After a very nice sundowner stop and a breath-taking sunset once again we set off in search of a leopard, as my tracker and I decided we wanted to end the Logan family’s safari trip off with a grand finale because they weren’t going on game drive the next morning. After trying to relocate a different leopard through some rough terrain the call came in that another leopard was found close to the lodge. We decided to make our way there as this specific leopard, Warthog Wallow, normally provides us with some amazing sightings. As we arrived at the scene it was pitch black as no lights were being used at the time, she was hunting. As I explained to my guests that we don’t interfere and we want nature to takes its course we had to wait patiently for the next move, whether it was the leopard pouncing on an impala or the impala spotting her and making a hasty retreat. We followed her every step with my night vision binoculars, which were building up the suspense. One wrong move and the impala picked up her presence and with switching the lights back on we could almost see the disappointment on her face.

She started to slowly move off after cleaning herself and everyone thought the chances of her successfully making a kill in this area was over as the impala proclaimed her presence to everyone. We decided it was time to return to the lodge and we would do just that as soon as she entered a big open plain. Little did we know that this was where all the action would take place.

We spotted a herd of impala, we took in our position and sat there in anticipation. We could see the impala was a little bit uneasy, probably from hearing the alarm calls from the leopard’s earlier attempt. Before long a Side-striped Jackal was on the scene and like always was very vocal, and it didn’t take long before we could see some eyes in the distance which could only be the ever present hyena. At that moment I knew what would happen as I have seen this before, but I was still hoping it would turn out different. With all the commotion going on with the jackal and hyenas, the impalas decided they had enough and started mauling around at first and then moved off, in the wrong direction! At that stage we weren’t exactly sure where Warthog Wallow was until we heard hooves scattering all over the place. We switched on and were just in time to see the leopard underneath an impala ram trying to bring it down.

In a matter of seconds she managed to wrestle this big impala male to the ground, but it was clear she bit off more than she could chew. She struggled to find that perfect grip as she used all her strength to keep her prey on the ground. Eventually after about two minutes we could see the life being drained out of the impala when suddenly two hyenas arrived on the scene rushing onto the now very vulnerable female leopard. She had no choice, but to let go and to our, and especially the scavengers surprise, the impala jumped up and ran off!

With no reward for their efforts and the impala disappearing into the darkness, the hyenas turned their attention to Warthog Wallow and chased her up a tree. By now there were three of them and even though she lost her kill she didn’t get injured and the only thing that was harmed was a little bit of pride.

After getting back to Bush Lodge, everyone was excited and Mr. Kenny Logan (former Scotland rugby player) commented that the adrenaline he felt during all that action and chaos was almost like playing a test mach. What a grand finale!!