Predator Showdown: Wild Dogs, a Leopard, and the Battle for a Kill

It was just after 6am, and our game vehicles had yet to leave the lodge gate when a flash of black and tan stopped us in our tracks. Just 10 metres away, a pack of endangered African wild dogs was trotting down the road. Within moments, they switched into hunting mode—darting in and out of the bush with lightning speed.

For several minutes, our guides tracked the pack, listening for signs in the bush. When a herd of kudu came crashing across the road, we knew the chase was still on. And just like that, we found ourselves alongside the dogs again, scouting the terrain for their next opportunity. As the excitement settled, Guide Khutso decided to take a quieter road. Little did he know it would lead to one of the most dramatic sightings of his guiding career.

Just around the bend, a young male leopard—Tumbela—was crouched in the grass, eyes locked on an unsuspecting impala. Our second vehicle joined him, and in complete silence, everyone watched as the leopard inched forward with practised precision.

Then, everything changed.

Out of nowhere, another impala came tearing through the bush—this one being pursued by the wild dogs we had left behind. Tumbela spotted his chance, shifted his focus, and dropped flat. A heartbeat later, the impala leapt across the road—straight into the ambush. With breathtaking speed, Tumbela launched into the air, intercepting the impala mid-stride and dragging it down in a flurry of hooves and dust. He held tight and looked around warily, knowing time was short. Sure enough, one wild dog came crashing in moments later, spotting the leopard before retreating to alert the pack.

Tumbela waited, listening. When no more dogs appeared, he began dragging his prize toward the river. He eyed a tree, likely hoping to stash the kill, but whether from exhaustion or inexperience, he disappeared into the thick riverine bush instead. Minutes later, the silence was shattered again as the wild dog pack—ten or more strong—came charging in, their sharp chirps of excitement piercing the air. They found the kill within seconds, and though we couldn’t see through the thicket, we could hear the chaotic sounds of feeding.

Just when we thought the morning couldn’t get more intense, it did. The commotion had drawn in a clan of spotted hyenas, their whoops echoing as they stormed in to steal what was left. The wild dogs scattered, and then—unexpectedly—Tumbela reappeared, leaping onto a low branch right beside our vehicle. Too wary of the hyenas to return, he waited patiently above the chaos. Only when things finally quieted did he slink into the grass and retrieve a single impala leg—his only reward for all that effort.

As the pandemonium subsided and Tumbela crept away into the bush, we took a moment to contemplate what we had just witnessed. Truly, a mind-boggling encounter! Sightings like these are rare, raw, and completely unforgettable—a real reminder that every game drive holds the potential for something extraordinary. At Klaserie Drift, the bush writes its own story. We’re just lucky enough to witness it.

Want to see it for yourself? Our guest caught the entire scene on camera! Watch their video on our YouTube channel here. 
 

Words and Photos by Emily Whiting