Harriet Smith Photography

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"For The Love of Africa"

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Country:                              South Africa
Province:                             Mpumalanga
Location:                              The Sabi Sand Reserve
Lodge:                                  Singita Boulders Lodge

This picture shows a mother leopard grooming her exquisite year old cub in a glorious tree limb setting of sapphire, brilliant greens and aquamarine.  From this good vantage point the mother closes her eyes in a peaceful bliss as the cub stares into the camera. Off the ground in a dead tree, away from potential threats, mother and cub know that they are safe. Although they are solitary animals and do not live in families, leopards nevertheless have strong maternal bonds. Even though the young become independent at about 22 months, the mother may continue to share kills with her offspring until they become totally self-sufficient.

This picture was taken in the Sabi Sand Reserve.  The Sabi Sand Reserve is the birthplace of sustainable wildlife tourism in Southern Africa, and is the oldest of all the private reserves in South Africa. Forever, it has been a wilderness area and  home to a vast wildlife population. The name comes from the Sabie and Sand Rivers that flow through the reserve.  Situated near to the Kruger Gate, the reserve shares a common 30+ mile unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park to the east.

The two rivers supply the game reserve with a valuable water source. The Sand River flows through the reserve for 31 miles and the Sabie River flows on the southern boundary. The sustenance of these rivers ensures that this area enjoys one of the highest and most bio-diverse wildlife populations of any area in Africa. Over two hundred different species live in abundance, as the ever changing bird life provides even the most experienced ornithologist with rare finds. Such is the environment that the wildlife, save for the migratory birds, remain in their territories all year round.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve, with its  legendary leopard viewing is the best known of the game reserves in the Kruger National Park area.  

Photographed and Copyrighted ©2005 - 2011 All Right Reserved By: Harriet Smith

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