There are never-ending surprises in the African bush. You never know what you are going to see, hear, smell, and that is the thrill of it!
I have travelled to Africa many times, yet each dawn of a new day, each sighting of a new animal, and each setting of the glorious African sun is awe-inspiring. Whether you’re a wide-eyed first-timer or a frequent visitor, Africa will not fail to get under your skin!
Last month I visited one of the most famed private game reserves on the continent, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve within the Kruger National Park and, WOW! This 65,000 hectare reserve is home to a myriad of wildlife and I was able to tick off all of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) with ease, as well as many other species including giraffe, hyena, springbok, kudu, impala and more.
There are four luxury private safari lodges within the reserve, all with distinct character and atmosphere. Selati Lodge is reminiscent of ‘yesterday’ complete with antiques from colonial times, whereas Bush Lodge and Little Bush Lodge have a ‘today’ feel with contemporary African design, and Earth Lodge is the zen-like lodge of ‘tomorrow’.
The lodges all offer thrilling morning and evening safaris when the wildlife is most active. During one such safari our tracker Moses found leopard tracks – enough to make your heart race! Sure enough, as we drove deeper into the bush we came across the leopard. She made a low, sawing noise and our guide Joe explained she was calling for her cub. Not having much luck, she decided she needed a higher vantage point and leapt up a tree, had a stretch and then lay down on a branch. The cameras went wild as she posed up a storm!
On another game drive, vultures were circling above us, such an ominous feeling! As we were driving along I spotted what I thought was an unusual coloured rock in the long grass. On closer inspection, it was actually a dead impala on the ground, belly up. We wondered why it had just been left there, untouched. Turned out we had interrupted a leopard’s dinner. Standing just five metres behind us, she ambled up to the impala – bigger than her – and dragged it to the cover of a thicket nearby. It took her three attempts as she had to have a breather during the process, but it was an absolutely incredible experience to be present and witness this natural part of life in the animal kingdom.
After thrilling safaris, it was always a delight to return to the lodge for some of the most incomparable dining experiences you can imagine! Perhaps a candlelit dinner served out in the bush, an alfresco meal under the stars next to a waterhole, or even a romantic dinner in the privacy of your suite – dinners at Sabi Sabi are always memorable!
Simply spectacular, Sabi Sabi and the African bush are waiting to take you on the adventure of a lifetime.
