Kenya

Give Me The Big Five – Leopard Have you ever wondered why these animals are called “The Big Five”? The phrase ‘The Big Five’ originally referred to the difficulty of hunting the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo on foot in Africa. These five large African mammals were known to be dangerous, and trophy hunters considered it a feat to bring them home.  Our Kenyan safari promises the thrill of encountering some of the planet’s most magnificent wildlife. Many people’s ultimate safari goal is to spot the Big Five! Kenya’s untamed landscapes and the Masai Mara’s rolling savannahs provide the perfect backdrop for these beautiful creatures. Each game drive hopes to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitats, showcasing the raw beauty and power of the African wilderness.  Africa has a treasure found nowhere else in the world. The Big Five can only be found in these African countries: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. “Everything in Africa bites, but the safari bug is the worst of all.” Brian Jackman With eager hearts and adventurous spirits, here’s our story of encounters with the Big Five.   Desperately Seeking a Leopard! Leopards are among the stealthiest wild animals, and their highly solitary nature makes seeing them in the wild on a safari extremely rare.  On our first and second game drives, we saw four of the Big Five. We still have four game drives left, and the goal is to spot the elusive leopard! Our first game drive yielded no sightings.  On the second game drive, we ventured deeper into leopard territory, but after many hours of driving, we ended up with a flat tire right in the heart of their domain. This was the only time we were allowed to be outside the car. Steve, our guide, pierced the twilight silence by changing the tire. On the other side was a clearing with a small rift in the ground. A curious hyena was on the horizon, probably assessing whether we might become its next meal. We had only two game drives left, and I was determined to see the leopard. Upon our return to the lodge that evening, we learned that a scheduling conflict had forced Steve to step down as our guide. I was upset, as Steve was determined to spot the leopard for us, and we had two more game drives left! The lodge manager assisted us in strategizing our next steps and assured us she would do her best to ensure we saw a leopard before returning home. She had arranged a night drive and given us a new guide and a spotter, with only one goal: to spot the leopard! That evening, we drove through the darkness for hours; the headlights and infrared turned on when checking the bushes. Suddenly, the spotter exclaimed, “There!” We strained our eyes but couldn’t see anything in the pitch-black night. He insisted the leopard was there, pointing his infrared light at a tree. Excited by the prospect of spotting the leopard, we proceeded forward, slowly moving through the mud. Finally, we saw the leopard resting, draped over a branch. As we eagerly snapped photos, our safari vehicle became entangled in the mud! Our driver spent a few minutes figuring out how deep we were and how to get the truck out of the mud.  The commotion woke the leopard, who gracefully descended the tree. While we awaited assistance from another truck, the leopard observed us for some time before slowly vanishing into the bush. Fun Facts: Leopard spots are called rosettes because they resemble the shape of a rose flower. The rosettes help the leopard blend into the environment. “To truly understand Africa, you must go beyond the tourist trails and venture into the heart of the wilderness. It’s in the quiet moments, observing the animals in their natural habitats, that the continent reveals its secrets.” – Unknown. Author: CristyPhoto Credit: Nathan Stories from the Road Every journey has another story waiting to be discovered. Explore more experiences, cultures, wildlife, and people from around the world. EXPLORE ALL STORIES