How Mireille Captured This Leopard

In 2016, during a four-month stay in South Africa, we spent countless days exploring Kruger National Park. By the end of our stay, we had already enjoyed many unforgettable wildlife sightings and felt incredibly fortunate with everything we had seen.

On one of our final safaris, there was still one animal high on our wish list: a leopard. That morning, Guido decided to stay behind and relax at the house. After months in the bush, he felt he had already experienced more than enough special sightings. Before Mireille left, he did something he almost never does, he handed over his camera. A professional camera with a large telephoto lens that normally never leaves his hands.

For hours the safari drive remained quiet. There was little wildlife activity and it seemed as if the day would end without any major sightings. Then, suddenly, a leopard appeared in a tree right beside the road.

The cat was perfectly positioned, almost at eye level with the vehicle. Behind it, the valley stretched into the distance, filled with the warm colours of the African winter. It was one of those moments that photographers dream about.

For several minutes the leopard calmly ignored the vehicle. Then, just as the guide started the engine, it briefly turned and looked directly into the camera.

Mireille pressed the shutter at exactly the right moment.

Looking back, he still regrets not joining that safari. But at least the photograph came home with Mireille.