Londolozi is synonymous with leopards. Over the past thirty years the leopards of Londolozi have developed legendary status, owing to the truly remarkable partnership between the leopards and rangers and trackers. Usually regarded as elusive, shy and solitary, these elegant, patient cats are more easily observed at Londolozi than anywhere else in Africa.
Our leopard family tree boasts 18 different individuals and guests regularly witness remarkable leopard sightings. We identified 54 different leopards in 2005. In the month of May 2006 we enjoyed 128 different leopard sightings. In 2008 & 2009 that number has solidly increased, with rangers and guests enjoying regular sightings of over 23 different leopards.
The progenitor of this extensive tree will be forever known as Mother Leopard. This leopard has almost mythological status at Londolozi, being the first leopard to be clearly sighted after five long years of restorative land management and conservation in the 1970s. The appearance of this young female – who was to become known as Mother Leopard and produce nine litters of cubs – was the beginning of a relationship between man and wild leopard the likes of which the world had never seen.
Mother Leopard was the matriarch of the Leopards of Londolozi – now famous around the world – and today guests are privileged to experience, when one of her progeny steps suddenly and silently into view, the same heart stopping intensity as at that first sighting.
This partnership of man and animal, which has endured over the decades, has become symbolic of a search for a new way forward. While the lessons learnt have ostensibly been about leopards they are simultaneously about humility and respecting sanctity – recognising a world where it is possible to share each other’s space in harmony and for mutual benefit. Through the revelations of Mother Leopard the Londolozi family have moved towards a deeper understanding of sustainable future for all.
