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Above: A leopard keeps a close eye on me as it laps up water one late afternoon. The mixed feelings of adrenalin, excitement and vulnerability that goes with experiencing
a large predator at eye-level is something that will stay with me forever.
Right: A close encounter with a curious and rather mischievous young male lion. Photographed using a 14mm lens from a small hatch at the side of the hide.
The trees here are mainly Mopane, Knob Thorn, Purple Pod Terminalia and Leadwood. The reserve derives its name from a large evergreen tree which in maturity forms a full, mushroom-shaped canopy. More commonly known as the Nyala Berry, (Xanthocersis zambesiaca), Mashatu Trees are prolific along the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers where they have access to fertile soil and plenty of water. I soon discovered that these beautiful trees are the perfect place for leopard. In fact, scanning their hanging branches is the surest method of finding one of these secretive cats.
Much of my time at Mashatu was spent in sunken hides, strategically placed in areas of prime game activity such as waterholes. They are in fact modified shipping containers, inside which one sits in complete safety, looking over the ground at eye level. All manner of
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