Known locally as Ingwe, meaning “pure sovereignty”, the leopard can still be found on farmland as well as other habitats throughout Southern Africa where they co-exist with their human neighbours depending on the attitudes of both parties.
Game Reserves that are inadequate in size to hold most big cats such as lion and cheetah, show evidence that they are occupied by leopard but the animals themselves are seldom seen. This secrecy is their best defence against humans and other potential dangers.
There is no larger predator as elusive and shy as the leopard. For many locals and travellers from abroad, the only memory of seeing a leopard is a blurry, fleeting image of the animal crossing a game park. For others that are fortunate to visit the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, leopard sightings are frequent and abundant.
The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is the oldest private game reserve in South Africa being formed in 1934. The reserve is part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, one of the largest conservations areas in Southern Africa. It has only ever been a wilderness area creating a diverse eco system encompassing a number of species including the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, and buffalo).
The 65 000 hectare / 153 000 acre reserve shares a 50km / 31.25 mile unfenced border with the world renowned Kruger National Park. This immense area’s game viewing is second to none – nowhere in South Africa will one find a wildlife experience like the one experience in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve.
The Sabi Sand Game Reserve has been the base for most of my photography, with the reserve being particularly abundant with leopards, one of my great passions. There are a number of leopards in the reserve that we could call “habituated”, meaning simply there are some individuals that are used to vehicles and do not feel threatened by them.
This behaviour is however due to consistent, respectful and considerate behaviour on the part of the people driving in the reserve.
Habituated animals are more commonly found in private game reserves. In these reserves, vehicles are out on game drives daily, thereby creating a great deal of exposure to the animals. It is thanks to this process that I have been privileged to be able to experience first-hand these otherwise elusive creatures whilst they go about their business, paying us no heed whatsoever.
Being able to spend extended time with these animals has enabled me to capture and share with you the images in this article.
I hope you enjoyed viewing my images as much as I did capturing them!
“Photography is the most powerful conservation tool on the planet”
Brendon Cremer
Brendon’s Links:
- Website: Bush Fanatix Photography
- Facebook: Bush Fanatix Facebook Group
- Website: Sabi Sands Game Reserve
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Awesome images,Brendon! Thanks so much for sharing!
Really Grand. Reminds me of Lex Hess, but here with a modern twist. Super article.
lovely stuff B you have some fantastic shots , well done
Super Article Brendon! Sabi Sands has to be my favorite area for photography!
I am stunned by the quality of these photographs. They made me feel uncomfortably close to the leopard.
Fantastic photographs – WOW!!
Scared, man-eating beast
Thanks all for the great comments, im glad you like it.
Great post Brendon, definitely the most beautiful and challenging of cats to photograph. Hopefully the Leopard in Madikwe will be this obliging some day eh Gerry?
Thanks again!