Kirkman's in Sabi Sand (basically Krueger National Park)

(Francesco) So, we are back in Jo'burg. As expected we had too slow internet connection to try to post something and we were probably too excited and busy (wake up 5.30am and safari all day ...) to really post something while in Sabi Sands. Sabi Sands is a private Reserve attached to Krueger Park with no fence division. Therefore, animals can freely roam from the park to the reserve and vice versa. It was wonderful ... really wonderful. Elke was really sad to leave and it was only three days. Safari are a great experience when done in the proper way, with a ranger that knows where to go and how to track. When the jeeps can just roam everywhere ... and yes also implying taking down little trees (and we did lot of this) just to track down some predator. The bush is calm and full of life, the animals calm but still wild. Luckily they recognize green jeeps as not eatable or dangerous ... but get out of it and lions see a steak on two legs. We saw all big 5 (Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Buffalo) plus a fantastic bonus ... a den of wild dogs with lot of little puppies. And at this den we saw something that few people in the world experience as wild dogs are rare. Well, I now leave the keyboard to Elke ... I might write some more after I am out of the shower.

(Elke) Hi, here I am, back in civilization. We really had a great time at Kirkman's kamp. It is a camp that was originally built in the 20's. And the whole building still reminds that old colonial style. Beautiful. It also reminded us of how tough it must have been for human beings at that time to survive in the middle of the bush, with the threat of diseased and wild animals around. Luckily for us, now this struggle is no longer there and we were extremely well taken care of with great food and great care of the staff to make us feel at our ease in the bush. There are so many impressions and the beauty of the experience is indeed that it touches all your senses. Indeed, going there is not only a matter of seeing the animals, but the sounds they make and the smell is as impressive and overwhelming. So, great experience and looking forward to the next stop in the bush in Zimbabwe. And one thing I learned: the bush never gets boring as it is something different every day.

(Francesco) So, what did we see? First the unique sighting: wild dogs feeding the puppies and playing with them. A fantastic display of caring endangered animals and something really few see as mentioned before. This morning we had an amazing chasing of the leopard with our jeep (and two other). This big boy was walking and we had to roam in the bush destroying trees to follow it ... till it decided the shadow of our vehicle was a nice place to stop ... gosh! The shadow in the photo is Elke's (who took the picture). We had to kick him out (by moving the jeep a bit). We saw also rhino (edgy and marking their territory), monkey (also stealing food), hyenas (gosh they way they cry at night), a group of 5 lionesses (!!!!), baboons, buffalo (we simply joined a large herd with our jeep), few types of eagles, mpalas (more than hundred), giraffes (lots), warthogs ... amazing to see and study how they behave. We only miss hippos. Maybe in Zimbabwe. Check the photos we added. Later today or tomorrow I will see how to put google maps links.