Sun Destinations Blog - Page 30 of 116 - Sun Destinations Safari

Immerse Yourself in Africa’s Hidden Secrets with Our Virtual Reality Tours

What is Virtual Reality (VR), and why have Sun Destinations climbed aboard the VR train?

Virtual Reality tours provide an all encompassing sensory experience that allows the viewer to fully immerse themselves in an environment. We’re talking 360 degree views of a lodge, hotel, action sports, and their surrounds. The stills and videos transport the viewer to the location, providing an opportunity to feel like you are physically there without actually being present. Sun Destinations decided it was time to keep up with current digital trends and move from video towards a more interactive environment.

The world is progressing from video to virtual at a rapid rate, and the gen Xs and Ys are the guests of the future. Sales of Sony Playstation VR and Google cardboard are skyrocketing – a clear indication that the masses are craving a more 3D experience. We want all categories of guest covered and it’s time to include the future in our digital strategy. Virtual Reality doesn’t provide the smells of the bushveld and the sensation of being there, but it’s a step closer than simply watching a video.

“It was imperative that we combined safari with innovation to allow our viewers to move from discovering Africa’s hidden secrets, to immersing themselves in Africa’s hidden secrets. ” – Carolynne Higgins

How do you watch the Virtual Reality videos and tours?

The Virtual Reality videos are uploaded to YouTube, where you can view them as you would a normal video. While playing the video on a desktop you will notice a controller with 4 chevrons in the top left hand corner. Click on the chevrons to move around. If you prefer keyboard shortcuts then use W A S D to navigate your way around the video. Alternatively, you can simply click on the video and drag left/right/up/down.

You can also view the video on your mobile device. Simply play the YouTube VR video and move the device around to get a different viewpoint.

For the optimum virtual experience we encourage you to use a proper VR viewer. The standard of headset you use is completely up to you. If you’re a serious gamer you’ll no doubt want an optimum VR experience. If you’re curious and want a casual VR experience, then there are plenty of affordable options on the market.

Here are a few options for VR viewing :

Google Cardboard : Google Cardboard is the most affordable way to view virtual reality videos. Simply buy the cardboard and download the app. There are also a number of other cardboard viewers available for a fraction of the price.

Oculus Rift : The Oculus Rift is a top notch, high-end virtual reality headset developed by a division of Facebook Inc. It provides a completely sensory experience and simply requires a high-end PC for its state-of-the-art functioning.

VR Headsets : There are a number of VR headsets on the market that range from cheap to mid-range, each with their distinct strengths and weaknesses.

How were the Virtual Reality videos made?

We decided to source local conservation and digital experts, ReWild, to create virtual videos and 360 degree footage for a handful of our camps and lodges. The team from ReWild have plenty of bushveld experience and knowledge of wildlife. The idea was to showcase the bushveld while on foot and also create 360 degree camp walk-throughs.

“Rewild aims to create positive impact through film and VR, through working with innovators and change makers who value people, wildlife and our planet ” – ReWild Team

The team spent a couple weeks at our camps and moved from location to location, capturing footage along the way. The process was similar to shooting standard videos, but the equipment vastly different. With the high-tec equipment used, it wasn’t always possible to get up close to wildlife. Respect for the environment and not being intrusive was paramount to the success of this project.

The creation of VR tours is complex, and it involves stitching together a set of stills to create a 360 degree experience. We worked closely with ReWild over a period of a few weeks with our videographer, Rogan, driving the project. Many hours were spent sitting, observing and waiting for the perfect moments!

How many videos have the ReWild team created?

There are a number of stills that have been produced, and we’re currently in the process of uploading these while the videos are being created for a select few of the Sun Destinations property. We are launching first with the Africa on Foot Virtual Reality Video and will move forward from there. If you are interested in seeing the 360 degree stills, please check out the scenes from Roam Private Game Reserve :

http://wetu.com/iBrochure/140457/ROAM_Private_Game_Reserve

Experience the wilderness first hand, and immerse yourself in Africa’s hidden secrets.

#TheSafariLifestyle : Images from Our Heritage Day Celebrations

September 24th is Heritage Day in South Africa. A day to celebrate our rich and cultural heritage, and to revel in the diversity of our nation. It’s a day where we showcase our traditions, marvel at our colourful background, appreciate our variety of languages and take pride in our heritage. Heritage Day means something different for everyone but generally incorporates family time, shared meals. indulging in cultural celebrations or simply getting back to nature. Plenty of South Africans choose to braai on Heritage Day, and the day has affectionately been referred to as “braai day”. South Africans love the sizzle and pop of a wood fire!

The weekly “Week in Pics” blog was cast aside in favour of celebrating the day. Indulging in a few traditional culinary delights, building a crackling fire and sampling locally crafted gins under a canopy of deciduous trees was how we chose to celebrate Heritage Day. The bushveld is the heart and heritage of the safari experience, so it was vital to celebrate in the untamed savannah surrounded by the high-pitched echoing choir of bird sounds. Guests enjoyed a culinary journey into the heart of South Africa and there were a few traditional dances from our team, complete with singing from Joy at Africa on Foot. Guides, together with the on-the-ground team introduced everyone to snippets of the safari lifestyle.

Together with Gemma Thomas and our camp managers, we co-ordinated, executed and photographed the perfect Heritage Day celebrations. Gem captured moments from the celebrations as she moved from Chacma Bush Camp to Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp in the Klaserie. There was plenty of attention to detail with the Bush Bar set-up – even a protea made an appearance, ensuring hints of South Africa appeared at every given opportunity.

Gemma says, “At Chacma there was a braai where plenty of merriment ensued. It was more of a celebratory Heritage weekend than just one day. Prior to the braai we made sure our guests enjoyed a gin tasting session complete with local fynbos gins, mini-cocktails and traditional snacks. On one of the morning’s we enjoyed a splendid bush breakfast. The entire Heritage Day weekend coincided with an 80th, so there were two reasons to celebrate!”

When Gemma left Chacma and journeyed to the Klaserie she helped to set-up the joint Bush Bar sundowner experience for Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp. She says, “There were plenty of people at the Bush Bar – at least 26 guests, and 6 – 7 guides! Platters of 5 types of biltong were neatly laid out for guests to sample. There were food platters a stand of locally brewed Zwakala beers. There were also plenty of local gins to try, which paired nicely with the snacks. Upon return to the camps, the team at nThambo hosted a drumming and dancing session for guests. Joy from Africa on Foot sang for guests. The evening ended with a braai complete with local side dishes”

Week in Pictures : Change of Season in Kruger

Claps of thunder, bolts of lightning and torrential downpours are the hallmark characteristics of summer in Kruger. We roller coast through the arid season, straight towards the carpets lush vegetation of summer, and occasionally we bypass spring. The change of season in Kruger is often an unpredictable time of year, and we’re certainly feeling the effects of the change in climate. We notice a change in wildlife behaviour and the types of animals spotted. We might spot prolific game, or we might only spot the commonly seen plains game. That’s the beauty of going on safari – it’s the excitement of the wild!

Chacma Bush Camp

Chacma Bush Camp has, yet again, enjoyed a wealth of elephant sightings in front of camp. The herds of pachyderms and bovids continue to flock to their favourite watering hole. Over recent weeks there has been an increase in both lion and leopard sightings, and photographer Em Gatland managed to capture a few picture-perfect moments on camera.

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

The Klaserie is also experiencing a change in wildlife sightings, and with each week that passes the sightings become more unpredictable. Strange things emerge when the weather begins to rapidly shift its patterns. Elephant, buffalo and plains game have made up the bulk of the sightings for this week in the Klaserie, but guides have experienced a few noteworthy occasions while out in the field.

Guide Chade says, “The wild dogs had a kill in the morning, so I managed to get a photos of them relaxing after their kill. We also saw a young male leopard hanging around the camp, but we haven’t identified him just yet. Ross Dam eating her kill was yet another leopard sighting to throw into the mix, along with the sunset female also enjoying a recent kill”

Ezulwini Game Lodges in Balule Nature Reserve

Angele is always hot on the pulse of what’s happening in the Balule bushveld, and she’s always on the ball with letting the team know about the ever shifting wildlife dynamics of the Balule. She mentioned that the recent short-lived storms to descend upon the area actually heightened the wildlife activity. With a flurry of water cascading from the skies, our game emerged from hidden pockets of the reserve. The most notable sighting was that of 4 new male lions traversing the River Lodge main road. Let’s hope they don’t come face-to-face with the Machaton kings, although it’s unlikely given that the kings dwell more on the turf surrounding Billy’s lodge.

In other lion news, the Kudyela females were seen with fresh blood on their That could be catastrophic! The Nkanyi leopard has – once again – been spotted. Angele says, “Nkanyi was prowling the drainage line for impala before she came to rest on a termite mound”. Overall, there’s plenty of general game meandering through the reserve, coupled with ample sightings of large herds of elephant and buffalo sightings. The Balule is booming with cats!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Despite the changes in the weather patterns and the slow emergence of a new season, the leopard sightings remain consistent at Umkumbe Safari Lodge. Guides Tanya and Geoffrey sent through their leopard images, and a few other sightings that provided perfect photographic opportunities. Tatowa and her cub seem to be in the spotlight this week. Tatowa’s cub was spotted devouring a kill while his mother spent time posing for the camera!

We have a few more images from new guides at Umkumbe, which we’ll feature in the next few days.

Local Celebs Tackle the Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails : What goes on Tour…

…Doesn’t Stay on Tour.

Not when I’m around. Not when I have a keyboard, a bunch of adjectives, videos, photographs, and first-hand accounts from resident photographer and undercover spy, Em Gatland. She’s not quite part of the KGB and certainly doesn’t have ties with the Mafia family, but she has shared a few secrets from the 3 day Africa on Foot wilderness trail spent with local South African celebrities. We won’t be telling tall tales because anything to do with height remains the giraffe’s business. And our style is a far cry from the trash DailyMail tabloid that thrives on making up stories about Batman’s love child with Beyonce. We’re more fact driven and prefer first-hand accounts from our khaki-clad crew on the ground.

Our 3 day Africa on Foot Wilderness Trail in the Maseke Game Reserve is becoming a popular trail among dedicated hikers and visitors wanting a more on the ground safari experience. A handful of local celebs donned their khaki and headed out on trails to experience the daily safari lifestyle of the trails team. Each night of the trail is spent at a different location within the Maseke Game Reserve, ensuring guests experience the game-rich pockets of the reserve while being surrounded by contrasting scenery.

Our adventurous group of explorers included a group of local South African celebrities with an indomitable spirit. Turns out there was such a sense of camaraderie on trails, and plenty of stories emerged from their 3 days in the Maseke Game Reserve. Joe Pietersen, a well-known South African Union rugby player was one of the sporting celebs to join the walking safari. We knew Joe would be fine on the trails, and could probably blitz and manoeuvre his way through a pride of lions, given that he was a cheetah. Joining the trail party and flanking the team of walkers, we had another rugby player and ex-Springbok, AJ Venter. Then we threw another rugby player into the mix – Michael Claassens, who also enjoys his fair share of cats.

To break up the rugby theme we invited media personality and all round sportswoman, Liezel van der Westhuizen. This fitness fanatic and lover of the outdoors placed third in Miss Fitness South Africa, making her an ideal candidate for our 3 day walking trails. Stacey Holland, global traveller, social change maker, fitness fanatic and media personality also proved to be the perfect person for trails. Leading the team of the sporting elite were legend guides Courteney and Luan. We needed the best-of-the-best to lead this team of die-hard go getters. I’m speculating and assuming there would have been plenty of sporting talk in between the dissection of elephant dung, stories of marauding hyenas and tales of brutish lions.

Armed with an arsenal of personalities in their group with just the right balance of khaki gear, Courteney and Luan set-out to show the walkers the spoils of the Maseke Private Game Reserve. Needless to say, the group weren’t disappointed with their experience.

Em Gatland jotted down a few highlights from the blissful bushveld days on trail, which we’ve listed below:

Wildlife sightings while on foot : elephants came into camp, towers of giraffe were spotted while on foot, lions were seen devouring the remnants of a giraffe carcass, and a lone elephant joined the gin sundowner session at the river.
Artefacts : while exploring the landscape the team came across plenty of debris and artefacts from a bygone era. One of these was an ancient ceramic pot.
Sisterhood : Liezel and Stacey met for the first time on trails. Their conversation flowed like red wine on a winter’s day and rumour has it that they’re now “besties”. The bushveld is the perfect spot for forming lifelong friendships!
Awkward Funny Moments : one of the guys was on the toilet, and Luan walked in to have a shower. Awkward. One of the directors, Cecilia, decided to join the trails for a bit. The team decided to prank her by putting elephant dung in her toilet. Awkward and funny.
Humour : Em says, “All personalities complemented one another and each person had an incredible sense of humour. AJ mentioned how enjoyed having in depth conversations with people – something that gets lost in life.”
Pop Quiz : on the last night the guides decided to host a quiz. Joe won first prize – two nights at any one of the Klaserie/Maseke camps.

Photographer Em Gatland captured the essence of the trail with her mesmerising images, and Joe created an amazing video of time spent in the bushveld.

Spending Time with the Cheetah of Roam Private Game Reserve

The coalition of cheetah recently relocated into Roam Private Game Reserve’s traverse, appear to be thriving in their new environment. The cheetah were relocated to the arid Great Karoo region as part of a conservation project that ultimately seeks to increase the population numbers of cheetah in the wild, and the Karoo forms part of the cheetah’s historic range. Upon arrival the cheetah were kept in a controlled boma area and monitored closely, giving them time to adjust to their new environment. When the cheetah were released into the open it wasn’t long before they conducted their first kill – a red hartebeest! Photographer Em Gatland headed to Roam to photograph the cheetah in the wild, and her portfolio of cheetah images is nothing short of remarkable!

We chatted to the team at Roam who informed us that the cheetah are slowly getting used to their new environment and rugged terrain. Their diet is still being supplemented to ensure they continue to thrive. The last full moon provided enough light to illuminate the landscape, providing the ideal circumstances to take down a rather unsuspecting aardvark! Overall, the cheetah have provided excellent close-up game viewing opportunities for guests. It seems visitors to Roam are surprised at the size of the cheetah boys, who are quite large in stature!

The cheetah experience at Roam Private Game Reserve forms part of ongoing conservation projects in the Great Karoo. Various animal monitoring activities will be established on Roam to fulfil different objectives. Some of the high-profile animals
will be monitored on a regular basis, whilst general game will be monitored less frequently. Cheetah will be monitored by tracking them with a combination of telemetry, and traditional track and sign methods developed by the Khoi and San bushmen, the original inhabitants of the area. The original inhabitants developed these methods in order to hunt their prey. Visitors to Roam seeking to contribute to the overall conservation efforts of the reserve have the option of becoming involved in the cheetah experience.

Roam is home to a number of animals, and it is imperative to the sustainable management of the reserve that we accurately monitor the health of the entire system. This is achieved through monitoring of the fauna and flora. During the time in the boma the cheetah is unable to hunt for itself and we must supply its dietary requirements. To replicate the cheetah’s natural diet, animals are supplied to the cheetah from the nature reserve. This is naturally not to everyone’s comfort so participation in this part of the program is optional.

10 Lion Cubs Spotted While on Game Drive with Ezulwini

Lion cubs are fragile, bumbling cats with a high mortality rate in the wild. They’re born completely helpless and require protection and guidance from their mother until they’re old enough to leave their den site, which generally happens at 3 months old. This is when they’re ready to be introduced to their powerful birth pride. Not only do cubs face threats from marauding scavengers, stampeding bovids and sly predators; but they also face the dreaded underlying threat of infanticide from testosterone fuelled male lions in search of females to conquer and prides to take over. Seeing a healthy lion cub in the wild, thriving, surviving and confident is indeed a rare sighting.

Imagine the sheer delight of guides and guests when they spotted 10 lion cubs happily waddling through the crunchy ‘veld? Game drives with Ezulwini Game Lodges have delivered noteworthy big cat sightings recently, and this is not the first sighting of the tawny group of cubs. A couple months ago, 10 lion cubs were spotted together with their mothers, the Kudyela lionesses. The 10 cubs were sired by the reigning kings – the Machatons! In this particular sighting, which Angele visually documented, the 10 cubs were trailing behind 4 of the Kudyela lionesses. The pride were clearly on a mission to an undisclosed location, which could be anything from an ideal shady spot to a protected den site. The 4 lionesses each have cubs aged between 2 – 6 months (3 cubs, 3 cubs, 2 cubs and 2 cubs).

For months on end, Angele (lodge manager and avid field guide of River Lodge), sent through reports of sightings of the Kudyelas mating with the Machaton males, and kept a close eye on the dynamics on the traverse. With all the intense mating sessions, it was inevitable that we’d see new life emerging.

The Machatons are still holding their territory and blitz their way through their kingdom preying on unsuspecting game, and mating with available Kudyela lionesses. Power plays in the world of lions are always shifting, and at one stage 4 burly boys infiltrated the Machaton’s turf on a number of occasions, seemingly without fear. To date, the Machatons are still large and in charge, and successfully chased the burgeoning males away. There will always be threats to the Machaton brethren, but they have a pride to protect and hopefully theirs will be a dynasty that becomes a legacy.

Klaserie Leopard Relaxes on the Wooden Deck of Buffel Dam Treehouse

When it comes to siesta time, leopards tend to seek out elevated areas providing sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. This height advantage means they are in the ideal position to eagerly scan the ‘veld for potential prey; and it keeps them out of harm’s way. A leopard generally relaxes at the top of a termite mound, or the fork of a tree. Not our leopard princess Nyeleti. This princess decided that the perfect spot for a siesta was in the doorway of an open canvas tent resting on a wooden balcony, which is actually the Buffel Dam treehouse – a raised hide overlooking the wilderness. Nyeleti moved from the comfort of a termite mound (see photos) to the treehouse in order to step up the luxury a bit.

Guests from nThambo Tree Camp and Africa on Foot were taken to this spot on the Africa on Foot traverse to observe the ultimate in Klaserie leopard laziness. The Klaserie is heaving with leopard sightings at the moment, and as each month passes by we notice a marked increase in sightings. A few days ago, head guide Mauritz reported a sighting of 5 leopards sharing a kill. The number of Klaserie leopard sightings is quite remarkable!

Leopards are opportunistic, so we’re not surprised our princess found THE best spot to relax. One of our guides, Elmar Van Niekerk, was quick to photograph this memorable moment.

We trust you’ll enjoy these images of a leopard dominating her turf in the Klaserie.

The Week in Pictures : The Youth of Today

We owe you a storm of images and plenty of updates from our camps. The ‘veld is brimming with activity and the bushveld abounds with mystery. The thickets have plenty of stories to tell, and our favourite is the stories that bring promise of new life into the unforgiving landscape. When we browse through the collection of images and videos sent through from our guides on a weekly basis, we try to get a feel for a similar thread that weaves its way through the reserves. Today, the theme is the youth of today. Our guides and guests have enjoyed a bounty of sightings of cubs, calves and fledglings. Spring is approaching, which means new life is emerging!

Chacma Bush Camp

The Lamai lioness has cubs! She’s been stashing her cubs deep within the thickets, keeping them out of harm’s way and far away from carnivorous intruders. Lion cubs are vulnerable when they are born and have a high mortality rate in the wild. The Lamai female has been spotted mating with the Maseke boys on numerous occasions, which leads us to believe that one of them sired her cubs. Lion sightings are on the increase, and this only adds to the bulk of species that Chacma have spotted while out on drive.

Roam Private Game Reserve

The cheetah that were relocated to Roam Private Game Reserve continue to thrive in their environment. One of our photographer’s, Em Gatland, managed to capture a few magnificent photos of the cheetah. The cheetah experience is just one of the many activities on offer in the Great Karoo.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Umkumbe have enjoyed a wealth of big cat sightings, with an appearance of a slender and refined cheetah. Coupled with this unique sighting, the team stumbled across an endangered pangolin, otherwise known as the scaly anteater. Notoriously shy and leading a life of solitude, the pangolin is certainly a rare find. When the Umkumbe guides aren’t tracking rare species they’re stumbling across our aloof leopards.

Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails

The Africa on Foot Wilderness Trails is in full swing, with avid walkers enjoying their 3 day trails through the Maseke Game Reserve. These set trails offer up a variety of game viewing opportunities, and each night is spent in a different location. Sun Destinations recently hosted well-known rugby players and local celebs, who seemed to enjoy quite a riveting outdoor experience. Our photographer joined the trails to document their journey, a story which is currently in the making. Highlights from recent walking trails in the Kruger have included sightings of lions, a resident hippo, and the sneaky crocodiles that guard the mighty river that eagerly cuts through the reserve.

Klaserie Camps

The Klaserie continues to enthral and entertain us with their big cat sightings. The leopard dynamics on the Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp traverse continue to fascinate us, and there seems to be plenty of shared genetics among the leaps of leopards emerging from the thickets. Just the other day Mauritz reported that 5 leopards were spotted on one kill. The leopards were a female with 2 cubs, and the Ross Dam female. Later that evening the local legend, Rhulani and another male leopard were spotted feasting on the same kill.

About a month ago the wild dogs were commanding the Klaserie sightings, but the sightings seem to have dwindled. This has made way for exceptional lion sightings, and the guides are being rewarded with consistent sightings of 3 prides of lions (pride of 10, pride of 6 – possibly Bateleur Pride, and the Ross Pride females) operating within the region. We’ll showcase the big cat Klaserie images during the course of the week. In the meantime, the general sightings of big game and plains game continue.

Ezulwini Game Lodges

The bushveld is heaving with sightings, and fairly notable wildlife moments continue to emerge from the Balule Nature Reserve. When wildlife reveals their new additions to the reserve, it always makes for heartwarming sightings. Guides from Ezulwini, together with their guests, witnessed a spate of sightings dominated by the “youth of today”! Sightings included that of a 1 day old giraffe calf being nurtured by its mother, 4 lionesses on the move closely followed by 10 cubs, and a fragile young leopard cub seeking refuge in the foliage from an Apple leaf tree. In other sightings, the Kudyela lionesses and the Machaton male lions were spotted mating, the elephant bulls are enjoying the grounds of the lodge, and the general game continues to provide prolific sightings.

The Week in Pictures : Orange You Glad We Love Sunsets?

This is the last showcase of images forming part of our trio of themed “Week in Pictures”. This week we’ve decided to neglect the animal focused posts and pay homage to part of the safari experience that is always a much celebrated and anticipated event. We’re referring to golden hour. Sunset is the time of day when that golden ball pushes the crisp blue skies into oblivion, and dominates the landscape below with its warm hues.

We’re talking silhouettes of ancient leadwood trees leaning against fiery skies, low lying shrubbery providing a textured border between the red sky and landscape below; and exceptional colourful skies that roller coast through pinks, oranges and finally indigo. Today we celebrate golden hour, a revered time of day.

In the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp built a dedicated sundowner area close to a drainage line. This is the spot of the famous Bush Bar, which is a permanent rustic bar complete with a makeshift boma area. Home to surprise gin and tonic tastings, the Bush Bar is fast becoming an institution. Ezulwini Game Lodges also have a dedicated area called Paradise deck, which is often used for surprise sundowner sessions.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge and Chacma Bush Camp prefer to do things out in the open, as do Walkers Bush Villa and Nsala Safari Camp. Sundowner stops are located in sweeping savannahs, close to waterholes, on riverbanks and in Chacma’s case, on rocky outcrops.

Tuskers Bush Camp have their majestic baobab tree that serves as a backdrop, and sundowners are often served under this mighty baobab tree. Xobega Island Camp and RAW Botswana delight guests with sundowners in waterlogged areas teeming with hippo and abundant game. The waters tend to reflect the brazen orange skies and create a mysterious and magical scene.

Roam Private Game Reserve is in the heartland of the Great Karoo and the crisp air provides the perfect setting for mind-blowing sunset scenes.

Here are a few of our favourite sunset images to make you feel alive.

Tuskers Bush Camp, RAW Botswana Motswiri Camp and Xobega Island Camp

Chacma Bush Camp

Ezulwini Game Lodges

Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp

Walkers Bush Villa

Nsala Safari Camp

Umkumbe Safari Lodge

Roam Private Game Reserve

The Week in Pictures : Leap of Leopards. Your Bumper Edition.

Leopards are aloof, scarce, graceful and independent. They lead a solitary lifestyle, and they’re rarely seen keeping company with other leopards. When we see 2 or more leopards hanging out together, it’s either a mother with her youngsters, or a mating pair. Seeing a leopard in the wild is always a heart stopping moment and often requires plenty of tracking skills to find this elusive cat. It’s a combination of guiding experience, luck, and being in the right place at the right time that sees us coming face to face with the sleek beauties of the bushveld. Leopards tend to hide out in the tops of trees, drainage lines and dense thickets. They’re always there, but our untrained eyes often miss them. Today, in our second theme of the trio of themed “Week in Pictures”, we showcase the ethereal leopards of the Kruger.

Why are leopards so tricky to find? There are a number of reasons why it takes eagle-eyes to find these cats. Because they lead a solitary lifestyle, and they don’t live in prides, it’s harder to locate them. Prides are normally on the move and easier to spot than one heavily camouflaged individual.

When it comes to meal time, lions with sit with their meal for days while they gorge themselves until they can longer move. They tend to hover around the vicinity of the carcass, rolling around on their back to expose their full bellies. They are so full and generally don’t move because of their enlarged bellies.

When a leopard conducts a kill, it’s quiet, secretive and done with stealth. They elegantly stalk and dart through covered areas, and ambush their quarry when up close. Almost immediately they drag the kill up into the fork of a tree for safekeeping, or even in a drainage line shrouded with vegetation. Not being on ground level also makes it tricky for us to find them. Leopards will keep their meal in a tree while they wander off to replenish their thirst, or conduct patrols of their turf. It’s not uncommon to find a half-eaten impala kill draped over a branch, but no sign of a leopard anywhere!

Leopards traverse far and wide. Males have far larger territories than females, and they seek out areas that have a heavy presence of females and ample sources of with prey. Females seek out smaller territories with easy access to prey and areas providing potential den sites. Because of these wandering ways, and the constant need to be on the move to mark their territory, it makes it tough to locate leopards.

Of course, you can just as easily sit on your patio with a drink in hand and a leopard strolls past. We call this leopard luck!

Without further ado, it’s time to celebrate the presence of the leopards that dwell on the traverse surrounding our lodges in the Balule Nature Reserve, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and the Maseke Game Reserve.

Umkumbe Safari Lodge