One of the main advantages of going on safari in the Kruger area just after the January / February rains is that many animals will give birth during this period.

Lucky safari goers recently to the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, who have been staying at Savanna Game Lodge, will have enjoyed, I am sure, seeing these little fellows – aren’t they just cute beyond belief !

The cubs belong to the Ximungwe pride, and seem to have plenty of character and personality ! It won’t be long before they will be old enough to join in the hunting with their mother, although it will be a few more years before they are ready to leave the pride and venture out on their own.

Small leopard cubs are equally as adorable – this little one is about 3.5 months old and is already totally at ease with the Land Rovers being in close proximity so that guests can get some fantastic photos :

And then, you round off a perfect day with a sunset like this …. Now … you tell me if you can think of a better way to spend a few days !!

Located in the game-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp is a wonderful place to spend a few days on safari.

Not only can you experience superb game viewing in open Land Rovers, accompanied by an experienced ranger and eagle-eyed tracker, inbetween the game drives you can now enjoy relaxing in your private spa bath, on your private viewing deck.

Each of the 6 suites here have just been upgraded to include a spa bath on each deck, offering a delightfully decadent vantage point from which to watch the bushveld. All suites also have en-suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers, and kingsize beds draped in romantic mosquito netting. Individually styled using African artifacts, beautiful wooden furnishings and luxurious linens, you may not even want to leave your suite at all !

Travel Butlers are delighted to offer our customers a simply wonderful deal for a 3 night safari in the exclusive Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjoining the Kruger National Park.

Book a 2 night stay at either Lion Sands River Lodge OR Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, and the 3rd night will be free of charge ! This fabulous offer is valid for travel between now and the end of January 2011 (excluding the World Cup period and over Xmas / New Year).

The Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is situated in the southern portion of the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, an area well known for its spectacular game viewing. The reserve has exclusive access to the Sabie River, which is central to why Lion Sands delivers an incomparable safari experience.

Call us now on 0845 838 2450 to check availability, or by email to tracey.campbell@travelbutlers.com, or follow these links to enquire about the offers via our website :

Lion Sands River Lodge – Stay for 3 / Pay for 2
Lion Sands Ivory Lodge – Stay for 3 / Pay for 2

Book 3 nights at the exclusive 5* Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in the world-famous Sabi Sand Reserve and receive 2 nights FREE in a Luxury Room in the Cape Cadogan, in the heart of the ‘Mother City’, Cape Town.

Lion Sands Ivory Lodge, in the southern portion of the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, is built on the banks of the Sabie River. Game viewing in search of Africa’s Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo – are conducted in open Land Rovers every morning and afternoon. The 6 ultra luxurious suites all have en-suite bathrooms with outdoor and inside showers, a courtyard, lounge with fireplace, wooden viewing deck, patio and private plunge pool.

Cape Cadogan is conveniently located just off the fashionable Kloof Street, with some of Cape Towns’ finest restaurants just a leisurely stroll away.

Valid for travel between 1 April 2010 and 30 September 2010 (excluding travel over the World Cup period, between 1st June 2010 and 18th July 2010) AND between 1 December 2010 and 31 January 2011 (excluding travel over the Christmas and New Year period between 20th December 2010 and 7th January 2011). This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

OK, so hands up … these photos WERE taken in the UK … but wouldn’t you just love to see a leopard like this in its own habitat ?

The world-famous private game reserves and safari lodges near the Greater Kruger Park offer possibly the best Big 5 game viewing opportunities to be found anywhere, with lion and leopard tracking a particular speciality.

These lodges are either located within one of a handful of concessions in Kruger itself, or in one of the neighbouring private game reserves (such as Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Balule, Klaserie, and Manyeleti) on the western side of the Park, or in one of the nearby fenced reserves such as Thornybush and Kapama.

The land is privately owned, so the game viewing vehicles are not restricted to the road network and it is therefore possible for the experienced guides to follow the wildlife through the bush and to get extremely close to the animals.

Oh, yes … back to the photos … these photos were taken by a photography student at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire , England. The brave little mouse apparentely appeared just after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard.

Seemingly totally unaware of the huge leopard, the mouse scampered right up to the meat and started eating away.

The leopard, Sheena, stood and looked on in amazement at such boldness. After a few minutes, she tried to gently push the mouse away with her nose, but the mouse refused to budge, and stayed munching until he was full.

Simply amazing !!

Keen to see leopards in the wild?   This video (appropriately enough taken at Leopard Hills) is a good example of why the Sabi Sands Reserve in the Greater Kruger Park is probably the best place anywhere to see leopard. 

We are delighted to announce a  Notten’s Bush Camp Special Offer for December 08 & January 09.

Notten’s is one of the best-kept secrets of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This friendly and informal family-run lodge offers a unique blend of luxury and comfort, balanced with the sheer simplicity and natural atmosphere of the bush.  This is Africa how you have imagined it, and is right in the heart of the best big-5 game viewing area in South Africa.

The special offer rate of R2500 per person per night is a discount of R600 per person on the usual published rate, and means that a couple staying 3 nights would save R3600 (approx £250!) on the usual published price.  This is a great offer and makes the idea of getting away from the cold wet Northern Hemisphere winter seem all the more appealing!

Please note Sabi Sand Game Reserve will be increasing their gate entrance fees from R70.00 to R80.00 from 1st April 2008. 

This fee is per vehicle and will apply to all guests who drive themselves into the reserve as well as all road transfers.