Today we got to experience the highlights that make Sabi Sands such a special area. This morning we headed to the far north where a leopard had been spotted. We encountered her and her 3 cubs at the end of a ravine. We were getting ready to pull out to make room for another vehicle to visit when the leopards moved further down the ravine. Our ranger opted to track them so that we would have a position to give the second vehicle once they arrived. Mom settled down on the floor of the ravine about 15 feet in front of us and the cubs put on a dazzling show, playing with each other and their mom. The other vehicle was delayed in reaching us so we sat with the leopards for 20 minutes or more watching their antics up close - what a sighting!!
Back to the lodge for lunch and then this afternoon we got even more cat sightings- spotting a lion pride with a mom, her cubs, and her large 'nephew', a 2-3 year old male that patiently tolerated the tiny cubs playing over and around him. The ranger said this kind of tolerance from a larger male lion was unusual. He just slept lazily as they crawled all over him!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.