September 8th until 11th: Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve

Hey, another post before I go back home. No, wait! Home? That's here, no? ;)

So there I am in Sabi Sands. Getting here wasn't easy (my GPS led me right into a military airbase) but now i am in paradise. It's supposed to be the greatest place to see leopards. The highest density in whole Africa, no, the whole world. Which I can confirm now. During five game drives I have seen leopards seven times and these were at least 3 different individuals. One of which is the legendary Safari, a fifteen year old female who lost one eye while defending her cubs against a lion a couple of years ago. She has given birth to lots of the leopards roaming around the reserve and Kruger National Park, the fences to which are open. Her blind eye looks really nasty, but she seems to be doing fine and it apparently doesn't cause any trouble while hunting.

Besides we saw lions mating, lots of kudu, waterbuck, impala, warthogs, giraffes, genets, elephants and even rhinos. You name it! Very cool. And I love how the rangers treat all the animals with the most respect possible. One does recognize immediately because none of the animals are bothered by the game drive vehicles.

So the last two nights I stayed at the beautiful Arathusa Safari Lodge and drove out with Jason (ranger) and Roy (tracker). Today I was brought over to the Nkorho Bush Camp. Very cool place, too, but what's special about it is that they offer photography courses. André "Kalahari" showed me a few tricks before we went on the first game drive and I must say it was really cool! We saw Safari and one of her sons again as well as a couple of hundred buffalo. Quite a thrill to stand right in the middle of such a huge herd!

So tomorrow at 5am we'll get a wake up call and lets see what's to discover on that last game drive and wildlife experience of my holiday. But no, wait, it's followed by a breakfast and a bush walk. At 1:30pm I will fly out to JoBurg in a Cessna and at 7:15pm I'll take off to Frankfurt. Wow, this is a proof for the way time flies when you enjoy something.

Ok, I'll get some sleep now, lets hope the lions come to drink water out of the swimming pool like they did a couple of days ago. So cool! :)

Have a good night everyone! Ah...before I forget: PICTURES!

Cheers!

Stefan