Giza - The Black Leopard of Laikipia
Giza is one of the world's most famous black leopards, a melanistic leopard residing in the Laikipia Plateau of central Kenya. Her striking all-black coat, caused by a genetic mutation that produces excess melanin, makes her one of the rarest and most sought-after wildlife sightings in Africa. Black leopards are exceptionally rare on the continent, with only a handful confirmed in the last century, making Giza a truly extraordinary animal. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts travel from around the world to the Laikipia region hoping to catch a glimpse of this elusive beauty, often spending multiple days on dedicated tracking expeditions.
Quick Facts
- Species
- Leopard
- Variation
- Melanistic (Black Leopard)
- Location
- Laikipia
- Country
- Kenya
- Status
- Alive (Last seen 2025)
The Story of Giza
Giza first gained international attention when photographs of her emerged from the Laikipia Plateau in central Kenya, one of the only places in Africa where melanistic leopards have been reliably documented. While black leopards (also called black panthers) are relatively common in the dense tropical forests of Southeast Asia, where melanism is thought to provide a camouflage advantage in low-light conditions, African black leopards are exceptionally rare. Before Giza, only a handful of confirmed sightings had been recorded across the entire continent over the past century, with most occurring in Kenya's highlands and Ethiopia.
The first widely circulated photographs of a black leopard in Africa in nearly a century were captured in 2019 by wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas using camera traps at Laikipia Wilderness Camp. These images went viral worldwide and brought unprecedented attention to the area. Giza was subsequently identified and named, becoming arguably the most famous individual leopard in Africa.
What makes Giza particularly special is her relative habituation to vehicles, allowing for extraordinary photographic opportunities that would be impossible with most wild leopards. She has been observed hunting, resting in trees, and going about her daily life on the Laikipia Plateau, providing unprecedented insights into the behavior of these magnificent cats. Her territory overlaps with several private conservancies in the Laikipia region, and dedicated tracking teams monitor her movements.
Giza's presence has transformed the Laikipia region into a bucket-list destination for wildlife photographers. Lodges and conservancies in the area have seen a significant increase in bookings from visitors specifically hoping to see her, demonstrating how individual animals can drive conservation awareness and ecotourism. Her fame has also drawn attention to the broader conservation importance of the Laikipia Plateau, which supports the second-highest wildlife density in Kenya after the Masai Mara.
How to Identify Giza
Giza is a melanistic leopard, meaning her coat appears almost entirely black due to excess melanin pigmentation. Despite appearing solid black at first glance, her rosette patterns (the characteristic spots of all leopards) are still present and become visible in certain lighting conditions, particularly in direct sunlight or when photographed with infrared camera traps. This is because melanism affects the background color of the fur but not the rosette pattern itself. She has the typical leopard build: a muscular body, powerful legs, and a long tail.
Distinctive Features
- Almost entirely black coat caused by melanism
- Rosette (spot) patterns visible in direct sunlight and infrared photography
- Female leopard, medium build
- Active in the Laikipia Plateau area of central Kenya
- Eyes reflect green-gold in torchlight
Where to See Giza
Best time: Sightings are never guaranteed, but the camps that specialize in tracking Giza offer the best chances
Tips for Finding Giza
- 1Contact us for recommendations on camps that offer Giza sighting experiences
- 2Book multiple nights to increase your chances of a sighting
- 3Bring a good telephoto lens for photography
- 4Be patient; she can go days without being seen
- 5Email us at hello@africaunpacked.com for more information
Facts About Giza
Black leopards in Africa are extremely rare, with fewer than a dozen confirmed sightings in the last century before Giza's documentation
Melanism is caused by a recessive allele of the ASIP gene that produces excess black pigment (melanin)
Despite appearing black, Giza's rosette (spot) pattern is still present and visible in direct sunlight or infrared photography
The term 'black panther' refers to melanistic leopards (and jaguars), not a separate species
Giza has become an ambassador for leopard conservation in Kenya and across Africa
Her territory is in the Laikipia Plateau, which has the second-highest wildlife density in Kenya after the Masai Mara
The first widely published photographs of a confirmed African black leopard in nearly 100 years were taken in Laikipia in 2019 using camera traps
Black leopards are far more common in Southeast Asia (up to 50% in some forest populations) than in Africa (less than 11%)
Melanism is thought to provide a camouflage advantage in dense, dark forests, which may explain why it is rarer in Africa's more open habitats
Giza's fame has boosted ecotourism in the Laikipia region, directly supporting local conservation efforts
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