walked out of the reeds on the far bank.

Poor guy, its no wonder he was so restless and worked up. There was a small obstacle in the form of a strong flowing Sabie river between him and his lovely lady. Very funny

Great sighting! Loved every moment of it

I highly recommend that stretch of road along the Sabie river. Don't worry about all the cars passing behind you. Just find a good look out point, switch off and wait. Listen for birds (particularly intolerant birds like plovers) and keep watching the both sides of the river from your elevated view point. There is a good chance of seeing leopard if you are patient. If not leopard, you will be rewarded with plenty of other quality sightings.

Eventualy came right with posting pics...
This is my favourite sighting of leopard.
We were watching lions further up the road at the bridge when i noticed a car at the intersection for a few minutes, decided to see what it was all about.
Well guess what.... we were with the leopard for about 20 minutes, only 3 cars, before it jumped off and crossed the road into the bush.......

Shaheen, amazing sighting. Thanks for sharing
He/she look very comfortable up there

Its amazing just how many leopard there are in the Skukuza/Lower Sabie area. I read somewhere that there are more leopard per square kilometer around there than anywhere else in Africa. Very exciting!