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My home in Africa!

Posted on August 9, 2010

It was great to be back!

Louise, Duncan – Thank you for everything. It was a great pleasure to meet you again!

Gary, it was fantastic to see you on the airstrip again – dΓ©jΓ  vu?Β Smile

Yes, Leopard Hills is my home in Africa and I canβ€˜t help it. The both of you created this sanctuary your own way and it is absolutely perfect – I salute you! During my first trip I left at the lodge part of my heart and of my soul and as you said Duncan, it’s for free, so let it be that way πŸ™‚ Bush is like venom in my blood and I don’t want to be cured!

Every single game drive, each day brings plenty of sightings, emotions, knowledge and happiness! Heinrich, you are young talented Star and from the bottom of my heart I wish you roaring success and many adventures for looong time at Leopard Hills – thank you for your passion and patience – very impressive!

Can you imagine anything better than red African sunset with majestic God’s Window far on the horizon…Can you imagine relaxed jackal joining you at that moment – no, you can’t – you have to experience all that spectrum of feelings yourself. Before my first safari, I was quite skeptic hearing all stories about bush and wild life – till I came to Leopard Hills two and a half years ago…and then, I’ve started a new chapter in my life, hope it never stop. The atmosphere at the lodge is great, from the first step you are a member of the big family, like you’ve been there many many times. The hospitality, knowledge and devotion of entire LH Team are on the A level! Gosh, it’s so hard to name all those fantastic little things which create the whole picture…bed time story, chocolate box nicely wrapped on the pillow, personal cards handmade and each time different like a fingers prints…wow, it is wonderful. Leopard Hills offers a lot! For me bush veld, it’s not only Big Five, which is of course great to see, but it’s a landscape, it’s a smell of air, exotic birds, trees and sound – yes, starting from dusk all animals begin their concerts. The first time I couldn’t believe it’s real! It is magic, like the whole world doesn’t exist anymore! Nothing can give the kick of adrenalin, like a roaring Lion! The vibrations infiltrate the body so intensive, that there is no doubt who is the King – I LOVE IT!!!! After visit at Leopard Hills it is hard to find a better place on Earth. Sabi Sands spoils, the amount of animals is huge, if you like Big Cats, you will love it even more! There was no single game drive without spotting leopard and lions – walking, on the kill or just resting – amazing!!! One thing worries me a lot – gaining weight – gourmet cuisine is so lovely, you can’t avoid any meal! Starting from early morning with muffins, hot chocolate + amarula, finishing on 5 course dinner! Beautifully served, taste even better! Thank God there is gym, but I haven’t seen too many volunteers πŸ˜‰ I tried to squeeze time given at LH as much as I could and I did a trip to Elephant Whisper – stunning experience, it changed my entire clue about those amazing animals completely. They are intelligent, gentle and patient. Next to them I felt like a dust in the air…I will always keep those moments in my heart – especially big bull Tembo 3.2m and still growing πŸ™‚

For those of you who had been privileged to meet a legendary Makwela: in the Library waits magnificent tribute to The African Regina – framed collage – I couldn’t take my eyes of it! Thank you Gary, she should be remembered! Without her it wouldn’t be the same! I did not dare to put my comment next to all of you, who seen her growing, hunting and raising cubs…maybe someday in the future, but not now. I don’t deserve it yet….I had to control my emotions seeing her daughter Hlaba Nkunze raising a new generation of leopards at the same place – Like Mother like Daughter – good luck sweet-pie!

To all Bush People – Baie Dankie!

0 thoughts on “My home in Africa!

  1. Hey Samanta, nice to see you on the blog again and thank you for this wonderful account of your latest trip to Leopard Hills. It sounds like you had a fantastic time, but then again, how could you not, hey? You are making us all jealous… πŸ˜‰

  2. Hi Samanta! Loved your posting. We will be doing the elephant encounter also and know it will be awesome! LH is truly a special place and you did a great job describing it….LEKKER!
    Cheers! Joy (Camarillo)

  3. Hello Samanta.

    Thank you for taking time to write such a passionate article. We are truly blessed to be able to combine work we love in an environment that we love, and sometimes it is really special to see our "home" described from another perspective.

    looking forward to your next visit already.

    Duncan, Louise and the Leopard Hills Family.

  4. Samanta, what a lovely posting, thank you. It’s always such a pleasure seeing you and Sergey, and your passion for the bush and Leopard Hills is contagious. We hope to see you back very soon and promise me you will write on Makwela’s collage, she was a part of your life as well as ours. Take care and see you soon.

  5. Louise, you made me so happy – I promise to come back and I will be honored to write few words on Makwela?s frame! Thank you all for your kind words! You know how to motivate me πŸ˜‰
    Joy, I envy you so much ? enjoy and now I?m waiting for your story from the bush:-) As soon as I get home ? hope my Russian visa will be ready today ? I will post our photos on the weblog.

  6. Samanta encapsulates mine and Fay’s experience. We have been to many exciting places in the world but LH is so specially different. I always read the blogs with continuing interest. We cannot resist returning next year.

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