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Camp rumour has it that a leopard has killed an impala and dragged the carcass up in a tree in the camp. Katerina the American artist and I go for a stroll to see if we can see anything. We find the impala in the tree, its eyes empty and glazed over with death, its neck broken and throat bloodied. There is, however, no sign of the leopard.
We realize this is our first time wandering around without the security of Mike’s or Bernard’s company and that predators can be about, so we make our way back to the safety of our camp.
The afternoon’s foray brings our little group back to the leopard tree, as we come to call it. We bring the car, camp stools and cameras and hunker down with books and cups of tea. We lie in wait for the leopard that is sure to return to fetch its meal in the tree. It turns out that it is hiding in the tree next to the tree with the impala kill.
Meanwhile, an elephant decides to have a meal here, too. It tears down branches, chomps leaves and gets closer and closer. Finally, we decide it is getting too close for comfort. Mike tells us to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. I close my book and pack my camera in my backpack. Suddenly Mike says “Go! Move, move, move!” with so much urgency in his voice that my adrenaline level shoots up.
We walk quickly away, circumventing a termite mound to get back to the safety of the car. I trip on a branch and fall flat on my face, pricking my hands, all the while thinking of the elephant. Is he going to trample me? Is he right behind me? Where is he?
With the group safely back in the car, Mike and Bernard make quick dashes back to our spot to pick up the camp chairs, cameras and backpacks that got left behind in the rush.
Later on, as we drive around to find a better place from which to stake out the leopard tree we get a great view of a second leopard lying in the grass. We find a spot to park and stay in the car to watch the scene unfold. Leopard no. 2 approaches, climbs up to the impala carcass and starts to eat. Bits of meat and entrails drop to the ground to the great delight of four hyenas who have been hanging around waiting for just this moment.
