At Leopard Hills Lodge, summer is a season of abundance, of newborn animals finding their legs, of birdsong rising from the drenched bush after an afternoon storm, of unforgettable encounters shaped by the softened light and dramatic skies.

In the post below we’ll take you through a typical summer day on safari with us, so that you’ll understand why this time of year feels both vibrant and deeply restorative. It’s the season where the wilderness reveals its gentleness, and where the pace of lodge life feels effortlessly aligned with nature.

Welcome to what we call: Green Season!

Before sunrise, the soft knock on your door signals the start of the day. The early morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing in summer, when the air is still cool and the bush is washed clean from the night’s humidity.

You make your way to the main deck and, as the first light spreads across the horizon, you set out in an open safari vehicle. The smell of rain on dust lingers. Fresh tracks snake across the soft earth. Summer mornings offer beautiful visibility before the heat settles in, and this is often when predators are most active.

Some time during your drive, your guide will identify a scenic spot where you’ll all stop off and enjoy some coffee and rusks together, along with a few more surprises to keep you going until breakfast back at the lodge. The adventurous among you might like to sample a “bush coffee” – filter coffee with a dash of Amarula liqueur.

Summer brings a wave of new life to the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve. Impala lambs wobble through the grass on delicate legs, wildebeest calves trot close to their mothers, and warthog piglets tuck tail and run across the plains. These moments of sweetness contrast well with the instinctive drawn-in breaths of spotting predators; leopards moving silently through the foliage, lions patrolling their territories before the temperature rises.

One of the extraordinary parts of a summer safari at Leopard Hills is how alive the bush feels after rainfall. The foliage glows with a vengence, flowers open, insects hum and birds of prey use the thermals rising from the warming ground. Whether it’s a leopard draped across a marula branch or elephants splashing in a rain-fed pool, every sighting is framed by the lushness of the season. We know you’ll love it!

After all that excitement, it’s time to fill your belly with a hearty bush breakfast, a relaxed, generous affair – al fresco!

Summer encourages an unhurried pace. This is the time to retreat to your private deck, slip into your plunge pool, and watch the bush unfold below you. The suites at Leopard Hills are more like private sanctuaries than typical rooms; glass-fronted spaces with horizon views, deep baths, and quiet corners designed for reflection.

If you feel like something more indulgent, the massage sala offers one of the most serene spa experiences in the reserve. Surrounded by trees and a sweeping lookout, a treatment here becomes part wellness, part wilderness immersion. The sounds of nature replace background music, and the view stretches endlessly across the reserve.

For those who prefer a little movement, a guided walk with your ranger can be arranged. Summer’s greenery brings the smaller details to life: Tracks, insects, plants, birds, and the subtle signs of the ecosystem at work.

By mid-afternoon the heat subsides, and you set out again. The summer landscape in this light is extraordinary. Rain clouds gather and scatter, the air feels briefly cool, and the colour of the sky shifts from pale blue to deep, theatrical tones.

Game viewing can be spectacular during this drive: lions begin to stir, elephants feed with renewed energy, and leopards use the thicker vegetation to their advantage. The reserve feels textured and alive.

As the sun lowers, your ranger chooses a quiet spot for sundowners. You raise a glass – G&T, local craft beer or sparkling wine – and watch as the light stretches across the plains.

Lodges in the Sabi Sand don’t drive after dark, but the journey back to Leopard Hills Lodge in the early evening is one of the most atmospheric parts of the day. Birds settle. Daylight fades to soft blue. You may spot a hyena loping along a path, or a pair of owls beginning their nightly routine.

Once back, dinner is served outdoors whenever weather allows. Candles glow, crickets take over the soundtrack, and the stories of the day are passed back and forth in conversation.

Summer is vibrant, warm, and full of life. It’s the season of dramatic colours, active wildlife, and slow afternoons spent overlooking waterholes from the comfort of our deck. It’s a time to soak in the rhythm of the bush, to rest deeply, and to watch nature move through its most expressive season.

Take a look at our website and book your stay online. Alternatively, contact us directly via book@leopardhills.com.

We can’t wait to share the wonders of the South African bush with you!