| I recently had the opportunity to embark on an | | | | spotted them without the ranger's help. |
| amazing African safari in the Sabi Sands Private | | | | Large herds of waterbuck, eland and impala |
| Game Reserve. This reserve lies on the border of | | | | grazed beside the Land Rover while we snapped |
| the internationally acclaimed Kruger National Park. | | | | away. Giraffes elegantly meandered past us while |
| All the fences between the Kruger Park and its | | | | Zebra galloped by. It was truly magnificent but we |
| surrounding private reserves have been | | | | were yet to see the main attractions: the big |
| systematically removed over the past 20 years | | | | cats. |
| allowing the animals to move freely. It is for this | | | | We had heard that the pride of lions most often |
| reason that the region is home to some of the | | | | seen in the area had made a kill the day before |
| greatest game viewing Africa has to offer. | | | | nearby; and would probably not move on for a |
| Sabi Sabi, a private game lodge in the Sabi Sands, | | | | few days. We resigned ourselves to the fact that |
| was my base during my safari holiday. The | | | | we would possibly not see lions but became |
| luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine and | | | | obsessed with encountering a leopard. |
| unbelievable service were rivaled only by the | | | | The Sabi Sands Private Reserve is one of the |
| superior game drives. Game drives take place at | | | | best locations in Africa to spot leopards, but as |
| dawn and at dusk as this is when the majority of | | | | they are largely nocturnal we pinned our hopes on |
| animals are out and about. | | | | the evening drives. |
| The Big Five | | | | Our first evening drive exposed us to a range of |
| Being one of the few Big Five game reserves in | | | | animals we would not have spotted during the |
| Africa our safari party was thrilled at the | | | | day. With the use of a spot light we set off in |
| possibility of witnessing the lion, elephant, buffalo, | | | | search of our leopard. Trees glittered with |
| rhino and leopard in their natural setting. | | | | chameleons as the light illuminated them; hares, |
| On our first day we encountered both a large | | | | bush babies and smaller buck were everywhere... |
| herd of elephant and a crash of rhino. Each | | | | but no sign of the leopard. |
| grouping consisted of beasts of different ages | | | | We set our hopes on the next evening's drive but |
| and sizes. We were fortunate enough to visit at | | | | once again returned to Sabi Sabi with the feeling |
| the time of year when many of the animals had | | | | that we had missed out on something really |
| given birth to the young and fascinating to watch | | | | spectacular. |
| members of their tribes. Watching an elephant | | | | On our third and final day we set off for our |
| which, although it weighs more than you, is tiny in | | | | early morning game drive not expecting to see |
| comparison to its mum and dad trying to | | | | any leopards as they are more commonly seen |
| negotiate its trunk around a young sapling is both | | | | at night. We were delighted when our ranger |
| amusing and awe-inspiring. | | | | received notification that there was a female just |
| It was amazing to see just how protective the | | | | behind our safari lodge. The Land Rover suddenly |
| groups are of their young. Often we think of the | | | | went hurtling off through the bush, as we ducked |
| wild as a harsh and unloving environment but once | | | | and dived to avoid bushes and thorn trees that |
| you've seen massive creatures tenderly caring for | | | | were no match for the Land Rover, our |
| their young, you'll leave with a different opinion. | | | | anticipation mounted. Finally the high speed chase |
| We also encountered a rather comical hyena who | | | | came to an end and we came face to face with |
| immediately reminded me of silly Ed in the Lion | | | | one of the most beautiful creatures on the planet. |
| King. Neither dog nor cat, these fascinating | | | | The female leopard moved to and fro with such |
| creatures seem to have incredibly unique | | | | grace that we were spellbound - we couldn't |
| personalities. | | | | believe our luck. As she moved we moved with |
| Without our private game ranger who entertained | | | | her, at one stage she was close enough for me |
| us with African myths and educated us about all | | | | to lean out of the vehicle and stroke her, which |
| things wild we would have been lost. Although a | | | | would have been amazing if she wasn't one of |
| self-drive safari holiday has appealed to me in the | | | | the most dangerous predators in Africa. As long |
| past I would no longer consider it. By going with | | | | as I live I will never forget the way I felt when I |
| an experienced ranger you will see so much more | | | | looked into her knowing eyes, the piercing gaze of |
| than you would if you were on your own, some | | | | the leopard was undoubtedly the highlight of my |
| of the most magnificent things I saw were right | | | | African safari. |
| underneath my nose and I would never have | | | | |