On The Trail of Leopards

A Photo Safari to MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa.

South Africa hosts incredible biodiversity protected within the borders of various national parks and game reserves. The Kruger National Park is without a doubt the most well known, and not without good reason. The world-renowned park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. When it comes to African photo safaris, the private game reserves which border the national park offer the best opportunities to photograph the big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) up close and personal.

One of our favourite regions to take our guests for wildlife photography tours is the Sabi Sands. Having just returned from an ORYX Private Photo Safari to MalaMala Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands, I thought I would share a few images of the areas most iconic species – the leopard.

Over the course of our 5-night photo safari, we enjoyed a number of opportunities to photograph these beautiful big cats. They were certainly not easy to find! But the hours of searching along rocky outcrops, scanning dry riverbeds and eyeing suitable ‘leopard trees’ were well worth the effort when we eventually were rewarded with sightings – but that’s all part of what makes an African photo safari so special and exciting!

To observe and photograph these elusive big cats in their natural habitat is a real privilege. As a photographic guide for ORYX, being able to see my guests enjoying sighting like these and leaving with memories they will never forget, along with a portfolio they are happy with is what it is all about!

Kirsten Frost is a Photo Tour Leader and professional wildlife photographer who leads scheduled and private photo safaris exclusively for ORYX. If you would like to join Kirsten Frost on safari, send us an email to [email protected]. Adventure awaits.

Guest feedback from this ORYX photo safari: “Kirsten was great! For someone so young to be so skilled at leading a tour it is highly impressive. He is fun, friendly, warm, inquisitive, encouraging and enthusiastic in teaching new techniques and skills. I hope to travel with him again one day, he is going to go far!” – Nima Sarikhani, United Kingdom.