Africa

5 Best Wilderness destinations to see African leopard

Wildlife

Conservation

Tenneil Zondagh

7/20/2021

Our favourite camps for leopard sightings

Leopards are found on many different continents, with African leopards one of eight sub-species, including Javan and Persian leopard, that have adapted to their specific ecosystems. With its golden rosette coat (which is not just a recurring fashion trend) this magnificent creature is perfectly camouflaged in its favourite vantage point, high up in trees.

 

The leopard is more revered than the lion by many African people, and is the ultimate symbol of power because of its courage and tenacity in attack. Across the continent, the leopard signifies agility, nobility, ferocity, aggression, and courage, and some consider it to be the “Great Watcher”. It is believed they are animal guides for the spirit of the dead, helping them find their resting place. The leopard is also considered as a totem animal and healers believe it has special powers.

"The only truly predictable aspect of a leopard’s behaviour is its unpredictability".

Leopards use their call to express different emotions and states of mind. For example, purrs usually signify contentment while a growl means the leopard is feeling angry or aggressive. Young leopards have been known to call “urr-urr” for their mothers. If all of these examples sound familiar, well, you’re right – it turns out leopards communicate just like your house cat!

 

Most references to leopards describe them as nocturnal, and while it is undoubtedly true that they are often active at night, it is not uncommon to encounter a leopard moving or even hunting during the day, even in extreme temperatures. A keen eye is needed to spot these elusive, solitary felines. They are silent, efficient ambush predators and know exactly how to use their camouflage to best effect, often grabbing their prey before it registers what is happening. Their sheer strength allows them to catch and kill prey larger than themselves and they often stash these heavy carcasses in trees to avoid the attentions of other predators.

 

So, while you are on game drives be sure to always look up…

 

Here are some of our favourite Wilderness camps where you are most likely to observe this captivating animal:

Wilderness Little Makalolo

Little Makalolo lies in the heart of one of the best game viewing areas in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and there are regular reports of leopard sightings. Overlooking a vibrant waterhole, it offers privacy for guests who enjoy small camps and a sense of remoteness. The camp's six traditional-style tents – including a family unit – are spacious and en-suite, with indoor and outdoor showers. Solar power is used for tent lights and to heat water, ensuring a lighter environmental footprint.

 

Linking the tents to the main area are teak walkways. Here a false mopane tree in the centre of the camp shades a separate dining and living area with an open fire deck for those convivial evening fireside tales under the stars. A raised pool deck, which also shelters the bar and breakfast area, offers evocative views of the much-frequented waterhole in front of camp.

Explore Little Makalolo

Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Camp Pool
Leopard yawning at Wilderness Chitabe
Leopard mother and cub at Wilderness Mombo
Wilderness Little Makalolo Zimbabwe Camp Pool
Leopard yawning at Wilderness Chitabe
Leopard mother and cub at Wilderness Mombo

Wilderness Mombo

Long known as The Place of Plenty, Mombo boasts enormous concentrations of plains game and predators, and is considered to be one of the best areas for game viewing in Africa – Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It is also renowned for its high density of leopards.

 

The eight spacious suites deliver sweeping views over a floodplain teeming with wildlife. The sitting room, separate bedroom and bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, and bathtub with copper and brass fittings all contribute to the Wilderness ideal of responsible luxury.

Explore Wilderness Mombo

Wilderness Little Mombo Botswana Accommodation Suite Interior
Leopards have a strong legacy at Mombo - close up of leopard
Wilderness Little Mombo Botswana Accommodation Suite Interior
Leopards have a strong legacy at Mombo - close up of leopard

Wilderness Magashi

Perched on Magashi Peninsula, Wilderness Magashi looks out over the picturesque Lake Rwanyakazinga, towards the Mutumba Mountains in the west. Intimate (just six suites) and relaxed, but luxurious, the camp is warm and welcoming – and set in the only exclusive-use area in Akagera National Park, allowing for private safaris facilitated by expert guides for Wilderness guests only.

 

The area is famous for its unique fishing leopards that hunt catfish along the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, while other big game such as lions, Eastern black rhinos, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras and hippos roam across the habitats – open plains, woodlands, lakes, swamps, and grassy low mountains. 

Wilderness Magashi Rwanda Accommodation Guest Room Interior
Wilderness Magashi Area Camp Aerial View
Leopard perched in a tree Wilderness Vumbura
Wilderness Magashi Rwanda Accommodation Guest Room Interior
Wilderness Magashi Area Camp Aerial View
Leopard perched in a tree Wilderness Vumbura

Wilderness Mokete

In the centre of a wild, sweeping landscape, where a wetland marsh dominates the views and Botswana’s Mababe Depression stretches into the horizon, Mokete delivers an intense and authentic Botswana safari. It offers some of the region’s finest opportunities to witness large herd movements and thrilling predator activity. The solar powered tented camp, minimalist yet comfortable, places only canvas between guests and the wild – for an exhilarating (but safe) experience. Thanks to its exceptional location in an exclusive protected area east of the Okavango Delta and south of Chobe National Park, wildlife is abundant, with frequent sightings of leopard.

Leopard mother and cub Wilderness Mombo
Leopard mother and cub Wilderness Mombo

Wilderness Usawa Serengeti

At 15,000 square kilometres, Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park is one of the seven Natural Wonders of Africa. It is home to the Great Migration, where two million wildebeest, zebra and Thomson’s gazelles circulate through the park, providing an abundant food source for a variety of predators including leopard, lions, hyenas and crocodiles.

 

In close proximity to the migratory herds but set away from the high-density tourist spots, the striking architecture and mindful design of Wilderness Usawa Serengeti tented camp offers guests a refreshingly remote and private East African experience. The flexibility of the camp allows us to move at short notice, so guests are sure to be at the heart of the drama and in the best locations to experience the migration.

Visit Usawa Serengeti

Wilderness Usawa Mobile Tent Accommodation
Wilderness Usawa Mobile Tent interior
Side profile of leopard lying on a shaded rock
Leopard hiding in the grass in Eastern Kopjes, Tanzania
Wilderness Usawa signage in the Serengeti Tanzania
Wilderness Usawa Mobile Tent Accommodation
Wilderness Usawa Mobile Tent interior
Side profile of leopard lying on a shaded rock
Leopard hiding in the grass in Eastern Kopjes, Tanzania
Wilderness Usawa signage in the Serengeti Tanzania

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