The entire Big Five is well represented at Sabi Sand and other rare animals, such as the cheetah and hyena are often sighted. Various antelope species, from impala, waterbuck and duiker to kudu, bushbuck and nyala can also be seen, as can giraffe and warthog. However, it is the leopard that is the real star of the show, with the area well known for some of the best leopard experiences in Africa. This shy and elusive animal, normally the most solitary of the African cats is often viewed both in daylight hours and during game drives.

A number of lion prides have territories at Sabi Sand and are regularly spotted on game drives. In contrast to the leopard, lion are the most sociable of the cat family and prides may consist of up to 12 related females and their cubs, as well as a far smaller number of related males, often brothers. Although not as common as the leopard or lion, the cheetah is also a frequent sight at Sabi Sand. Built for speed instead of power, this formidable predator generally hunts during the day, occasionally resulting in spectacular sightings of the fastest animal in the world in action.

Night drives are an important part of the game viewing experience at Sabi Sand and provide an opportunity to view many unusual animals, such as the beautifully patterned African civet. Another animal often encountered in night drives is the dwarf mongoose, Africa’s smallest carnivore. Family troops of up to 30 of these little animals live in numerous hiding places in the sides of termite mounds. A typical though hair-raising sound often encountered on night drives is the wail of the bush baby, a forlorn noise that imitates the plaintive cry of a human infant.

 

Recent Sightings from Wildwatch.com

LEOPARD KILL! - 04 February 2010
From the morning tracks eventually Eric (the tracker) managed to find the Shikavi leopardess resting up in the thickets close to the Shonalee Dam behind River Lodge. After 15 minutes the leopard got up and walked slowly away looking for cooler shadier...
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Wild Dogs Face Down Elephant - 01 February 2010
There is nothing very subtle about an African Wild Dog, which is what makes them such wonderful animals to follow on a game drive. What looks like chaos, with dogs running first one way, then the next, is actually a well-orchestrated and very effective...
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Impala eating an impala? - 28 January 2010
Armed with new cameras and binoculars James, Patrick, Jay, Anil, and Okan wanted to see all they could, and take as many photographs as possible. The most interesting of the sightings happening when we drove past a herd of impala. A ewe on the...
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