Leopard
Leopards are one of the prize sightings on a safari. Stealthy and elusive, they are also surprisingly well camouflaged. The twitch of a tail may be the only give-away to a leopard resting in the branches of a tree. The leopard has the most widespread distribution of all the cats and can be found in India, Africa, China, Siberia and Korea. Leopards are generalist predators and are able to live in any habitat where there is sufficient cover and prey, including open savannah, forests, jungles, cold mountainous regions and even on the outskirts of urban areas. Leopards lead a solitary lifestyle. Males inhabit territories of 5 to 40 square km, which may overlap with the territories of several females. They are very defensive of their territory and urinate around the boundaries of their territories to warn off intruders. They are most active between sunset and sunrise.
Leopards often take their kills up into the safety of tree branches, to avoid the attention of hyenas and lions. They are incredibly strong and are capable of lifting carcasses three times their own body weight, placing them on branches over 6m high. There have been several reports of leopards hauling young giraffes into trees. They will kill small competitors such as jackals and wild cats; and the cubs of lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
Group Tours
The Best of Zimbabwe
Explore Victoria Falls, Hwange & Matobo National Parks
Zambia Wildlife Photographic Safari
Photograph wildlife in South Luangwa Valley with photographer Sue Flood.
Liuwa Plain Adventure - Zambia
Join the legendary Robin Pope on a safari to the rarely visited Liuwa Plain.
Botswana Elephant & Predator Research Safari
Join big cat, wild dog & elephant researchers on safari in Botswana
Kenya - Masai Mara Wildlife Safari
Quality game viewing in the prolific Masai Mara, staying at a classic tented camp.
Namibia - Cheetah Kingdom
Exclusive opportunity to assist AfriCat vets with the annual cheetah healthcheck.
Tanzania Migration Safari
The ultimate Tanzania Big 5 safari
Sri Lanka Whale and Leopard Tour
Whale watching in the Indian Ocean & tracking leopards in Yala National Park
Countries
Botswana
A wildlife rich country of vast contrasts and an incredible sense of wilderness.
South Africa
Offering stunning beaches, astonishing wildlife and world renowned vineyards.