Safari 2013-South Africa Sabi Sands.

My fifth Safari my hundredth drive began with a beautiful sighting of the southern pride their cubs and even KNP-Kruger Park Male lurking in the background.

Leopards of The Sabi Sands-Ulusaba Day 2

The Sabi Sands is known for the density of wildlife. The big cats are my favorite. The rangers and the trackers follow subtle signs to track these solitary big cats. Sometimes the tracks are obvious-well a track of something is obvious but, they can tell the type of animal, whether it's a cat , what type of cat, the direction it was heading and approximately how long ago. This under dry conditions when the cats are using the sandy clay roads. Sometimes their difficult job becomes even more challenging if perhaps it rained during the night. With all of that it would seem unlikely to spot these shy big cats and yet I think I am six for six. Day six I see my sixth leopard. These are number five and number six. As you see there are some things that distinguish them from each other. The way the professionals distinguish them is the number of spots on the the upper row beneath their nose-it's like a finger print.

Coalition of Three-Ulusaba Sabi Sands Day 2

 After rough ride around what felt like the entire reserve -(there is no map quest when navigating these roads-"turn left at the jackleberry tree and then a right at the termite mound three male lions are hanging around the hippo pool you know the one) we come upon this jaw dropping view. Ranger Sean and tracker James asked what was on my list of things I wished to see. Just as I requested upon my arrival "I would love to see male lions- male lions drinking at a watering hole would be great." Seriously perfect. They can't promise but amazingly there they were. Photography tip-always be ready or the moment may be gone. The photograph above was from the second we pulled onto the site. Less than 10 seconds later he was on the move. One was drinking, the other was resting in the shade of nearby tree. Next thing you know they are on the move as shown below. Two vehicles take turns being in prime positions for the perfect shot like this. We follow behind them , then in front of them as they take the road and we take the bumpy ride and cut through the bush(there is a lot of ducking going on. We sit awaiting the three to reunite. Pictures can't capture what it was like to be the ones along side these large beautiful male lions as they rub heads as they come together for a brief moment before they continue on their hunt for lunch or perhaps the perfect resting place during the heat of the midday sun.

Ulusaba Sabi Sands South Africa-Afternon drive 1

Sitting in the darkness knowing you are surrounded be three large male lions is a heart racing moment in life. An occasional light from the vehicle is scanned across the black night to check the positioning of these magnificent relaxed creatures. But as an experienced safari goer I now realize things can change in an instant. The safety of the vehicle and the knowledge and experience of your guides and trackers may reassure you but the element of surprise is always in the realm of possibility-it is no Disney World.

Video-lions mating Londolozi South Africa

Watching this mating ritual never gets old. Locating this pair away from the rest of the pride could only mean one thing-mating. They were resting apart when we drove up into view. Like clockwork they rest for 15 minutes and mate for 30 seconds ending with a roar and a bite on the neck. This behavior repeats each day for approximately 5 days until she becomes pregnant.

Saved the best for Last- Lions mating-Day 4

We came around the corner and what we saw was the lioness that had split from the pride and was last seen with one of the Majangiline lions mating... So of course I immediately knew he was close by.

It was day four at Londolozi-never giving up hope that Adam will deliver what is on the request list. My request for this trip was to see the male lions. This was the first of many I would see on this journey.

Hyena Pups and Mother & Baby White Rhino

Hyena pups staying close to home  as instructed by mom. They begin to stir and stand at attention as they hear her footsteps nearing the den. The pups curled and played with each other as all baby creatures do.

A member of our group requested Rhino...and as usual never promised but always delivered..Tracker Solley points in the distance way far away on a green hilltop "there is a rhino-let's hope she is not with a baby because they are very protective and will probably run from the vehicle". Our good fortune as we cam upon the hillside and I was finally able to make out what Solley clearly saw was a Rhino-were a White mother rhino and her baby. A little timid at first hiding behind a tree and the mother rhino always remaining between her baby and the vehicle slowly allowed her baby to become visible to our vehicle. How prehistoric they look in their hide of armor.

A curious little visitor that frequents Londolozi. He looked on from a tree, this little playful vervet monkey while I cooled off in my private plunge pool.

Day Three Londolozi Lions & Leopards

Afternoon drive onto neighboring Singita's property to view part of the Tsala pride of lions. Their beautiful color in the sunlight blends with the surrounding barren trees and tawny colored rocks scattered on the ground. When the lionesses rest their heads it is difficult to spot them. The Zebras and wildebeests walking close in front of them are unaware of their presence.

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 We watch the pride rest and stretch as they move in closer for the kill awaiting the light of day to be lost behind the mountain range in the distance. The darkness of the night adds another advantage to the big cats element of surprise.

 Adam and Solley receive word that a leopard from the western region of Sabi Sands rarely seen has been sighted nearby. With the sun almost set and the cool moist air beginning to set in the jeep takes off chasing the tracks and movement of this elusive leopard called Kashane. We follow closely as he finally becomes more relaxed just beside the jeep. Shortly something startles Kashane and he takes off. His keen senses alerted him to the presence of a predator- not just one but three hyenas. He knew this could mean trouble.

A Typical Day In the African Bush Londolozi Day 2

Five am wake up call...a quick cup of coffee on the founders deck overlooking the Sand River. The sun is just peaking through the cool morning air. 

Our first sighting of the morning-a baby elephant
her family crossing the road . She's imitating her mom
raising her trunk and flapping her ears trying to scare us off.

 This is what I call too far away to capture-in the distance was a pride of lions on neighboring Mala Mala property. If you look between the branches you can just barely make out the shapes of their large manes. These three male lions were warming their full bellies on the warm heat of the runway...SO off we went in search of whatever the wild had to show us.

 Just after our ranger told us it is rare to see giraffe in the area we see a giraffe in the distance..not just one but 8 or 9 of all different ages and sizes coming to the water for a drink. To see a giraffe part his legs and lower his head to drink is amazing.

Tracker Sulley spots 3 hyenas running along side the road capturing his attention in the distance. Had this not alerted us to stop we might have missed this beautiful leopard in the bright sunshine. A very special leopard-Dudley Riverbank Female- a descendant of the first Londolozi leopard dating back to 1978. Her ears tattered from years of battle and playful cubs.

Me and Ranger Adam Bannister- morning coffee break

First night -African safari October 1st 2012. Londolozi- Sabi Sands South Africa just bordering the famous Kruger National Park. This is a return trip to this luxury camp that combines all the comforts of home and then some with a true escape into the wild of the African bush. During my four night stay I saw the big five including many of the Londolozi Leopards.