Who was Olimba?
Olimba became well known for her consistent presence and remarkable behaviour. A fierce hunter and devoted mother, she was a regular and memorable sighting for guests staying at Nsefu Camp, Tena Tena and Luangwa Bush Camping allowing many to follow her story over several years rather than through fleeting encounters.
In 2015, Olimba made a powerful first appearance in the heart of the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, displacing an older resident female known as Hazel Eyes — later called Kamuti in the television series Africa’s Hunters. Having moved in from Chimbwe Lagoon, this young leopard quickly claimed prime territory around the Stork Colony, where she thrived as an accomplished hunter. She was named Olimba, meaning strength in the local Zambian language — a fitting name for a leopard known for her confidence, courage, and elusive nature. Over time, she earned the title “The Leopard Queen,” becoming one of South Luangwa’s most iconic leopards.
Why was she famous?
Olimba’s reputation grew from both her presence and her personality. A fierce and highly skilled hunter, as well as a devoted mother, she became one of the most consistent and memorable leopard sightings for guests staying at Nsefu Camp and Tena Tena. Her confidence, resilience, and unmistakable character set her apart, making her a leopard that guides, guests, and filmmakers alike came to know and recognise over time.
Her story was brought to a wider audience by award-winning wildlife filmmakers Will & Lianne Steenkamp https://intonatureproductions.com/, who are based at Nsefu Camp. They were responsible for naming her Olimba — meaning strength in the local Zambian language, a name chosen because it perfectly reflected her nature as a formidable hunter and devoted mother. Recognizing early on that she was something extraordinary, Will and Lianne went on to feature Olimba in several documentaries, most notably their award-winning film Leopard Legacy, which centres on her life. For nearly a decade, Olimba and her offspring made their home in our ‘backyard’.
Her Story...
We began regularly seeing Olimba the leopard in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park around 2015, and over the following years her story became increasingly compelling. Early on, she gave birth to a cub, keeping it well hidden in the thick vegetation between Chimbwe Lagoon and Mamma Mia Lagoon, while honing her reputation as an exceptional hunter. Her favoured hunting ground was the gully near the Stork Colony, where many of our guests encountered her — resting patiently, moving silently through the gully, or, for the very lucky, witnessing her in action.
During the Emerald Season, seasonal flooding in the Nsefu Sector meant Will and Lianne were unable to follow Olimba for several months. When access returned after the rains, she revealed a surprise: two newborn cubs. What followed was a rare and intimate look at both her vulnerability and strength as a mother, as she navigated the constant challenge of protecting and providing for her young in one of Africa’s most dynamic wilderness areas.
Her Legacy...
Sadly, after 14 incredible years, Olimba the leopard passed away late 2025, closing a remarkable chapter in South Luangwa’s wildlife story. Over more than a decade, Olimba became one of the most iconic leopards in the Nsefu Sector, captivating filmmakers, guides, and safari guests alike.
Her legacy lives on through the acclaimed documentaries that captured her life, including Leopard Legacy and the BBC series Kingdom. Beyond the screen, her story continues through her offspring, who still roam the Luangwa Valley, and in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of witnessing her strength, beauty, and spirit firsthand.
Her Home...
Olimba lived her life in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, in a special and largely unchanged area known as the Nsefu Sector — a place where Robin Pope Safaris has been operating for more than 40 years. These lagoons, woodlands, and riverbanks formed the backdrop to her story and to the filming of BBC Kingdom, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. If Olimba’s story has inspired you, there’s no better way to connect with it than by visiting the place she called home.
In 2026, we are offering an exclusive six-guest safari: Nsefu Kingdom Safari led by Keyala “Kiki” Phiri, celebrating Olimba and the Kingdom series, and exploring the Nsefu landscapes that inspired the documentary — with the chance to encounter some of its wildlife stars in their natural habitat.
Leopard Legacy - Olimba's Story revisited
Leopard Legacy is an intimate portrait of an extraordinary female leopard ‘Olimba’, who survives in South Luangwa’s Nsefu Sector. It’s a true story about her trials and tribulations as a mother and a hunter, in which we show aspects of a leopard’s life that are unique in every way.
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