Location: Tubu Tree Camp, Jao Concession, Botswana

Date: 4 November 2010

Observer: Johnny Mowanji and guests

Photographer: Stefan Helene Petersson

The hide on Hunda Island is proving to be alluring to our resident leopards. At the beginning of this year there was a special sighting of a big male leopard relaxing on the hide. Ten months later it has happened again!

As guests were driving up to the hide they stopped to look at a Hamerkop bird nest when a guest spotted one of Tubu’s young female leopards up on the hide. He was strutting his stuff, claiming to be the prince of the hide.

It was quite special; however it was only the start of the sighting. The young leopard watched the safari vehicle pull up a little closer and then decided to investigate the vehicle. The guide stopped and as they watched, the leopard came down from the hide and slowly walked towards the game viewer checking out one side before coming in front and to the driver’s tyre. He rubbed up against it and posed for a nice picture before heading off.

It was quite ironic as this hide was constructed to observe wildlife from it, not in or on it!

The guests were left sitting with their mouths wide open, but this special sighting didn’t stop there. As they followed the young leopard, he lead them to his mother and sister. The mother was out of breath from taking down an impala, and our youngster proceeded to feed with the family.

Location: Tubu Tree Camp, NG25, Botswana

Date: 3 July 2010

Observers: Justin Stevens, Jackie Collett, Johnny Mowanje & Anthony Mochoni

Photos: Michelle Collett & Mardus Potgieter

July 3rd 2010 – What a day!

Our guests woke up and were collected for breakfast by their guide. On the way, they saw two fresh sets of male lion tracks on the pathway leading to the main area. With adrenalin surging, the guests had a quick breakfast and headed out to track the lions. Instead they came across the big male that dominates the far side of the Jao Concession.

The game drive followed the lion and after a short while, his attention was arrested by some activity in a thicket nearby. He ran towards a thicket and three leopard (the Tubu female and her two cubs) exploded up into various trees. They watched, helpless, as the lion devoured the remains of an impala they had been breakfasting on. At the same time, a big elephant bull came wandering past.

On the way back to camp, they were interrupted by fighting kudu and an enormous buffalo bull. They arrived for brunch to find the camp inundated with elephants which prevented any return to the rooms.

The afternoon was also spectacular. The guests went fishing and were rewarded with a number of good catches. They were also lucky to see hippo breaching and two elephant swimming quite close to the boat. On the way back to camp, they saw yet another leopard.

It wasn’t over yet.

We had to collect the guests from their rooms in a Land Rover because there was a lioness chasing red lechwe in front of Tent 1 and her companion was spotted on the walkway outside Tent 3. The next morning, the big male was back, this time in camp. The game drives followed him out via the workshop and staff village.

What a remarkable 24 hours!