With the 1970 Beatles hit ‘The Long and Winding Road’ playing in my head, we set off on the morning game drive.
“The long and winding roadThat leads to your doorWill never disappearI’ve seen that road before”…
“The Long and Winding Road” is a reflective song written by Paul McCartney about the journey of life and the memories created along the way. Its introspective lyrics and poignant melody make it a suitable accompaniment for a game drive, even if it’s only in my head, as it evokes feelings of longing and nostalgia.
For me, game drives are the embodiment of life. You set out on a journey, filled with the possibility of adventure and excitement, yet often that changes along the way.
What you expect the drive to be can turn into something different, and expectations need to be managed. Sightings need to be enjoyed and seen as learning opportunities.
These outings should not careen from one Big 5 experience to the next to tick off boxes on a list.
Hop in, sit back, and let me share some of my sightings during my visit to Sausage Tree Safari Lodge.
Elephants utilise this dust bath method in preparation for the water element that was to follow shortly.
Were you aware…Elephants take dust baths for several reasons:
The dust acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting them from the sun’s harmful rays. It also helps to cool them down by reflecting sunlight and providing insulation. Additionally, the dust can help to remove parasites and maintain skin health
Splish splash…
Post dust bath, the elephant decided that a drink while it waded through the river was a good idea.
It did not stray far from the riverbank as the water was flowing extremely fast, and this was not the time, or the place, to try a river crossing.
The elephant was not alone in this stretch of the river.
Floating not too far away was this Nile Crocodile, quietly awaiting an opportunity for a meal that might become available.
The evolutionary lineage of the Nile crocodile as a species can be traced back to prehistoric ancestors called archosaurs.
These archosaurs originated over 250 million years ago. The crocodilians, including the Nile crocodile, evolved around 95 million years ago. While the exact age of the Nile crocodile species within that broader timeline is difficult to pinpoint, it’s clear that they are an extremely ancient group of reptiles.
Ever been woken by the distinctive call of THIS bird species? The Trumpeter Hornbill is a fascinating bird with several interesting characteristics, the loud call being one of them.
Their call sounds like an infant’s cry, and if you are in a camp where you know there are none, it can be a rude awakening. It has happened to me on more than one occasion, making me feel that I should know better than to be startled.
Trumpeter Hornbills are also social, living in small groups, and have a broad diet that includes fruits, insects, and even small animals.
White-fronted bee-eaters are fascinating birds known for their intricate social structures and unique hunting habits.
What is unique about their hunting habits, I hear you ask?
White-fronted bee-eaters employ a unique hunting technique called ‘hawking’, where they perch and dive after flying insects. They are aerial insectivores, meaning they primarily catch their prey in the air.
You can tell that this male has been around for a while by looking at the tips of his canines.
In the wild, males typically have an average lifespan of 10-14 years.
However, their lifespan is dependent on whether they have to defend territory or not. Female lions often live longer, sometimes reaching 16 years.
How close is too close? This close, perhaps?
This young male chose to flop down in the shade of our vehicle while we watched the rest of the pride try to enjoy some of the kudu that the dominant male was keeping to himself.
Lying around, panting, after enjoying some of the carcass.
Quietly awaiting their turn..Hooded vultures filled the trees in the surrounding area, and it was their presence that alerted our guide to the fact that there was a kill close by
Hooded vultures are distinguished by their cream-colored plumage with dark brown feathers and a distinctive white hood of downy feathers on their neck and head.
They are obligate scavengers, relying almost entirely on carrion (dead animals) for sustenance.
When a lion fixes its gaze on you—unblinking, steady, ancient—it feels as though the wild itself is staring straight through the thin veil of your humanity. In that moment, time collapses. Your breath catches. The layers of civilisation fall away, leaving something raw and instinctive in their place. It’s not fear in the usual sense, though your heart may race. It is but a deep, primal reverence.
You’re no longer the observer. You are seen. Truly seen. There’s a humbling vulnerability before such silent power, where the rules of the bush remind you: here, you are just another creature, briefly sharing space with a sentient being.
It’s exhilarating. Intimate. And unforgettable.
Unlike herds of plains game animals that tend to stick together, lions scatter themselves around when at a kill or even when they are resting up during the day.
It therefore pays to keep your eyes open, as one might pop up where you least expect it to.
This female was lying away from the rest of her pride, and I was so focused on the dominant male and those members close to our vehicle that I almost missed her!
Hitching a ride? Flies are a natural nuisance for most game species and especially when the animal is close to a kill.
Hip, hip, Hippo.
Just like an iceberg, the majority of this animal is hidden under water.
Did you know that a Hippo cannot swim?
They tend to drop the river bed and do a kind of bouncy gallop to get from one place to another.
But DO NOT be fooled, they can accelerate to around 8km/hr.
A display of dominance that is designed to intimidate…and it does exactly that.
When a parent decides to fart in the face of its offspring.
What was this all about?
I am still uncertain if it is a disciplinary behaviour or if the adult just needed to vent, and junior was too close..
Our tracker, Life, seemed to think that we, as a group, were entertaining.
And even if he did not, we certainly did! I don’t usually publish images of guests that I share a vehicle with, but this group was special, and I was sad to bid them farewell when I left camp.
Thanks to all on board for making me feel part of your ‘family’.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the landscape changes in silhouettes, the sky melts into shades of amber while those watching are often wrapped in a quiet, reflective awe. It’s a moment that softens the edges of the day, where words feel too heavy and silence becomes sacred.
There’s a deep sense of gratitude, perhaps tinged with longing or nostalgia, as the fading light reminds us of beauty’s fleeting nature. For some, it’s peace—pure and simple. For others, it stirs memories, dreams, or unspoken hopes. In that glow, time seems to slow, and hearts open to the wonder of simply being present.
This is a trip that I will remember for a long time, and I sincerely thank those who were present in camp for making me feel so welcome
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The awards are in the categories:
Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa
Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.
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