Okavango Delta Leopard Sighting
Chasing the Okavango Leopard
Wild Dogs, Lions, and the Magic of the Delta
We arrived at the edge of the Okavango Delta, and the adventure only intensified. Wild dogs, a massive leopard, lions, hippos, and a sunset mokoro canoe trip — this was one of those days that reminds you why you do this.
The journey continued, and we found ourselves at the edge of something truly special: the Okavango Delta.
After the magic of Chobe and Savuti, the delta felt like a different world. The landscape changed. The air felt different. And the wildlife — well, the wildlife was every bit as spectacular as we'd hoped.
We arrived at the gate, registered, signed in, and settled in for lunch before heading to camp. But the real adventure was only just beginning.
The Wild Dogs
On the way into the park, we got treated to something rare. Wild dogs. They're elusive, fleeting, and incredibly special to see. You can't plan for them — they just appear, and if you're lucky, they stick around long enough to get a few shots.
These ones were nice and settled where they were, so we had time to watch them, photograph them, and appreciate how rare the moment was. It set the tone for what was to come.
Wild dogs — rare, fleeting, and absolutely beautiful to see.
The Leopard
And then — word came over the radio. Leopard spotted.
It's one thing to look for wildlife in the bush. It's another thing entirely to get a call like that. The drivers communicate constantly, sharing information, helping each other find the animals. It's a community effort, and it's incredible to watch.
The roads were bouncy, choppy, and exhilarating. We rushed to the location, fingers and toes crossed. And then we saw her. A big female leopard, moving through the bush with that incredible, effortless elegance.
She was a big girl. We had to be extra careful not to spook her — she was sensitive, and we were guests in her territory. So we stayed quiet, kept our distance, and watched.
She moved through the bush, shadow-like, disappearing and reappearing. I was waiting for that one shot — the one where she looks straight at me, the one that makes you feel like you've captured something real. The drivers were incredible, positioning the vehicles perfectly, giving us every opportunity.
Fleeting glimpses of a shadow moving through the bush.
And then it happened. She stopped, turned, and looked right at us. That moment. That one frame. That's what you're chasing. It's exhilarating. It's why you get up before dawn and sit in a bumpy truck for hours. Moments like that make it all worth it.
That one shot — the one where she looked straight at me. Pure magic.
The Lions
Word around the campfire was that there were lions about. And if there were lions in the Okavango Delta, I had a story to tell.
Years ago, I had a National Geographic magazine with a feature on the lions of the Okavango Delta. The images were incredible — these stacked, muscular lions that had to run through water to hunt. They looked like they could rip your face off. They were everything you'd imagine a delta lion to be.
The lions we saw? They were sleepy. Lazy. Big lumps. Nothing like the beefy National Geographic lions I'd built up in my head.
But you know what? I didn't care. I was in the Okavango Delta, photographing lions. That was enough. The juxtaposition between the excitement of seeing them and the inherent danger they represent — it's a wonderful feeling. They're beautiful, powerful animals, and every sighting is a privilege.
Big lumps — but beautiful nonetheless.
That look. Powerful, calm, knowing.
The Hippos
On the way back to the lodge, we came across hippos. A whole family of them, with birds on their backs. It's such a classic African scene, and I love it every time. The bird-hippo relationship is a favourite of mine to photograph — the contrast between the massive, lumbering hippo and the delicate birds perched on its back.
Hippo and birds — a classic African scene that I never get tired of.
And then there was the elephant.
This particular image I absolutely love. It's an environmental portraiture shot — the elephant in its habitat, the balance of the composition, the depth of field. Everything just worked. The light, the subject, the moment. I'm really, really happy with how this one turned out.
An environmental portrait — the elephant in its habitat, everything balanced perfectly.
My favourite bird image from the entire trip — so elegant, so colourful.
The water lilies — beautiful, delicate, and peaceful.
The Mokoro Canoe Trip
After the excitement of the morning, the afternoon brought something completely different. We were going on a mokoro canoe trip — a traditional dugout canoe — through the delta.
It was a sharp contrast to the morning's exhilaration. Peaceful, tranquil, gentle. Our guide, Lena, pulled us through the water, and we drifted among the water lilies. The light was soft, the air was warm, and the whole experience was wonderfully relaxing.
A mokoro canoe — peaceful, tranquil, the perfect end to an incredible day.
Being so low to the water gave me a unique perspective on the lilies and flowers. It was a chance to slow down, to photograph something different, to appreciate the details. The sunset was beautiful, and everyone was relaxed and happy. It was a perfect way to end the day.
Reflections
Chobe was amazing, but there was something about the delta that felt extra special. The trees, the water, the light — everything came together. And the way the evening ended, serene and peaceful, was the perfect contrast to the excitement of the morning.
This place has been incredible. The sightings, the landscapes, the people. I'm so grateful to be here.
We packed up and moved on, heading to N'Pan (I never could quite pronounce it right). But the memories of the delta — the wild dogs, the leopard, the lions, the hippos, the mokoro at sunset — will stay with me for a long time.
Botswana, I absolutely love you. This has been a magic time.
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But for now, I'll see you all on the next one. Take it easy, everybody. Cheers.
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