We flew into Nelspruit airport for our safari in Sabi Sands Game Reserve and we stayed at Cheetah Plains Lodge which is a 3-hour drive from Nelspruit. Upon our afternoon arrival they didn't waste any time taking us out on our first drive into the bush. Such excitement stirs within as you drive away from the reserve into the unknown.
Starting out very early in the morning, we ventured out into the bush with our guide stopping along the way near a watering hole occupied by a few hippos to drink some coffee. On the late afternoon drives, we stopped at a similar spot for a sunset cocktail. Ending our day we returned back to our cottage for some unwinding and, before you knew it, it was time to meet by the campfire for a grand dinner. After a few days of this you kind of forget what the real world feels like.
By our second drive we had already seen the "THE BIG FIVE"... Lion, African Elephant, Water Buffalo, Leopard & Rhinoceros.
Some of the wildlife we encountered on our drives....Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Rhino, Hippo, Wart Hog, Wilderbeast, Water Buffalo, Waterbuck, Hyena, Vulture, Honeybadger… just to name a few.
I invested in my first camera lens for safari and, while it was money well spent, on some occasions we got so close to the wildlife that you almost didn't need it. I didn't anticipate being that up close and personal. A highlight from one of the drives was witnessing a leopard and hyena face-off over a kill. It was an exhilarating and frightening experience. Eventually, the hyena decided it wasn't worth the trouble and wandered off.
