My wife and I just spent the most phenomenal weekend in the Timbavati.
Our guide Colbert was one of the most enthusiastic guides I have came across in more than 10 years in the safari industry. He had a great sense of humour and loved to share his vast knowledge of Africa.
Our first “big” sighting was of a herd of buffalo numbering more than 400 individuals drinking at a dam. After viewing and photographing these massive bovids for some time we left in search of some Timbavati lions.
Unfortunately we never had a chance to see the famous “white” lions of the Timbavati but had a great sighting of one of the “Timbavati Boys” (a coalition consisting of 3 males) and 2 females. We watched the felines gracefully wake up and start their evening hunt.
Our drive finished off with a phenomenal description of a termite mound and all its inhabitants by Colbert. On arrival back at camp Miriam one of the hostesses took us to our room and assured us that we had an elephant bull feeding only meters away from our room.On arrival she opened the curtains and there in front of us was a private dinner set up fit for a KING!!
We woke up with great excitement the next morning and after a cup of hot coffee headed out on our second drive. Colbert and his tracker Sam found fresh tracks of a rhino bull and after tracking this massive beast for some time we came across a magnificent specimen of a rhino. We viewed and photographed the rhino and then headed off in search for some predators. Minutes later we watched a beautiful female leopard sitting high up a Marula tree. Every now and then something caught her attention she would sit up and stared into the distance and allowed us all great photographic opportunities.
The rest of the morning was spent eating and resting. Breakfast was awesome and the Tai Sweet and Sour chicken definitely hit the spot at lunch. We left on our afternoon safari with great excitement. Shortly after leaving camp we came across a very heavily pregnant female leopard. We followed her for some time when she took us straight to a massive impala that she killed a couple of days before.
Our next sighting was of a hyena at a small waterhole perfectly backlit by the afternoon sunset. I also had my first ever sighting of South Africa‘s national mammal the Springbok in the Greater Kruger National Park. I am sure you must think I am mad when reading this but wait till you visit King‘s and I can assure you it really is an impressive sight, seeing a herd of Springbok in the Timbavati.
After our sun downer, sipping Gin and Tonics watching the African sun setting over the savannah, we headed back to camp. On our way back we came across a female leopard and her 2 approximately 7 month old cubs at a small waterhole. The cubs caused great excitement and watching these little predators was definitely a highlight of our stay.
On our way back Colbert told us that a herd of elephants were spotted, completely drunk from eating copious amounts of Marula fruits. As we turned around the corner in front of us was a phenomenal bush dinner on the banks of a dry river bed. The whole area was beautifully lit by numerous paraffin lanterns and the food was spectacular.
On our last morning we got woken up by the most impressive sound in the African bush, rain!! We decided to spend the morning enjoying our spacious and comfortable room and after yet another great breakfast headed home.
Thanks to Warren, Lisha and the entire King‘s team for a wonderful weekend and making Vanessa‘s birthday so special.
Thanks again! It really was fantastic 🙂
It was great having you guys visiting… We should do this more often!
Thanks Marius. It was about time that you visted us. Hopefully we will see you again soon. Cheers.
What lovely memories to be reminded of. I too was lucky to have Colbert & Sam as hosts on our safaris. They were an absolute pleasure & I hope whenever I return I will see them again.
The animals, the people, dining under the stars…it’s all so majical.