Leopard at Elsa Kopje

What a night. I have never been so intimidated in my entire life. We were told that a Leopard had been around camp and tonight, she was back. It was just 2 hours ago that I was awakened buy the most bone chilling sound I have ever experienced....to describe the sound, it was a continuous rolling huff... Like a 2 cigar hack - imagine this sound as deep as possible....RRRR-HUFF! RRRR-HUFF! .... Now imagine it 20 time in a row in only a matter of what seemed to be 10 seconds... I had the Walkie Talkie in one hand, my knife in the other with a flash light. I waited and waited and waited. The finally one loud HUFF and Jasmina woke up. "WHAT WAS THAT!?!". I stopped her in her tracks with a quick 'shut-up'.... The Leopard was still within range and I radioed for help. 2 rangers were with us in a flash! They checked the parameter and the Leopard had moved on. One ranger told me not to be frightened (ya-right) and that I could just wave around my flashlight in the dark if present and she would leave. He also said he would stick around until morning. The sun is slowly rising and it has been the longest 2 hours of my life. Jasmina is okay, but frazzled as I am/was. Trust me, its not like having a raccoon sniffing around your tent!

We have to respect the fact that we are on her mountain and in her territory...... I do now, believe me.

We have one more night here. Hopefully less interesting :-)

TTYL