As regular readers know, I write about living the best life possible despite the challenges and struggles that come our way. I find my greatest happiness in connecting with nature—one of the reasons we chose to move to Cornwall and why we regularly hike in the mountains. Research indicates that people who choose this connection to nature are generally happier. Nature evokes calmness and creativity while enhancing our ability to concentrate, an aspect often disrupted by today’s fast-paced lifestyle. With that in mind, I’m going to share a recent experience which I can truly say has been the best (so far 😊)
Thanks to our friends in South Africa, we achieved our dream. We booked a stay at Leopard Mountain Lodge in the stunning Manyoni Private Game Reserve. As one of the largest privately owned reserves, Manyoni is in the heart of Zululand and is a protected area for the “Big Five.” The reserve was formed when landowners removed internal fences to create a sprawling 23,000-hectare area with conservation as a top priority. It’s also a haven for endangered species like the cheetah and black rhino.
We planned a three-night stay, arriving shortly after lunch on day 1, and I was genuinely captivated by the stunning bush views from the large balcony, where we were served a welcome drink. Our room offered a perfect retreat, exuding calmness and privacy, complete with a hammock on the veranda and the delightful sounds of birdsong and cicadas bustling about. To my joy, wildlife thrived all around us, nibbling through the underbrush and nearby trees. We soon discovered that our balcony’s freshwater plunge pool was a favourite spot for the impalas and nyalas, blissfully ignoring our presence. Leopard Mountain felt like a hidden paradise!
Our first game drive was scheduled for 4 PM. Each day includes six hours of drives, from 5 AM to 8 AM and from 4 PM to 7 PM. Times vary according to sunrise/sunset, and I couldn’t wait to begin our journey through Africa’s untamed wilderness. We met our guide, Alex, and climbed aboard a fully open jeep, which was more comfortable than I had anticipated. Our first sight was a herd of striped zebra grazing in a savannah valley and a towering giraffe craning its neck to nibble on the tree.
Spending this time with our friends was fantastic; we all shared a love for off-roading, and Alex quickly realised we were up for any challenge. The reserve had experienced unprecedented rain the week before, making the tracks difficult to navigate, especially off the main routes. However, nothing was too difficult for Alex, and within the first hour, he made our visit truly special. He spotted two lionesses resting in the tall grass ahead. At first glance, they appeared gentle and serene as they lounged around, but then one of them approached us. She stood before the jeep, talking to us with deep, guttural growls. We could hear the other lioness behind the trees crunching the bones of her recent kill.
Being with Alex was amazing. With eight years of experience at the lodge, his deep knowledge of the reserve and the wildlife truly shone through. He shared fascinating insights in an engaging manner, and no question was too difficult. Before returning for dinner, we stopped in the bush, where Alex produced cold wine and beer. I was very impressed that the bush had “wine o’clock,” too. We stood there, enjoying the sunset, soaking in the nocturnal ambience while chatting about what we had seen.
Dinner was served in the boma, illuminated by lanterns and a roaring campfire. The food was incredible, and it was great to meet other guests from around the world and share our game drive experiences. After dinner, we were escorted back to our room, which is standard practice after dark, as you never know who might show up for an evening snack! Our first night sleeping in the bush was quite an experience. A mix of strange, wonderful, and somewhat scary noises echoed around us, yet I felt completely calm until the 4 AM alarm! This set the stage for an unforgettable morning.
Poaching remains a significant issue for wildlife reserves, particularly rhinos, now classified as endangered. For centuries, rhino horn has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, leading to the killing of these splendid animals for supposed “cures.” Reserves like the Manyoni have had to make difficult decisions to protect them, which means trimming their horns to save their lives. Our timing to visit Leopard Mountain coincided with the vet’s visit; what we witnessed will live with me forever.
We set off at 5 AM for an exhilarating 45-minute drive across the reserve. As we cruised in our open-top jeep, the sun gradually rose, painting the sky with breathtaking colours and illuminating the Savannah ahead. Upon our arrival, the helicopter landed with the vet on board. Manyoni has trackers on their rhinos to help locate them once the helicopter is airborne. We followed in the jeep, and no time was wasted getting to the area where the helicopter was circling, with the vet hanging out the side, ready to tranquillise his target.
Watching this huge, magnificent animal fall to the ground as the tranquiliser took effect was so emotional. The helicopter landed, and once the vet had given his OK, we approached the sedated rhino. The trim consisted of removing part of the horn from the rhino without damaging the growth plate or causing any harm or pain. When poachers remove the horn, they cut the entire las phalanx, which results in the animal bleeding to death. The vet did an amazing job, and the best part of the morning was watching the rhino wake, shake himself off and wander off to find his mates back in the bush.
I will never forget being so close to this wonderful animal, but understanding what the reserves must go through to protect their wildlife was bittersweet.
The remaining morning drives were equally as good as the evening ones. During our stay, we spotted an incredible variety of birds, insects, and animals (including the big 5) —way too many to list here, but I’d be happy to share details if you send me a message. Following the morning game drives, breakfast was superb. We then had the whole day free until the next adventure at 4. While our friends enjoyed relaxing spa treatments, Jamie and I chose to hang out with the wonderful wildlife visiting our pool and I chatted away like a modern version of Dr Doolittle.
The finale came on our last evening drive. The elephants had been elusive, and due to the rain, the road we needed to take to find them was impassable, even for Alex’s expert off-roading skills. However, that evening, while we sat watching a female cheetah with her two cubs, Alex had a call through on his radio to say the elephants had made their way to our side of the reserve and were about 20 minutes away. We sped along with no time to stop for giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, or lions. Our destination was to see the elephants, hoping they were still around. Along the way, we encountered four rhinos blocking the road. One became a bit stroppy when we tried to pass, so we had to wait patiently for them to move at their own pace.
Once we were on the move again, we crested a hill and were greeted by the sight of a herd of 27 elephants walking towards us. What struck me most was the peace they exuded. I couldn’t believe such large animals could convey a sense of serenity. Watching them walk towards us while looking out for one another was truly magical.
I didn’t want to leave Leopard Mountain; I felt strongly connected to nature and wildlife. It gave me a sense of total peace, which is rarely found in today’s hectic life.
A safari is not just a journey; it’s an awakening of our senses. You can’t beat starry nights and “jeep hair”. You know you’re truly alive when you’re living among lions 😊
Until next time xx
- Feeling Directionless? These 3 Questions Will Tell You If You Need a Life Purpose (And How to Find One)
- Wild, Lonely and Utterly Addictive: Cornwall in Winter
- Adventures on the Cornish Coast Path: Mullion Cove to Lizard Point
- Uncomfortable truths no one will tell you, but you need to hear!
- Adventures on the Cornish Coast Path: Perranporth to Portreath
Living-your-best-life 