June has been a remarkable month for big cat sightings in South Luangwa. From dramatic kills to tender moments between mothers and cubs, guests and guides alike have been treated to unforgettable encounters with leopards and lions throughout the park. Below is a highlight of some of the many memorable sightings we’ve had this month…

3rd June

On a morning game drive, Patrick and his guests spotted Chipazua and her cub, Tapiwa, along Geo-Source Loop. Tapiwa, whose name means “we have been given” in the local language, is still quite shy but the guests were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her as Chipazua fed on a baboon kill.

6th June

In the morning, Elias and his guests tracked Chipazua and Tapiwa once again. Chipazua was nursing her cub and feeding on another baboon kill near Acacia Loop. That same morning, Patrick and his guests saw two lionesses from the Mwamba-Kaingo pride resting near the Elephant Hide. Later that afternoon, Chipazua was seen again, sleeping on a log.

9th June

During an afternoon drive, Sly and his guests encountered three lions, one female and two sub-adult males, lounging on the road between Two Trees Crossing. Later, one male climbed a dead tree while the female was seen near Guinea Fowl Plain. The drive continued with a leopard sighting near Leopard Loop, followed by Chipazua and Tapiwa feeding on a baboon under a bush.

10th June

On a morning game drive, Sly and his guests tracked two male lions, Zeus (with a large mane) and Apollo (distinguished by a scar on his nose), at Gideon Loop. The pair was seen feeding on a buffalo.

12th June

Philemon and his guests tracked Chipazua as she hunted baboons near Acacia Loop on a morning game drive.

15th June

Elias and his guests saw an older male leopard feeding on a hyena up a tree by Ebony Grove. Nearby, Fundi was also seen – likely attracted by the scent! That same morning, they also found two male lions feeding on an old buffalo close to Mwamba Bush Camp. In the afternoon, they saw Mwezi patrolling the Hippo Hide area, with a puku kill nearby.

17th June

Zeus was found resting under a sausage tree at Fish Eagle Lagoon by Patrick and his guests, still looking well-fed after the buffalo kill from previous days.

19th June

Sly and his guests found Chipazua and Tapiwa finishing off some impala remains. Afterwards, they saw the East Mwamba coalition lying down and relaxing near the crossing.

20th June

Patrick and his guests had an incredible double leopard sighting – Mwezi and the older male, who nearly bumped into each other before heading off in opposite directions.

21st June

On a morning drive, Elias and his guests saw Mwezi with an impala kill near the Old Mobile Hide. A hyena stole it, but Fundi soon arrived, fought the hyena, reclaimed the impala, and hoisted it into a tree.

22nd June

Patrick and his guests found two lionesses from the Mwamba-Kaingo pride moving from Chamboo Mouth to Kamima Mouth near Ebony Grove, where they later joined up with some males. In the afternoon, they spotted a large male leopard resting near the Old Mobile Hide, possibly hunting baboons.

23rd June

Patrick and his guests found the older male leopard by Ebony Grove again. He appeared to have an injury on his face.

24th June

In the morning, Patrick and his guests saw two females from the Hollywood pride resting by the roadside after walking through camp from Fish Eagle Lagoon. They also found Apollo patrolling from Chamboo to Ebony Forest, calling for his brother. Later, they saw Taonga at Fish Eagle Lagoon looking well-fed.

26th June

Philemon and his guests found Fundi drinking at the mouth of the Ebony Grove before he disappeared into the thickets. Chipazua was also tracked that morning near Fish Eagle Lagoon, hiding an impala kill that she was sharing with Tapiwa.

28th June

Chappy and his guests encountered 11 members of the Hollywood pride basking in the morning sun with empty bellies near the Main Shelf. They later spotted a lone lioness near Chisomo Loop, where guides suspect she may be hiding cubs.
On their way back to camp, they had one final surprise — Chipazua, resting high in an ebony tree, calmly surveying the bush below.