Leopard started as a travel company that created holidays for visitors who want to vacation in Southern Africa. Because of our links to both South Africa and France, the natural next step was to create holidays for people who want to visit France. We chose the name Leopard because it is one of the only African animals that is spelt the same way in English and in French. In France, you will not see a leopard in the wild but may see leopard print on the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week!
Despite being a highly adaptable animal, the leopard is now classed as vulnerable. As human populations expand, leopard habitats are reduced and fragmented, bringing our two species into increasing conflict. An illegal trade in its body parts persists, with hunters targeting the leopard for its highly desirable skin.
Like our fingerprints, each leopard has a unique pattern of spots on its coat. In the same way, each of our itineraries is created uniquely for you!
The Leopard is the most graceful and elegant of all the African cats. It is revered as a totem animal among the Zulu people, who call the leopard ingwe. For them, the leopard symbolises all that is noble, courageous and honourable. Leopard skins are used in ceremonial wear by Zulu royalty. In West Africa the leopard is a symbol of wisdom, and leopard images are frequently carved by Ife and Benin sculptors. This name embodies some of the attributes that make our company unique.