African leopards (Panthera pardus) are among the most elusive and adaptable of the big cats. Their coats range from pale yellow to rich chestnut hues, patterned with distinctive rosettes that often lead them to be confused with jaguars. The underside of their body and tail is whitish, and leopards even use the pale underside of their tail as a signal of non-aggression when passing through herds of prey animals.
Generally solitary, these stealthy hunters live in overlapping home ranges, meeting only to mate. A master of camouflage, the African leopard is a patient stalker — often watching silently from a vantage point before slinking through the long grass to make its fatal pounce. Because lions and hyenas will steal their kills, leopards haul their prey high into trees, where they can feed in peace.
Leopards are highly adaptable and found in a wide range of environments across sub-Saharan Africa — from arid deserts and rocky outcrops to riverine forests and savannah bush. They are also known to rest or hunt from trees, using the canopy both for shade and as a lookout for unsuspecting prey.
Although leopards are notoriously difficult to spot, some destinations offer exceptional opportunities to encounter them in the wild. South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is often regarded as the leopard capital of Africa, with one of the highest densities on the continent and frequent sightings, even in daylight. Kruger National Park in South Africa is another excellent choice, where a vast network of roads and private reserves gives safari-goers a high chance of encountering these big cats in action.
In Botswana’s Moremi Game Reserve, leopards thrive in the rich mosaic of lagoons, woodlands, and floodplains created by the Okavango Delta. Further east, the Masai Mara in Kenya offers the opportunity to see leopards against a backdrop of vast open plains, often draped across acacia branches as they survey the savannah below. Night drives, available in certain conservancies, increase your chances of witnessing their elusive nocturnal behaviour.
A top tip from our specialist Phoenix: Look into the tree canopy for a random branch that points downwards — follow it up and it may lead you to a leopard’s tail.
History, culture, wildlife and the world's largest waterfall await travellers embarking on this 10-day safari, an itinerary that takes in everything from game drives in search of the Big Five to a tour of Robben Island, where the legendary Nelson Mandela spent 18 years as a political prisoner.
The entirety of this 10-day safari will be spent in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this rich wildlife destination. From your secluded lodges and camps you'll be able to head into the bush and search for giraffes, hippos, zebra, thousands of elephants and a prodigious predator population, including lions, leopards, painted dogs and more.
Discover the Kweene Trails, an area of the Okavango Delta few visitors get the opportunity to survey.
The year begins with rewarding leopard encounters in southern Africa’s summer green season.
Leopards remain active across southern Africa, especially in private reserves with off-road tracking.
As the rains ease, leopard viewing improves in both East and Southern Africa.
April brings wetter conditions in East Africa, making leopards harder to track.
Conditions remain variable, and leopard sightings are generally more challenging.
The dry season begins, and leopard encounters improve significantly.
July is the start of peak safari season with fantastic leopard viewing.
Dry conditions continue, making August exceptional for leopard safaris.
Leopard sightings peak across multiple regions as the dry season continues.
The end of the dry season still offers outstanding leopard encounters.
The rains begin to return, making leopard sightings more challenging.
Green season brings lush landscapes, but leopards are harder to track.
