Elusive leopards prowl the deserts and bush of Africa in search of unsuspecting ungulates such as zebra and antelope. Due to the threat of lions and hyenas stealing their prey, leopards haul their quarry high into trees to feast on their meal without interruption. Leopards have also been known to use high vantage points to seek out their prey before slinking through the long grass and making the fatal pounce.

Despite being somewhat difficult to locate due to their covert nature, leopards can be seen during game drives in the majority of African safari destinations.

At Natural World Safaris we put you in the right place at the right time to see these big cats and particularly recommend Botswana and Zambia for fantastic wildlife encounters.

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Leopard Encounters

Track wild leopards throughout Africa's national parks.

Leopards on the Hunt

Witness hungry leopards on the hunt for tasty prey.

Leopard Photography

Get close enough for great photos on safari staying at some of our favourite camps.

Leopards Hunting

Leopards often drag their prey into trees to stop other predators eating it, an incredible sight to see on safari.

African leopard coats vary greatly in colour depending on their location from pale yellow to more brownish chestnut hues. Their rosette markings range from black spots on their lower limbs to large open flowers on their back and hind. These markings often mean they are confused with jaguars native to South and Central America. The underside of leopards’ torsos and tails are whitish in colour and they use their tail’s underside as a sign denoting that they are not seeking prey when walking through groups of mammals.

Generally solitary creatures, leopards live in separate home ranges only overlapping in order to mate. Fights can break out if other males intrude a neighbour’s range.

Found in parks and reserves throughout sub-Saharan Africa, leopards inhabit rocky bush terrain and riverine forests but have been known to adapt to a wide range of habitats.