On cold winter mornings, it’s often a joy to head up to the river in search of any signs of life defrosting from the night before. Don’t get me wrong – it’s cold – but watching the golden sun rise and warm the waters creates a beautiful layer of mist over the river. It’s truly gorgeous.

Alongside the sunrise, we experience what we call the dawn chorus, the collective singing of birds at the start of a new day, letting everyone know they survived another night. On this particular morning, we stopped at a crossing to listen to the flowing water and chirping birds when we spotted a reed cormorant on its perch. Cormorants are expert divers, with some species known to dive up to 45 metres, so this bird was most likely scanning for its next meal swimming below. While warming up in the sun, he gave us the perfect opportunity to capture a few photos.

A beautiful green background with golden light reflecting off his black feathers made for an incredible moment with a bird we see regularly.

Quite often, we focus on the bigger animals, while smaller ones like these birds are quietly hanging around, waiting for the perfect picture to be taken.

The Thlangisa female was a huge loss to the Western Sector, but her bloodline still runs strong. It’s wonderful to see her lastborn, Mahetelelo, recently introduce us to her cub. At just over four years old, this is one of her first litters, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for her.

While moving dens, the little cub kept Mom extremely busy. Mahetelelo found a stunning fallen tree for the cub, but it was having none of it. The youngster kept venturing off into the long grass, trying to explore its new home. As you can imagine, this kept Mahetelelo on high alert, and every now and then she would jog off to collect the wandering cub and carry it back to the newly formed den.

While exploring the bushveld on a crisp morning game drive, we were treated to the elusive presence of a male kudu. Familiarly known as the “Grey Ghost of Africa,” these remarkable antelope are true masters of camouflage. Their slate-grey coats and delicate white stripes allow them to melt into the speckled shadows of the acacia woodland with astonishing ease.

To catch sight of one is a privilege. Often, you may sense their presence in the thicket, only to watch them vanish silently, as if the landscape itself had spirited them away. When you do see a male kudu, the experience is unforgettable. Their elegant spiral horns, which can reach an astounding 75 inches in length, arc skyward in a show of quiet majesty.

With a powerful yet graceful build, adult males can weigh up to 250 kilograms, yet move with such stealth that even the most attentive onlooker might miss them. Observing a kudu as it pauses, ears flicking, nostrils flaring to catch the scents carried on the breeze, reveals the wild’s constant vigilance and the subtle balance of predator and prey.

On this particular morning, the kudu lingered for a few precious moments, sunlight filtering through the canopy and glinting off his impressive horns. We watched, transfixed, as he browsed tender shoots before dissolving, ghostlike, back into the wilderness. It was a poignant reminder of the wonders that await those who rise before dawn, braving the chill for a chance to witness one of nature’s most secretive inhabitants.

We had the privilege of witnessing an awe-inspiring spectacle as a massive herd of approximately 600 buffalo grazed peacefully across the southern reaches of the Western Sector. Immersed among these formidable animals, we gained a rare insight into their intricate social dynamics.

The interplay of hierarchy was evident as two dominant bulls squared off, vying for supremacy, a critical contest in a structure where rank dictates priority access to the herd’s vital resources. In gatherings of this scale, the pressure on lower-ranking buffalo is palpable; competition is not merely a display of strength, but a necessity for survival, as only those with higher status enjoy the best access to food and water. Observing these subtle yet powerful social negotiations, set against the backdrop of the wild, was a lesson in resilience and adaptation.

As the day edged toward evening, the herd’s restless movement sent plumes of dust swirling into the golden African light. The rhythmic sound of hooves, punctuated by the deep bellows and grunts of the buffalo, created a symphony unique to the bushveld. The sheer scale of the herd, stretching out across the horizon, was mesmerizing; a living, breathing force of nature.

Having the opportunity to sit quietly among them, watching as they fed, fought, and wandered in a seemingly endless tide, felt almost surreal. The sight of a vast dust cloud trailing behind the herd as the sun dipped below the acacia trees will remain etched in my memory: a true testament to the untamed beauty of the African bush. It was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences I have ever had, and a vivid reminder of the strength in numbers that defines life on the savannah.

WATCH VIDEO HERE.

While this term is usually used to describe the stereotypical Hollywood snow-filled white Christmas, here in the Lowveld savannah, it represents a different kind of beauty. A seemingly never-ending array of orange, gold, pink, and blue fills the skies at dawn and dusk, with crisp, cold air alive with a chorus of calls.

Though you might think the drab browns, yellows, and greys of the bush would create headaches for photographers, the opposite is often true. Condensation, light, mist, and dust combine to create the perfect natural theatre. The bush is also far less dense in winter, which means fewer pesky leaves and blades of grass getting in the way of the “perfect shot.”

If you’re anything like me and find the humid heat of summer a bit overwhelming, then winter offers a welcome relief. It’s the perfect time to bundle up with a fleece-lined poncho, a warm blanket, and a hot water bottle for those crisp early morning game drives. Add in pleasantly mild midday temperatures, and I think you’ll agree—winter is a truly spectacular time of year to spend a few days with us here in the Sabi Sands.

If you’re interested in experiencing an awe-inspiring South African safari, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our reservations desk at book@leopardhills.com.

Alternatively, click here and make use of the quick and seamless online booking process and start planning your ideal vacation today.

We look forward to welcoming you to Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve.