About Us Accommodation Packages Dining Transfers & Tours Experiences Search Search

Book Now
Newmark Home | Accommodation | Motswari Private Game Reserve | Blog

Tracking leopards with “The Leopard Man’s Son”

Posted on: 27 March 2019 Written by: Sean Cawood

Are tracking skills included in DNA passed through generations? Four Swedish guests and myself were about to find out.

The team leading our drive were Sinhle and his tracker Patrick Mkhari, son of Johannes “The Leopard Man” Mkhari, a highly skilled Tracker and Guide who was with Motswari from 1995 to 2018. Has Johannes passed on his skills to his son, like his father before him?


	
	
		motswari private game reserve leopard hlangana stretched out on a termite mound

Sinhle and Patrick converse, we think discussing where to start tracking or what their feelings and insights were. However, they could easily have been discussing the soccer results from the night before as none of us speak Shangaan. We set off slowly, Patrick’s eyes glued to the ground as we crawl slowly over the sandy terrain. We stop again, they both jump off the vehicle and announce they need to take a closer look on foot and see what they can find. The Swedish guests with me were on their very first safari, so this to them was not only exciting but a bit bewildering. After 10 minutes or so, one asks me – “are the keys in the vehicle?” I say yes, they are. Her reply, “oh good then if they don’t return you can drive us home”. I swiftly advised that if I was to attempt to navigate home from the far south of the reserve there’s every chance we’d end up in Mozambique by breakfast and that’s if we’re lucky! Needless to say, this didn’t calm their nerves, even though it might have lightened the mood.

Again, the team returned from their tracking expedition, pointed in a direction and explained that the leopards we’re tracking have definitely covered some ground. We set off again, everyone engrossed in the process of this hide and seek exercise. Sinhle and Patrick exit the vehicle once more, eyes darting left and right, searching for any sign of movement or presence. Back into the car, nearly 40 mins in total tracking off the vehicle, guests waiting, excitement building… suddenly, there 20 metres ahead of us Sinhle points and announces “there they are!” Gasps abound, movement to get the camera and binoculars ready and then we settle in to observe a mother and cub, chilling in the long grass just on the edge of a steep riverbank.


	
	
		nthombis cub

Nthombi was busy cleaning herself, then laying down to rest, whilst the little one was lying and keeping an eagle eye on us from her rocky bed. Watching her peer through the grass at us, not in anyway uncomfortable, just making sure she had an eye out for what this “thing” was that had come into their peaceful resting place. That silence that envelopes people when they’re in the presence of such beauty is so perfect, you can feel the immense privilege of being able to witness these incredible cats in their natural habitat. Totally unmoved by our presence, continuing their tranquil rest we sit in awe for about 10 minutes before it was time to meander back to camp.

A magical moment for anyone, especially for those on their first ever safari. In this instance, expert tracking created a beautiful sighting – it’s definitely not all about luck and timing, that tracking gene is evidently integral in the Mkhari DNA!


Sign up to receive inspiration in your inbox

Your information is secure and encrypted. For more information, see our terms and conditions.

X

BOOK DIRECT & ENJOY MORE

  • Early check-in or late check-out*
  • Complimentary room upgrade*
  • One glass of wine per person when joining for lunch or dinner*
  • Join our Newsletter & receive 10% off your booking
BOOK NOW

*Available at most hotels, resorts and lodges. Subject to availability.

You are using an outdated browser

Please upgrade your browser to view this website.

CALL US

Head Office: +27 21 427 5900                                  Reservations: +27 21 427 5901

+

EMAIL US

info@newmarkhotels.com

MAKE A RESERVATION

reservations@newmarkhotels.com

About Exclusive Offers Careers Contact Frequently Asked Questions
Newmark Blog Agents Media
Instagram Facebook Linkedin

Copyright © 2025 Newmark Hotels | All Rights Reserved

Covid-19 Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy
Loading...

Cookie Policy. Click the "read" button to read more about how we use cookies or "accept" to continue.

Read