African Leopard
wildlife
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.
Where can you see African Leopards?
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. One of the top destinations to see leopards is South Luangwa National Park in Zambia which has one of the highest populations of leopards in all of Africa. Other destinations include Kruger National Park in South Africa, Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana and the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Scientific name Panthera pardus
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.
African Leopard Safari Destinations
Zambia - South Luangwa National Park
South Africa - Kruger National Park
Botswana - Moremi Game Reserve
A master of camouflage, leopards can be challenging to spot. Your best chance of seeing leopards are along the river where you can see them in large trees.
A top tip from our specialist Phoenix: Look into the tree canopy for a random branch that points downwards... follow that branch up and sometimes... it is the leopards tail!
The African Leopard
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.
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.
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. 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.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Considered near threatened, leopards’ main threat is from humans due to poaching and loss of habitat.
HABITAT: Leopards are extremely adaptable and can live anywhere from arid landscapes to dense forest and rocky outcrops.
LENGTH: Males can grow up to 8 foot in length from head to tail.