By the time that we were moving from Skukuzwa Rest camp to Satara Rest camp (90km) we had come three times a few minutes too late to spot a leopard. This is the way it happens with most carnivores so we still had a few more days so we still hoped to see one.

The plan was to stop at the Tshokwane Picnic site for a lunch break, before continuing our journey. We had stopped there a few years back and spotted a leopard on the opposite side of the river that we could watch for a while before it moved off into the thicket. We hoped that we could do it again!

Already before we entered the picnic site we realized that a lot of people have had the same idea and it was rather full, particularly with families with small children as it was school holiday time. Not only we realized that leopards would be a few kilometres away from the site but also that it would be difficult to find a table.

We persevered and found a reasonably shaded table that I occupied while Mabel went to collect our breakfast from the car.

Having “suffered” them in all the camps and picnic sites we had stayed during the trip, we were very aware of monkeys and we did not leave anything unattended, or the car open to neutralize their attempts at stealing our food.

Despite this, as soon as Mabel got out a banana that she was planning to cut, an undetected but vigilant Vervet monkey jumped from the tree above, bounced on the table, grabbed the banana and disappeared in a couple of seconds!

That did it. After swearing profusely to the monkey in several laguages, we had a change of plan, packed our food and left while we could hear other people having their own “monkey wars”. We would find a quiet place where we could enjoy our breakfast.

About five kilometres towards Satara we came to a loop road going to the Orpen dam and we took it.

After about four kilometres we crossed a small stream with running water and decided to turn around and park at a shady spot facing the stream where a couple of blacksmith plovers were feeding. We had a relaxed breakfast free from monkeys and also largely free from other people as only two cars drove past towards the dam.

Then, as it usually happens, when you are not ready, a leopard appeared! A large male walking leisurely following the course of the stream and marking its territory as it went. I grabbed the camera and shot to the moving feline that was walking through the thicket abot 50m from us and managed only a view of its rear end!

Luckily, it stopped at a clearing and I got one bad picture of the whole animal, at least to prove that we saw it!

And then it was gone and we thanked the monkey for stealing our banana!