Early Morning Safari at Sabi Sands
Our second safari drive at Sabi Sands Game Reserve began with a 5.30am wake-up call. Before sunrise, we climbed back into the safari vehicle, wrapped up against the chilly morning air ready for another adventure in the African bush.
We had expected the landscape to be dry and brown because winter is the dry season in South Africa. Instead, recent rainfall had transformed the reserve into a lush green wilderness. The fresh scent of damp earth filled the air as we drove through the bush searching for wildlife.
Not long after we set off, Jordan, our guide and driver, received a radio call. Suddenly, we were heading off at speed towards what promised to be a very special sighting.
Leopards in the Wild – A Dream Come True
One member of our group had dreamed of seeing leopards in the wild for her entire life. That dream finally became reality when we found a mother leopard and her daughter resting together in the bush.
As we approached the leopards, tears immediately began to fall. It was such an emotional moment that she struggled to look through the viewfinder of her camera for a while. Watching someone achieve a lifelong dream was incredibly special, and I felt honoured to share that experience with her.
Seeing wild leopards in their natural environment at Sabi Sands Game Reserve was unforgettable. The calm confidence of these beautiful cats left us completely mesmerised.
Playful Leopard Cub Photography
The adult female leopard, Tiyani, currently has two cubs. Her young male cub has already left, while the female cub is nearing the age where she too will become independent.
For now, however, she remains playful and affectionate with her mother. We were lucky enough to witness several beautiful interactions between the two. The young cub climbed, rolled and pounced while Tiyani patiently tolerated her antics.
Photographing these moments was both exciting and challenging. Every movement happened quickly, and we never knew where the cub would leap next.
Adjusting Camera Settings in Changing Light
As the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the lighting conditions constantly changed. This meant we were continually adjusting our camera settings to capture the best possible images for our safari portfolios.
Lance from Panthera Photo Safaris reminded us to keep checking our exposure settings as the light became brighter. Meanwhile, Jordan and our tracker, Amu, worked together to position us perfectly for each sighting.
Wildlife photography on safari requires constant attention to light, movement and camera settings. The rapidly changing conditions made this an exciting challenge.
Going Off Road at Sabi Sands
One of the major advantages of visiting Sabi Sands Game Reserve is that it is a private reserve. Unlike many national parks, safari vehicles are permitted to drive off-road when necessary for wildlife sightings.
We were surprised when our vehicle headed directly towards a small tree and drove over it. Our guides explained that they only flatten trees that have no ecological value to the reserve, and many of them quickly spring back upright afterwards. We actually watched this happen ourselves.
The reserve also carefully controls the number of vehicles allowed at each sighting. During our leopard encounter, only two vehicles were permitted nearby. Some sightings allow three vehicles, while very young cub sightings are restricted to just one vehicle.
It was reassuring to see how seriously the guides take wildlife protection. We were told that if an animal showed any sign of stress or behavioural change, we would leave immediately. Despite our close proximity, the leopards appeared completely relaxed and comfortable around the vehicles.
Final Thoughts on Our Sabi Sands Leopard Encounter
This second safari drive at Sabi Sands Game Reserve was filled with unforgettable moments. From witnessing a lifelong dream come true to photographing playful leopard cub behaviour, it was an experience I will never forget.
The professionalism of the guides, trackers and photography team made every moment even more rewarding. Most importantly, it was wonderful to see how carefully the wildlife and their environment are protected while still allowing visitors to experience these incredible animals up close.
All the images in this post were taken using my Lumix G9II. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me through my website, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.