Leopard Predation Thread

[Ngala]

Photo and information credits: Nombekana Safaris and Wildlife Photography
I have just come back from my Self Driven Safari in the Kruger National Park. 
I had the privilege of taking an awesome Singapore family to Kruger. I just love self driven safaris because I am always in control. I can do what I do best and that is find animals for my guests. At times it can be very quite as was at some point with my guests. They were cat people and for them seeing the cats in the wild would make their trip. I remember saying to them that they must be patient with me as I will try and find them. The first day I couldn't find any cats and I only had one more full day to deliver the goods. At night I couldn't sleep and I was planning my route. Once everything was decided I felt good and I remember getting in the car singing to my guests that "I got a feeling that today is gonna be a good day" and indeed the day was magical
. It started with lions on Buffalo kill that David my friend had told me about. They were however sleeping and not doing much as it they were quite full. I decided with the permission from my guests that I would move on and try and find more cats. The road was full of fresh spoor particularly leopard and I remember saying to them that this is a few minutes old. Indeed as I drove down the road tracking this leopard my heart was pounding and from a distance I saw a leopard on the road. I approached slowly but he went off the road and disappeared with no trace. Only myself and One guest managed to see him briefly. I told them this is only the start of the day and more was to come. Thirty minutes later we were blessed with an incredible sighting of 2 cheetah males. They gave us ample time to spend with them until I decided to move on. 
I got to one of my favourite leopard spots and I told my guests to keep a good eye out . I don't like driving with Windows closed in a vehicle as I am unable to listen to the bush but it was already getting very hot and I had to close the windows and turn on the airconditioning in the car. As I came around the corner I noticed some impalas looking intently and as I switched off the car I heard a lot of Alarm calls, they were very strong and persistent . The impalas were looking in the riverbed and I knew it could only be a leoapard. I told my guest that we have a leopard in the vicinity and we must find him. I carefully followed the eyeline of the impalas and I decided to position my vehicle in a position where I thought the leopard would appear and indeed a few minutes later one of my guests shouted Leopard. There she was in all her glory with her tail curled up signifying that her cover had been blown. She walked and disappeared into the thickets. My clients were over the moon . They had finally found their cats but nothing would prepare us for what was to happen in the next few minutes. We spotted another leopard as he made a kill of an impala and this was on of the most incredible things I have ever witnessed in the bush. He made the kill and looked us straight in the eye before disappearing into the thickest. 

I have been incredibly lucky with kills recently and this was my third kill in a space of 30 days. Two lion kills and one leopard kill. 

The bush is one special place. Sometimes it's quite and you don't see much but patience is key. Mother nature has been good toe and my guests. I love making people happy and I am looking forward to the next ten years in the bush with many guests. 

Mother Nature 
NAMASTE.

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