A staredown in the bush

Feb 20, 2025

Some game drives start with a plan. Others…start with a wish and a whole lot of luck. This one had both. If you remember Fortune - our guide whose name is as fitting as his knack for finding wildlife, a few days ago, he was as usual, navigating through the lush greenery of Hwange.

This time of year, the greenery is so thick it makes spotting animals a little challenging. This is when you need an experienced guide like our Fortune to turn the odds in your favour. With the thick foliage making every sighting feel like a victory, we were ready for anything…or so we thought.

Just as the drive seemed to settle into a peaceful cruise, the universe threw in a plot twist. A leopard. Not lurking in the shadows or sneaking through the grass, but launching itself onto a tree with the confidence of someone who knows they own the place. It wasn’t spooked at all. Oh no no. It climbed purely for the view, settling onto a thick branch, watching our burnt-orange safari vehicle roll in.

For a few glorious minutes, it just sat there, tail twitching, eyes locked, soaking in the moment. Maybe it liked the attention a little too much? Maybe it was unimpressed? Either way, the cameras clicked, the leopard posed and then just like that, the moment passed. We drove off and the leopard stayed exactly where it was, watching us disappear. Probably wondering if we’d ever spot anything cooler than her that day. (Spoiler: we didn’t.)

These are the kind of moments that remind us: life isn’t always about the planned milestones or grand adventures. Sometimes, it’s about the unexpected pauses, the silent staredowns and the quiet reminders that there’s a beautiful world out there, whether we notice it or not.

All this to say, when you visit Hwange, you never know when you’ll find yourself in a staredown with the Queen of the Tree. And she might even let you get the photo… leaving you with a little more perspective than you expected.