Leopard hunt

This afternoon we set out on our game drive under clear skies. After just a few minutes Kathy spotted a male kudu and his six girlfriends. He seemed to pose for us as we stopped to admire him. We soon saw another lilac breasted roller right by the Land Cruiser as well that also seemed to pose for our photos. This drive seemed to have great promise! After a little while longer, some tracks in the side of the
road excited both Liam and Mumps: a male and female leopard walking together. Solitary animals, they are found together in the same territory only when the female is seeking a mate. She risks her life coming into a male’s territory unless he notices she is in heat. If they link up, they stay together for 2 or 3 days mating after which she returns to her territory. A female will mate with a number of males to protect her young as a male leopard will kill a cub he does not believe is his.

Mumps jumped off the vehicle with his trusty slingshot and started out through the bush while Liam drove us around to where they thought the leopards were headed. Liam found their tracks in several places and in a likely spot loaded his rifle and headed out, leaving us alone in the Land Cruiser. After a long while they returned together without having sighted the pair but with optimism over their destination. For the rest of the day we searched for them, often finding new tracks, but without luck. At sunset we enjoyed a rest stop, drank some water and ate some biltong, but were soon back on the trail. Mumps heard impala give a warning call that they only give when they sight a predator and we were off again. We found a number of herds of impala but they all appeared quite relaxed. We did sight a large male elephant and a large spotted genet, but no leopards. For the first time Liam and Mumps didn’t find what they were looking for and Mumps was clearly disappointed. I imagine we will continue the search tomorrow.

(This part is for Lewis: When we returned from the game drive we were surprised by our butler Reinas who had prepared a private in-room dinner for us, complete with rose petals and candles.)

Young male kudu

Lilac breasted roller in the sunshine

Liam and Mumps tracking the leopards

A romantic surprise!