Day 2 Kruger Park - Sabi Sand Reserve

The day starts early with a wake up call at 05.30hrs. At 06.00hrs the camp gates open. We leave Skukuza camp and head towards 'Satara' camp.

On the way your Safari Ranger finds a Leopard walking on the edge of the road, marking it's territory by scenting trees and bushes. He's a big male, powerful. We slowly follow him as he proudly walks along the edge of the road. Later you see a White Rhino using a rubbing post then wanders off. Impala always next to or crossing the road. Three Lionesses on the road laying close to each other and then moving off into the bush. Later a Hyena crossed the road making its way back to its den. We continue game viewing, stopping off at water holes, following river lines, checking dams.

For breakfast, we stop off at a picnic site at approx 10.00hrs. For the rest of the morning, we continue game viewing on a few loops in the Satara region, focussing on the Timbavati River loop.  We find Buffalo. A big herd spread cross and on either side of the road. We slowly drive through the herd. The area around Satara is also good for Cheetah. Your Safari Ranger spends some time searching for this splendid animal while making our way to 'Orpen Gate' where we leave Kruger Park.

From 'Orpen Gate' we head south to a private reserve the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. We pass through rural villages, stopping to ask to take photos of native life and culture. We continue towards Sabi Sands. After entering this famous reserve, we then make our way to the lodge. You check in, move into your chalet to freshen up, ready for lunch at approx 14.30hrs. After lunch, you have time for leisure - siesta, a swim or some socializing. At 16.00hrs afternoon tea and coffee is served. Afterwards you make your way to the open 4 X 4 Land Rovers and start your afternoon game drive.

Being you're first open vehicle game drive your given a 5-minute safety talk by your game ranger. The tracker sits on the front of the Land Rover in his special trackers seat, checking for fresh tracks and spotting the wildlife for us as we drive around on the game drives. During the night drives your tracker uses a powerful spotlight, swinging left and right searching for the nocturnal animals.

Your game ranger finds you all the general wildlife - Impala, Warthog, Giraffe and Waterbuck whilst making our way to a Lion Kill. During the morning a resident pride of 12 Lions (5 are cubs) had killed an adult Giraffe. We arrive and find all the Lions sleeping under a shady tree with Vultures filling the surrounding trees, waiting in anticipation. The Vultures have been arriving all day. The big dominant male Lion with blood on his face rises and walks over to the carcass for another helping. Starts to lick an area of the carcass and then continues to eat. Three lionesses join him but eat at different positions. Bones break, skin is pulled, meat is eaten.

You're only a few metres away from all of this action - incredible!

A little later as the sun goes down, we stop in the bush a little off from the Lion Kill, have a stretch and enjoy 'sun downers' (drinks). Feeling more relaxed after a call of nature, we continue with a night game drive. The tracker uses his high-powered spotlight. There are Hyenas arriving in the area due to the Lion Kill, but our focus is to see a Leopard. We stop for a Night Jar, an amazing nocturnal bird. We see lots of smaller nocturnal animals - Spotted Genet, White Tailed Mongoose, Owls and more Hyenas.

We finally return back to camp for approx 20.00hrs. You are escorted to your chalet to freshen up, ready to return to the bar for drinks and then a full dinner is served, with further socializing done later around the campfire. We hear Hyenas constantly whooping in the direction of the Lion Kill. Later when your in bed you hear Lions roaring. B L D

Day 3 Sabi Sand Reserve - Johannesburg