Roccco

For all the other Fodorites that have been following the Simbambili Leopards on Taga Safaris (www.tagasafaris.co.za), here is something EXTRA special:

http://www.tagasafaris.co.za/african...est-events.htm

That is just about the most amazing photo of a leopard and its kill that I have ever seen!
I can only hope to be so lucky with 11 nights in Zambia, but I wouldn't hold my breath. There must be something about this Simbambili area that is definitely worth considering.

While I had only planned on possibly visiting Mala Mala and Singita, now I must really consider Simbambili as well. Can you believe the rawness and natural beauty of those photos???

While I was somewhat non-commital about the Sabi Sand and Kruger for next year, I think this seals the deal. Perhaps Kwando for six or seven nights split between Lagoon and Kwara and then 3 nights Simbambili, 3 nights Mala Mala and 3 nights Singita Lebombo.

Thanks to Taga Safaris for continuing to follow these leopards. I absolutely love websites that continuously offer newsletters or better yet photos. The only other website that can be relied upon, besides Taga, for timely updates is Robin Pope Safaris website, for the "It's Monday" weekly update, complete with photos.

I am truly impressed!!!

Clematis

Your itinerary sounds great. BTW, we saw something almost exact to this. The photos weren't as good because the sun was going down so we were all losing light. Where did we see it? At Singita Boulders.

Roccco

Clematis,

I, also, enjoyed excellent leopard sightings while at Singita. Because I was there in March (2002), there was still lush landscaping, to make the photos nicer than if it was drier and dustier.

The only saving grace of Djuma Vuyatela last year was getting a great photo of a yawning leopard!
Djuma does border Simbambili, but Simbambili seems to get much better reviews.

I do hope that I am doing so well next year that I will not hesitate to include eight nights at Kwando, three nights at Simbambili, three nights at Mala Mala, and three nights at Singita Lebombo, and all in high season.

Those leopard shots would look fabulous on my office walls, but only if I was the photographer!
The possibility of capturing such photos makes it hard to say "no" to the Sabi Sand, especially when Safarinut speaks so highly about Mala Mala, and even Simbambili. And of course, there is this little place that gets a write up every now and then in Conde Nast Traveller...ummm, I think it's called Singita, or something like that!!! (What a smart move by them to open up Lebombo and Sweni)

ArthurSA

Lord Attenborough and his party were truly lucky when they visited Mala Mala and Singata in 2002. In his "video testimonial" on that site, he says he saw tiger!

Roccco

I have seen photos of Lord Attenborough on Taga Safaris website, and I will just say that I would not be surprised if he saw piggies (warthogs) flying during his stay at Mala Mala!

Perhaps he forgot to take his meds on that particular day?

Clematis

I meant we saw exactly this sight, with the leopard in the tree with the kill hanging, pulling and chewing (he shook his head when the fur tickled his mouth). Finally he came down.
Are you sure about 8 nights at Kwando? I am skeptical only because one agent pushed them on me and because he lied about something, I always got the impression he got a better commission from Kwando. Until I meet two people who rave about it, or a rave in any of the guidebooks, I'm cautious.