Some Breathtaking Leopard Pictures

These stunning leopard pictures are all set in the incomparable Kenya national parks. Leopards are a prized sighting during a Kenya safari because they are the most elusive of Kenyan family of the "Big Cats" which, besides cheetahs, also includes the African lion.

Leopard descending a tree in Masai Mara

Kenya is inhabited by 2 leopard species; the spotted and melanistic leopard. The latter, rarer species is also often referred to as the black panther.

The spotted leopard occurs in many of the Kenya national parks such Tsavo National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park and Nairobi National Park.

Mount Kenya National Park, Aberdare National Park and the must-visit Masai Mara National Reserve have particularly good leopard populations.

However, it the Samburu National Reserve that has the highest concentration of the spotted leopard and is your best bet for spotting and hearing this secretive and incredibly cunning "Big Cat" growling.

Spotted leopards can be seen in quasi-wild conditions at the Nairobi Safari Walk and in captivity at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.

The melanistic leopard is even more elusive than its spotted counterpart. Mount Kenya National Park and Aberdare National Park present the best opportunities for getting eyeball to eyeball with this leopard species.

Here now are a couple of Kenya leopard photos.