Leopards have a way of captivating our hearts and sparking wonder with their beauty and mystique. With their unique rosette-spotted coats and rare, piercing yellow (and sometimes blue) eyes, these magnificent creatures hold a well-deserved place among Africa’s Big Five. Pilanesberg National Park and Black Rhino Game Reserve give us the incredible opportunity to observe these majestic animals in the wild—an opportunity that has been particularly special recently.
Leopard sightings are rare on Black Rhino, making each one truly unforgettable. Recently, our guests had the profound fortune of encountering a female leopard named Serati in the Pilanesberg. Serati, whose name fittingly means “Worthy” in Tswana, had expertly stashed her fresh impala kill high in the branches of a fig tree—a meticulous move to protect her prize from potential opportunistic predators below.
Serati was a picture of poise and power. Every movement was deliberate, every glance precise. She would turn her head with a dramatic grace, each shift mesmerizing, as if she knew the audience was fully captivated. When our eyes met, she would slow-blink—a gesture that, for a moment, bridged the wild and the human. Her gaze, both gentle and fierce, seemed to pull us into her world, a reminder of the raw beauty and power that leopards embody.
To witness her up close was to marvel at nature’s precision. Her muscular frame held an elegance that belied her strength. It’s awe-inspiring to consider how, with nothing but neck muscles and claws, a leopard like Serati can haul prey nearly as large as herself up a tree. It’s a feat of strength and skill—a display of physical mastery honed by generations in the wild.
These encounters hint at some intriguing changes in the area, with more leopards appearing and interacting with our landscape than ever before. For the upcoming summer, this could mean more opportunities to witness these elusive creatures as they leave their mark in Black Rhino and create new stories for us to share.
In Serati’s presence, we were reminded that while these creatures are among the finest predators, they are also artists of survival and instinct, balancing beauty with ferocity. Sitting there, fully engrossed in her every move, we felt privileged to witness a moment that few get to see—a glimpse into the life of one of nature’s most elusive and formidable hunters.
Every leopard here has its own story, each one adding to the unique memory bank we create with our guests. In recent weeks, we’ve witnessed an unexpected uptick in leopard activity on Black Rhino and the surrounding wilderness. It began one morning when a young leopard darted across Mavuso Drive, heading straight to our watering hole. We received a call from a neighbouring guide advising us to be on high alert for what could be a rare sighting (which unfortunately never made it to our watering hole). Regardless, sightings continued to emerge—one even at Red Syenite Dam.
These encounters hint at some intriguing changes in the area, with more leopards appearing and interacting with our landscape than ever before. For the upcoming summer, this could mean more opportunities to witness these elusive creatures as they leave their mark in Black Rhino and create new stories for us to share.
With all these stories and changes in the landscape, leopards are adding new mysteries to their elusive reputation. Who knows? Perhaps this summer will bring new memories and sightings for those lucky enough to witness one of these magnificent cats first-hand at Buffalo Thorn Lodge.
Here are a few fun facts about these beautiful creatures that we know and love:
Whisker patterns/Spots
A leopard’s whiskers serve as invaluable tools for navigating the dense bushveld, and their unique whisker spot patterns make each one identifiable—like a fingerprint.
Habitat / Territory
Generally solitary, leopards mark their territories with scent and claw marks on trees, creating an invisible map to protect their range. Interestingly, the territory of a male may overlap with several females, which leads to occasional sightings during mating season.
Reproductive cycle
Leopards, both males and females’ mate with a number of individuals. They breed throughout the year with a peak period, occurring in May, during the rainy season. The courting comes predominantly from the female, and she will call and try to entice a male. The gestation period lasts for about 3 months, normally having from 2 to 4 cubs. Cubs are born with their eyes closed, which open 4 to 9 days after birth.
Conservation and Status
Leopards are facing habitat loss and increasing human-animal conflict. Although estimates suggest there are around 700,000 left globally, the population is in decline, and the species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
With all these spots and facts, what’s there not to like about these magnificent cats. With destiny backing you, why not book a trip to Buffalo Thorn Lodge and just maybe you will be able to see these beautiful cats on a dappled game drive.
Kindest bush regard
The BTL team