05/25/2026
A Phinda leopard!
Phinda’s topography and vegetation types do add an extra challenge to finding these elusive animals. But thanks to years of research, careful habituation, and ethical guiding, the leopard viewing at Phinda Private Game Reserve has steadily become more and more consistent, especially in the southern sections of the reserve.
At Phinda, we appreciated not only the skills of the guide and tracker, but also how the story of the animals’ movements is pieced together. With andBeyond’s interpretative guiding style, you do not simply drive around looking for wildlife. A narrative is built around what you see, hear, and even smell, helping you better understand animal behaviour and how different species move through the landscape.
What we particularly enjoyed about this sighting was how we eventually found the male leopard hidden in the long grass. We had stopped for a nyala bull, a regular resident at Phinda, when our guide Darren immediately said, “Wait… this nyala is acting differently.”
Before the alarm call had even sounded, our guide had already spotted a male leopard moving silently through the grass.
A few hours of meticulously searching, tracking, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together had paid off. A leopard sighting at Phinda.
What a great story to be a part of. Such an amazing morning game drive. Not just because we saw a male leopard, but because of how we saw it.
--------
📷: Ubuntu Travel, Messham Photography
📍: Phinda Private Game Reserve , South Africa
--------
✨ Your Trip of a Lifetime Awaits
🐾 [email protected]
--------
