The Ultimate Clash
on Jun 19, 2025As guides, we are fortunate to witness some incredible sightings, some more remarkable than others, but it takes something extraordinary to truly leave us breathless. Nature has a powerful way of reminding us how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and of the daily challenges that wild animals in the African bush must face. Experiencing Mother Nature in her raw, powerful way can be eye-opening at times.
Recently, I was spoiled to share a once-in-a-lifetime sighting with a group of very lucky guests – a sighting that will stay with me for years to come.
As the sun was setting and temperatures were dropping, the beautiful young male leopard, which hasn’t been named yet as he hasn’t established a territory, was found at the watering hole in front of Earth Lodge. I decided to head towards this part of our reserve as we were looking for leopard but without success. With leopards being primarily nocturnal, it is always a great privilege to follow them after dark and witness firsthand what their behaviour is like and how opportunistic they truly are.
Just as we arrived at the sighting, the young male leopard was intently focused on a nearby warthog burrow. Moments later, a warthog cautiously poked its head out, likely sensing something was amiss. That split-second decision proved fatal. In a flash, the leopard launched himself forward, grabbing the warthog with precision, securing his prey.
Unfortunately for the young male leopard, his hunt took place dangerously close to an active hyena den located in the southern part of our reserve. The warthog’s distress calls quickly caught the attention of two adult hyenas, who wasted no time responding. Within seconds, they arrived on the scene, forcing the leopard to abandon his kill mid-hunt. As the leopard fled, the warthog, paralysed by the leopard’s earlier grip, made a desperate attempt to retreat into its burrow. But it was too late. The hyenas seized the opportunity, dragging the warthog away and viciously tearing into their stolen prize.
We all felt bad for the young male leopard as he lay just meters away from the prize he had worked so hard to secure, watching helplessly as the hyenas devoured it. Although there were large Marula trees nearby, perfect for hoisting his kill out of reach, he simply didn’t have a strong enough grip on the warthog to carry it. Unable to escape with it in time, he was forced to surrender his meal to the opportunistic hyenas.
As the leopard lay there, grooming himself to clean the blood from his legs and chest, one of the hyenas approached, leading to a brief but tense altercation. Although leopards are significantly faster than hyenas, they tend to avoid direct confrontation, especially with an animal equipped with such powerful jaws. One well-placed bite from a hyena could be fatal, and the young leopard wisely chose to retreat to safety.
As we watched the leopard on one side and listened to the unmistakable cackling of hyenas feasting on the other side, a shared feeling settled over us all, nature can be cruel. Out here, every creature must fight for what’s theirs and, just as importantly, know when to walk away. The young male leopard sat quietly, striking a regal pose as he observed the hyenas feast on his warthog, knowing he wouldn’t get so much as a single bite.
Just as we were about to head back to the lodge for dinner, thinking we had already witnessed the highlight of the evening, something happened that took our breath away…
The young male leopard, who had been fixated on the hyenas, suddenly shifted his gaze into the darkness ahead. Curious, we stopped and scanned the area. That’s when we saw him - a second male leopard - an absolute beast of a male leopard approaching. Drawn by the sounds of the earlier struggle and the ongoing hyena commotion, this male had come to investigate.
It all unfolded in a matter of seconds. As I tried to reposition the vehicle for a better view, the two male leopards briefly lay side by side - just for a moment - before walking parallel with one another. Then, without warning, the larger male lunged at the younger one. They collided in mid-air in an explosion of power and fury. The sound of their snarls and growls was out of this world! Witnessing not just the two male leopards physically attack one another, but also the whole experience of what led to this situation.
As the larger, more powerful male bit and clawed at the younger one, both growling fiercely, the hyenas suddenly shifted their attention to the escalating commotion behind them. They charged toward the fighting leopards, forcing the two to break apart. Each leopard then scattered in a different direction, their intense snarls fading into the distance as they retreated from one another, while the hyenas watched closely, having interrupted the brutal encounter.
This night was a huge learning curve for the younger male. First, he lost his hard-earned kill to the hyenas. Then he had to flee from them, only to almost overestimate his confidence by challenging the larger male instead of retreating right away. It was a tough but invaluable lesson, one that will shape his future. With time and experience, this young leopard will grow wiser, becoming more skilled both in hunting and in standing his ground.
Since everything unfolded in mere seconds, there was no time to capture photos - neither during the arrival of the larger male nor the fierce collision between the two leopards. But one thing is certain: the images etched in our minds will stay with us forever. This extraordinary sighting has been deeply engraved in both our hearts and memories. It stands as one of the most thrilling and unforgettable experiences I have ever witnessed - an intense display of blood, dominance, and the raw, unfiltered power of Mother Nature and her magnificent creatures.
Every day in the African bush is unique - you never know what awaits when you head out on safari. Some days are quiet and reflective, while others surprise you with once-in-a-lifetime sightings you may never witness again. I feel truly privileged to have experienced this moment firsthand: the views, the sounds, and the smells.
Blog by Ruan Mey (Earth Lodge Ranger)
