Original source: http://inafricaandbeyond.com
My earliest memory of the bush is driving through Kruger National Park with my family when I was six. We parked off at the side of the road and watched a magnificent lion family lazing in the sun, fascinated by the sight of so many lions not enclosed by the barricades of a zoo. A bit later, we had to contend with some baboons jumping on our vehicle. Fortunately, the vehicle was closed and the windows were rolled up so they got tired of us and left.
Impalas
Since then I have been on innumerable other visits to Kruger National Park and gathered a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences. There was the elephant bull that pursued us and the herd of a thousand-plus buffalos that we sat and watched for over an hour as they crossed the road in front of us. Once, a foreign tourist travelling in the opposite direction to us excitedly flagged us down. On stopping, he exclaimed “Hyeens, hyeens (sic)”. We proceeded to come across a pack of wild dogs that wouldn’t budge off the road. However, my last trip to the bush was the crowning glory.
Buffalo
We had been driving for hours without seeing anything interesting. My kids were moaning and groaning about how they’d rather be watching Disney channel at the hotel. Then my cousin sent me the latest sightings on BBM and we went to the area where a leopard had earlier been spotted siting on a signpost. We didn’t see anything in the vicinity and chided ourselves for thinking that the leopard would still be waiting for us there. We were heading to the nearest camp for a toilet break. As we rounded a bend, a couple in a stationary vehicle facing us frantically beckoned to us to stop. We stopped and had the shock of our lives when seconds later a leopard sprinted in front of our car hurling itself at the gullet of a female impala grazing on the opposite side of the road. The occupants of the other car had obviously seen the leopard crouching behind the bush, preparing to ambush the poor impala.
The leopard had a firm hold on the impala’s throat, but was acutely aware of the growing number of spectators around him. I became aware that the herd of impalas that had just lost one of their own began emitting strange sounds and made a mental reminder to Google their behaviour. The leopard had finished off the impala and dragged it behind a bush. The cars continued to coalesce and the leopard suddenly dropped his prey and ran off into the bushes.
Leopard Kill – look closer!
By then, there was a huge traffic jam. We moved to give other spectators an opportunity to see the fresh kill and as we manoeuvred our car through the queue in order to continue to our destination, we were stopped repeatedly by other cars that had just happened on the crowded scene and wanted to know the reason for the furore.
I would have loved to have gone back later to see if the leopard had returned to claim his kill or if other predators like lions or hyenas had come to claim it for themselves. As for the leopard, I don’t know whether it was the cars or the other impalas that had driven it away. In retrospect, it did seem to be an uncharacteristic leopard, sitting on signposts and hunting during the day!
This was one of the most thrilling experiences we had ever had in the bush and my kids now see it in a totally different light. As for me, it just re-inforced my desire to return to the bush every opportunity I get!
Full story first posted here. Re-published with permission. All rights reserved
About the blogger
I am passionate about travel and am prone to catching the travel bug every so often. Taking the road less travelled or hopping on a plan to somewhere usually helps when this happens. I am married to someone who shares my love of travel and am mum to two mini travellers. I have been to around 40 countries thus far, and am always eager to add more to the count.
Find Sara Essop online:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inafricaandbeyondblog
- Blog: In Africa and Beyond
Stay in Sabi Sands
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Situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, adjacent to the Kruger National Park, Elephant Plains Game Lodge offers outstanding Big 5 game viewing at excellent value for money. Enjoy the splendour of the bush on game drives and thrilling bush walks.
On the banks of a riverbed and floodplain, this owner run lodge offers personal service, attention to detail and a variety of accommodation options, from thatched rondavels, to luxury chalets with fireplaces and outside showers, and the Manyeleti honeymoon suite with private plunge pool.