It’s no secret that the Sabi Sand is leopard territory. There are various big cat stories that have come out of this prestigious Kruger Park reserve over the years, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Umkumbe Safari Lodge, enviously located overlooking the Sand River and the population of elephants, buffalo, and waterbuck that constantly roam its banks, boasts such frequent leopard sightings that we are genuinely surprised when days go passed without one.
There are a couple of famous faces in the territory, and just last night big male Mxabene showed himself after dark. The last week has also seen the presence of two well known lady leopards, namely White Dam, and Tatowa. In Marius Zeilinga’s most recent report, both leopardesses had been seen on game drive; Tatowa was relaxed and in the mood for a photoshoot; and White Dam was seen in stealth mode yet again.
White Dam has 2 cubs we know of – a male and a female, but she has been seen solo these days as her cubs are semi-grown. The last few times Umkumbe guests have sighted her, she has been attempting to hunt, but has not been successful. This is no indication of her leopard’s skill or strength, but it is a reminder that even a cat as powerful and stealthy as a leopard has a highly unsuccessful kill rate, and only manages to kill 25% of the medium-size prey animals they stalk.
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