Leopard

The Seronera River area in central Serengeti is the most consistent leopard territory in Africa, with several resident females whose ranges overlap the main game drive circuit. Tarangire and Lake Manyara also hold strong populations. A Legend Expeditions northern circuit safari gives you multiple days in the best leopard country.

Leopards are the trickiest of the Big Five to find because they are solitary, nocturnal, and almost perfectly camouflaged. On a well guided safari of six or more days through the northern circuit, your odds of a clear sighting are very high. Experienced Legend Expeditions guides know the resident cats and where they prefer to rest.

Leopards are crepuscular, which means they hunt mainly in the hour around dawn and the hour around dusk. During the heat of the day they sleep in trees or on shaded rocks, which is actually when they are easiest to photograph because they are visible and stationary. Early starts from camp give you the best behavioural sightings.

Leopards are bulkier and more muscular with rosette patterns, which are rings of black around a darker centre, and they live in trees and dense cover. Cheetahs are slimmer and built for running, with solid round spots and a black tear mark from each eye, and they prefer open plains. You will see both on a Tanzania safari.

Yes, and regularly. A leopard can haul a carcass heavier than itself vertically up a tree to eat in safety away from lions and hyenas. In the Serengeti you will often see a half eaten impala draped over an acacia fork before you ever spot the cat that put it there.

Leopards almost never approach vehicles or people on safari and are far more interested in avoiding lions and hyenas than in interacting with you. The standard safety rules apply: stay seated, keep voices low, and never get out of the vehicle in big cat country. Your Legend Expeditions guide manages every approach.