There is something truly magical about a night safari. As daylight fades and the African bush settles into darkness, an entirely different world awakens. Every rustle in the leaves, every distant call, and every pair of glowing eyes hints at the incredible creatures that thrive under the cover of night.

On this particular evening, we were fortunate enough to enjoy one of the bush’s most enchanting sightings, a Lesser bushbaby.

Perched quietly among the branches, its enormous amber eyes reflected the spotlight as it cautiously observed us. Perfectly adapted for life in the dark, these remarkable primates rely on their exceptional night vision, acute hearing, and powerful hind legs to navigate the treetops with astonishing agility.

Spotting one, however, is never guaranteed. Their small size, swift movements, and preference for staying high in the canopy make every encounter a special privilege.

Watching this tiny primate pause just long enough for us to admire its delicate features and fluffy tail was a reminder of how rewarding patience can be on safari. These fleeting moments are often the ones that stay with us the longest, not because they involve Africa’s largest animals, but because they reveal the hidden wonders that many visitors never get the chance to experience.

Encounters like these remind us that every game drive has the potential to surprise, inspire, and deepen our appreciation for the extraordinary diversity of life found in the wild.

The African Woolly-necked stork is one of those characters that tends to grab everyone’s attention. Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a weekend warrior, or even someone who isn’t particularly interested in birds at all, their impressive size, iridescent plumage, and striking red eyes are enough to catch anyone’s eye.

They get their name from the short, downy white feathers on their neck, which resemble soft wool (makes sense, right?). This contrasts sharply with their glossy black bodies. When the sunlight catches their dark feathers just right, they shimmer with brilliant shades of green, purple, and blue – an optical phenomenon known as iridescence, where a surface displays glowing, rainbow-like colours that change depending on the viewing angle.

They are incredible hunters and will spend long periods wading through water, walking across grasslands, and probing through mud as they “stork” their prey. Their diet consists mainly of frogs, toads, snakes, fish, crabs, and large insects.

What made this particular sighting so special was the sheer surprise of seeing this magnificent, iridescent bird eating a sizable catfish in the middle of a clearing, well away from any water. Which raised the obvious question of where the catfish came from? It had almost certainly been caught in a nearby waterhole before the stork carried it into the open, where it had more space and fewer obstacles to tackle its oversized meal. It seemed completely out of place, making the encounter all the more fascinating as we watched the stork wrestle with its hard-earned meal, trying to figure out the best way to swallow it.

Some days, the bush produces moments that leave even the most experienced safari-goers in awe, and they certainly don’t always involve the Big Five. Thankfully, we are spoiled for choice here in the Western Sector, where unique sightings like this seem to present themselves pretty regularly… and I promise I’m not just saying that to catfish you.

Some afternoons in the bush feel full before the drive has even ended. Early one evening, we’d been lucky enough to sit with Euphorbia, the magnificent male leopard resting beside a fresh kill. It already felt like the sort of sighting guests talk about for years.

Then, as we headed back, we heard what sounded like a strange bird call. Something about it didn’t seem right, so we stopped. We quickly realised it was an impala giving alarm calls. A couple of minutes later, we discovered we had almost missed a dramatic moment. Vutomi, the son of Euphorbia, had just brought down an impala.

He dragged it into the thickets but didn’t rush to feed. Instead, he sat nearby, alert and watching in every direction. Euphorbia was still in the area and, with the impala’s alarm calls echoing through the bush, hyenas were a definite risk.

For quite a while, no one in the vehicle said much. There was simply a shared sense of anticipation. Every sound felt as though it might signal a hyena or another leopard stepping out of the brush.

Eventually, Vutomi lowered his head and began to eat, but he kept checking his surroundings, cautious and vigilant. It was a reminder that in the African bush, making a kill is only half the battle.

We left as darkness settled, having started the drive with one leopard beside a kill and ending it with his son navigating the uncertain balance that follows a successful hunt. It was a quiet, thrilling evening that left everyone thinking long after the engine had fallen silent.

Left: Euphorbia | Right: Vutomi

Few animals in the bush are as entertaining as a troop of Vervet monkeys. Whether they’re chasing one another through the treetops, messily eating fruit out of a tree or keeping a watchful eye on the movements of a nearby leopard, there always seems to be some sort of monkey business going on.

While they may look carefree, life in a vervet troop is surprisingly organised. Troops are built around close family bonds, with females remaining in the same group for their entire lives. Mothers, daughters, sisters and grandmothers all play such an important role in raising the next generation, creating strong matriarchal family lines that can last for decades. Males, on the other hand, leave their birth troop when they reach maturity, taking on the daunting task of finding a new family to join.

One of the most heartwarming sights in the bush is watching a mother with her tiny infant. Newborn vervets are completely dependent on mum, clinging tightly to her belly for the first few weeks before slowly becoming brave enough to ride on her back and, finally, venture out on their own. Even then, they are never far from the safety of her watchful eye.

What makes these family groups even more fascinating is that mothers aren’t the only ones lending a helping hand. Older siblings, aunts and other females often take turns carrying, grooming and looking after curious youngsters. It truly takes a troop to raise a monkey, and these early interactions help youngsters develop the social skills they’ll rely on for the rest of their lives.

Vervet monkeys are also remarkably intelligent. They have one of the most sophisticated alarm systems in the animal kingdom, using different calls to warn the troop about specific predators. A sharp bark for a leopard sends monkeys scrambling into the trees, while a different call for an eagle has them diving into dense cover. Even the youngest monkeys learn these calls by watching and listening to the adults, proving that experience is just as important as instinct.

As guides, we have a special appreciation for having vervets around. More than once, a sudden chorus of alarm calls has caused me to stop, listen carefully and scan the surrounding bush, only to discover a leopard slipping silently through the thickets. Their sharp eyes and quick reactions make them some of the bush’s most reliable early-warning systems, and many exciting sightings have begun with a monkey shouting the news before we ever spotted the predator ourselves.

So, the next time you find yourself watching a troop of vervets, take a moment to look beyond the playful antics. Hidden amongst the chaos is a remarkably close-knit family, where every member has a role to play. And if you’re lucky enough to spot a mother proudly carrying her tiny bundle of fur, you’re witnessing one of the bush’s most touching reminders that, whether human or monkey, family is at the heart of everything.

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.

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