‘When sightings are low but creativity is high…’
South Africa (29 April 2026) – A spot of safari humour to get you through hump day!
Wildlife photographer and safari guide William Steel knows all too well the tall orders that come with guests on a game drive. Wishlist sightings often include pangolin, wild dog and leopard… but out in the bush, there’s only so much you can do.
Usually, only luck delivers a leopard. Unless you’ve got William around. His spots may not be visible, nor his tail in sight… but there’s no mistaking that this, friends, is a real luiperd.
Steel took the opportunity to give his guests a laugh. When the ever-elusive leopard didn’t make an appearance, he stepped in as the stand-in.
William later shared the “rare sighting”, captured by Bruce Wighton, with his followers online…purely for the lols.
“When guests are desperate to see a leopard, so you have to improvise…”
The comments had us giggling:
“When sightings are low but creativity is high — acacia branch becomes VIP viewing deck!”
“Big leopard in the tree”
“You look more leopard than the leopard himself”
“Thank goodness you didn’t hoist up an impala kill too”
Steel confirmed that he climbed the tree safely and responsibly while at their sundowners spot on safari in Botswana. No one was harmed in the making of this leopard.
Just a note: Steel is an experienced guide — this is not your cue to climb a tree in the bush. Ever. Always stay safely inside your vehicle unless your guide says otherwise.
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