| If your South Africa safari is spent in a luxury | | | | to the sounds of the night. |
| lodge in the private Sabi Sands Reserve, adjacent | | | | On the road |
| to Kruger National Park - one of the most | | | | A South Africa safari at night is always conducted |
| memorable things you can do is to experience the | | | | by trained (and armed) park rangers from the |
| thrill of a night safari. No safari in South Africa | | | | safety of an open topped vehicle. The rangers |
| would be complete without this unique opportunity | | | | have an expert knowledge of the animals' |
| to join the wildlife of the African bush as it goes | | | | predatory nocturnal behavior and will give a |
| about its nightly activity. | | | | running commentary on their hunting habits and |
| Night falls | | | | who's eating who! The vehicles are fitted with |
| In South Africa, a safari holiday takes on a | | | | two or three powerful spotlights, and if you're |
| different guise when the sun goes down, and | | | | lucky, you'll be given control of one. On the call of |
| beneath the cloak of velvet darkness the sounds | | | | the ranger you can swing the spot around and it's |
| of the bush are amplified to a startling level. | | | | possible to suddenly be face to face with a hippo, |
| Distant birdcalls that wouldn't even rate a mention | | | | rhino, zebra, giraffe or even a bewildered baboon! |
| during daylight can have you wide-eyed in | | | | As you trundle through the park on your night |
| surprise; and a low throaty grumble from the | | | | safari in South Africa, the air is filled with the calls |
| undergrowth will have your heart racing. During | | | | and echoes of the myriad species of park animals |
| the day, the animals of the park are often sleepy | | | | heading to the waterholes. You may find the road |
| and spend their time lazing under trees sheltering | | | | blocked by a herd of wildebeest trooping down to |
| from the scorching heat - but after dark they | | | | the waters edge, passing you by within inches - a |
| come alive! The cool of the evening brings a flurry | | | | hundred tiny eyes reflecting spookily in the |
| of activity as the animals make their pilgrimage to | | | | headlights - or you could even encounter the Lion |
| the water holes, or begin their nighttime feeding | | | | King, stealthily stalking his prey and dusting off his |
| rituals. | | | | paws for dinner! |
| Before you set off, it is tradition for anyone on a | | | | The unique, spine-tingling experience of a night |
| night safari in South Africa to partake in a | | | | drive is not to be missed on your luxury South |
| 'sundowner,' (an aperitif) with your companions. As | | | | Africa safari holiday. The sights and sounds of the |
| the light dies and the incredible painted sunset | | | | bush will echo in your senses long after you have |
| skies of the African bush darken and fade, you | | | | left them behind - and a little bit of African magic |
| can feel the bush closing in; and if you listen | | | | will always live on in your memory. |
| closely, you will hear the silence slowly giving way | | | | |