A Rare Encounter with Africa's Most Elusive Big Cat

Known as Giza Mrembo, meaning "the beautiful darkness" in Swahili, this rare melanistic leopard has captured the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.

In May 2023, Wild Wings Safaris guide Simon Vegter embarked on a journey to Laikipia Wilderness Camp in search of Giza, hoping to witness and photograph one of Africa's most elusive big cats.

Spotting a leopard in the wild is always an extraordinary experience, but encountering a black leopard is something truly special. Black leopards, sometimes referred to as black panthers, are not a separate species but a melanistic variant of the African leopard (Panthera pardus).

In 2019, photographer Will Burrard-Lucas captured the first scientific documentation of a black leopard in Africa in nearly a century, using camera traps in Laikipia. Since then, Laikipia has become one of the best-known places to see black leopards in the wild. 

While at least three melanistic leopards have been spotted in the area, the most famous and most frequently seen is Giza Mrembo. Born and raised less than a kilometre from Laikipia Wilderness Camp, Giza has captivated wildlife enthusiasts and photographers with her striking presence. Unlike many leopards that remain elusive, she is remarkably relaxed around safari vehicles, allowing for some of the most extraordinary black leopard sightings ever documented.

Visitors from around the world travel to Laikipia for the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of Giza, a living testament to nature's genetic marvels.

Melanism is a recessive genetic trait, meaning both parents must carry and pass on the gene for their offspring to display this rare condition. In black leopards, a specific mutation affects the gene responsible for coat colouration, leading to an overproduction of eumelanin, the pigment responsible for black colouration.

Despite their dark appearance, the classic rosette pattern remains visible in certain lighting, revealing the leopard's signature markings beneath the inky coat.

Giza Mrembo, Laikipia's famous black leopard, inherited this trait from her parents. While her mother is a typical spotted leopard, her father is believed to be melanistic, meaning both carried the recessive gene necessary for Giza's striking black coat.

Giza was first spotted as a young cub alongside her golden-coated mother during Kenya's devastating 2022 drought. With food scarce, she learned to adapt quickly, developing a unique hunting strategy. Unlike her spotted relatives, Giza couldn't rely on traditional leopard camouflage. Instead, she became an opportunistic predator, covering large distances and ambushing prey in open terrain.

Her life has been one of challenge and resilience. A dominant male leopard in the area frequently stole her kills, forcing Giza to become even more resourceful. She adapted by making multiple kills per night. One to satisfy her competitor and another to feed herself. This determination has solidified her reputation as a true survivor of the African wilderness.

Giza's story has continued to unfold. Now around seven years old, she is mother to two golden-coated cubs, a female named Zawadi and a male named Nyota, fathered by a spotted male known as Kovu. By 2026, both had grown into strong sub-adults. Although young leopards would normally be approaching independence at this age, Giza has continued to hunt for them, share food and spend time with them well beyond the point at which observers expected the family to separate.

Neither cub inherited Giza's black coat. Melanism is a recessive trait, so an offspring must inherit the relevant gene from both parents to display the characteristic dark colouration.

Wildlife photographers and safari-goers dream of capturing a black leopard on camera, but only a lucky few succeed. Simon Vegter's visit to Laikipia Wilderness Camp in May 2023 provided a rare opportunity to photograph Giza in her natural habitat. With patience and expert guiding, he managed to document this breathtaking feline as she navigated the rugged terrain.

Simon's images highlight not only Giza's rare beauty but also her strength and adaptability in an unforgiving environment. Each photograph serves as a testament to the importance of conservation efforts that protect these extraordinary creatures.

For those hoping to see Giza, Laikipia Wilderness Camp offers one of the best opportunities to search for a black leopard in Kenya. Giza was born and raised less than a kilometre from the camp and is unusually relaxed around safari vehicles. At least three other black leopards have also been recorded within the conservancy, although they are considerably more elusive. As with any wild animal, sightings of Giza are never guaranteed. 

• Stay for several nights. Laikipia Wilderness recommends staying four to seven nights if seeing Giza is a particular priority. Even then, sightings can never be guaranteed.
• Consider booking a Black Leopard vehicle. The camp limits vehicle numbers and viewing time at black leopard sightings. Guests who have booked a dedicated Black Leopard private or shared vehicle receive priority access if Giza is found. These vehicles still operate as normal game-drive vehicles and search for other wildlife too.
• Don't make Giza your only reason for visiting. Laikipia is an outstanding safari destination in its own right, with excellent general wildlife viewing and one of Kenya's best opportunities to see African wild dogs. If Giza appears, consider it an extraordinary bonus.

Giza's relative comfort around safari vehicles gives visitors an unusual opportunity to observe a melanistic leopard in the wild, but habituation should never be mistaken for domestication. She remains a wild leopard, and sightings are managed carefully to minimise disturbance.

• Vehicle numbers and time at sightings are limited.
• Black leopard-focused drives operate within set hours.
• Spotlights are fitted with red filters.
• Guides may end a sighting immediately if Giza shows signs of stress.
• Vehicles do not move while she is actively hunting.
• If she makes a kill and remains with it, vehicles leave her to feed undisturbed.

By keeping sightings respectful and low-impact, visitors have the rare opportunity to observe Giza in the wild without putting the needs of photographers and safari-goers ahead of hers. 

Laikipia's black leopards are part of a much wider conservation story in the region, where habitat protection and responsible tourism help safeguard wildlife and the landscapes on which it depends.

Giza's story is a reminder of nature's resilience and the delicate balance of the African wilderness. She is not just a rare photographic subject. She represents the untamed beauty and enduring spirit of Laikipia's leopards.

If seeing a black leopard is high on your safari wish list, we can help you build Laikipia into a wider Kenya itinerary and advise on the length of stay and arrangements that give you the best opportunity of encountering Giza while making sure the safari is rewarding whether she appears or not.