Leopards of Arathusa
We are renowned for our leopard viewing. This elusive beautiful cat is an animal that is very often left unchecked on safari, and many of our guests who have enjoyed a number of safaris before have never gotten to see one in the wild. It is highly unlikely that you would leave Arathusa without having seen at least one leopard in its natural habitat.
Leopards are territorial animals, and we are so privileged to have a number of them with home ranges that span our traversing area.
We introduce you to some of the cats that we have come to know (and love) – each unique in respect of its markings and personality.
Leopards are most easily identified by their spot patterns. Just like a human’s fingerprint, a leopard’s spot pattern is one of a kind. These markers are found on the leopard’s cheeks, above the upper line of whiskers. The spot pattern is made up of the number of spots on the right cheek vs the left cheek, and is expressed as the two values in relation to one another, such as 4:3 or 5:5.
Leopards are either named after the areas they call home, or after specific personality traits.
Xidulu (female)
[5:5]
‘Xidulu’ (pronounced Shidooloo) means ‘termite mound’ in Shangaan.
She was born in September/October of 2014 to the Ingrid Dam Female, south of Arathusa Safari Lodge. Sired by Anderson Male, she is Arathusa’s resident territorial female.
Offspring: Cara (female) & Nhenhe (male)
Cara (female)
[3:4]
Cara means ‘beloved one’. She was born in December 2018 to mother Xidulu, and was sired by Hukumuri.
Nhenhe (male)
[4:4]
Nhenhe means Hero or Warrior. He was born in December 2022 to mother Xidulu, and was sired by Tortoise Pan.
Tiyani (female)
[3:3]
Tiyani means ‘strong one’ in Shangaan. She was born in May 2015 to Salayexe, west of Arathusa Safari Lodge, and was sired by Tingana.
Offspring: Ndzutini (female), Laluka (female)
Ndzutini (female)
[3:3]
‘Ndzutini’ means ‘one who likes shade’. She was born in December 2018 to mother Tiyani, and was sired by Hukumuri.
Laluka (female)
[4:3]
‘Laluka’ means ‘to grow in wisdom’. She was born in May 2021 to mother Tiyani, and was sired by Tortoise Pan.
Sibuye (female)
[2:2]
Sibuye was named after a location south of Arathusa. She was born in January 2014 to the Kikilezi Female, east of Arathusa, and is suspected to have been sired by the Airstrip Male.
Offspring: Shasha (male), Langa (female)
Shasha (male)
[2:2]
‘Shasha’ means ‘winner’ or ‘champion’. He was born in August 2019 to Sibuye, and is suspected to have been sired by the Molwati Male.
Sister: Langa (female)
Langa (female)
[2:2]
‘Langa’ means ‘sunshine’. She was born in August 2019 to mother Sibuye, and is suspected to have been sired by the Molwati Male.
Brother: Shasha (male)
Makhomsava (female)
[4:4]
Makhomsava means ‘Mother Earth’. She was born to Moya, south of Arathusa, and is suspected to have been sired by the Anderson Male.
Thandi (female) | Deceased
[3:3]
Thandi means ‘beloved’. She was born in November/December 2006, and died on 4 April 2022.
Her mother was Karula, and she is suspected to have been sired by either Mufufunyane or Yambilu.
Offspring: Kuchava (female), Tlalamba (female), and Maribye (male)
Kuchava (female)
[3:3]
Kuchava means ‘scared’. She was born in August/September 2014 to mother Thandi, and was sired by Mvula.
Offspring: Tsemba (male) & Ntsumie (female)
Tlalamba (female)
[5:5]
Tlalamba means ‘playful’ or ‘mischievous’. She was born in November 2017, east of Arathusa Safari Lodge, and was sired by Tingana.
Offspring: One male and one female (September/October 2021) – suspected to have been sired by Molwati.
Maribye (male)
[2:2]
Maribye means ‘of the rock’. He was born in March 2020 to mother Thandi, and was sired by Molwati.
Tavangumi (male)
[2:2]
Tavangumi means ‘home of the Klipspringer’. He was born in February 2018 to Schotia, south of Arathusa, and is suspected to have been sired by Nyeleti.
Tortoise Pan (male)
[4:3]
The Tortoise Pan Male was named after an area. He was born in July/August 2016 to the Ndzandzeni Female, south of Arathusa, and was sired by the Inyathini Male.
Eyrefield (male)
[3:2]
The Eyrefield Male leopard was named after an area. He was born in November 2017 to Emsagweni, and was sired by the Accipiter Male.
Molwati (male)
[2:2]
The Molwati Male was named after the Milowati River. He was born in January/February 2014 to Nightjar, north of Arathusa Safari Lodge, and was sired by either Rivoni or Waterside.
Hosana (male) | Deceased
[3:3]
Hosana means ‘Little Chief’. He was born in February 2016, south of Arathusa, and died on May 2022.
His mother was Karula and he is suspected to have been sired by Tingana.