| #ffffff;" /> | | | | fade, you can feel the bush closing in; and if you |
| If your South Africa safari is spent in a luxury lodge | | | | listen closely, you will hear the silence slowly giving |
| in the private Sabi Sands Reserve, adjacent to | | | | way to the sounds of the night. |
| Kruger National Park – one of the most | | | | On the road |
| memorable things you can do is to experience the | | | | A South Africa safari at night is always conducted by |
| thrill of a night safari. No safari in South Africa would | | | | trained (and armed) park rangers from the safety of |
| be complete without this unique opportunity to join | | | | an open topped vehicle. The rangers have an expert |
| the wildlife of the African bush as it goes about its | | | | knowledge of the animals’ predatory |
| nightly activity. | | | | nocturnal behavior and will give a running commentary |
| Night falls | | | | on their hunting habits and who’s eating who! |
| In South Africa, a safari holiday takes on a different | | | | The vehicles are fitted with two or three powerful |
| guise when the sun goes down, and beneath the | | | | spotlights, and if you’re lucky, you’ll |
| cloak of velvet darkness the sounds of the bush are | | | | be given control of one. On the call of the ranger you |
| amplified to a startling level. Distant birdcalls that | | | | can swing the spot around and it’s possible to |
| wouldn’t even rate a mention during daylight | | | | suddenly be face to face with a hippo, rhino, zebra, |
| can have you wide-eyed in surprise; and a low | | | | giraffe or even a bewildered baboon! |
| throaty grumble from the undergrowth will have your | | | | As you trundle through the park on your night safari |
| heart racing. During the day, the animals of the park | | | | in South Africa, the air is filled with the calls and |
| are often sleepy and spend their time lazing under | | | | echoes of the myriad species of park animals heading |
| trees sheltering from the scorching heat - but after | | | | to the waterholes. You may find the road blocked by |
| dark they come alive! The cool of the evening brings | | | | a herd of wildebeest trooping down to the waters |
| a flurry of activity as the animals make their | | | | edge, passing you by within inches – a |
| pilgrimage to the water holes, or begin their nighttime | | | | hundred tiny eyes reflecting spookily in the headlights |
| feeding rituals. | | | | – or you could even encounter the Lion King, |
| Before you set off, it is tradition for anyone on a | | | | stealthily stalking his prey and dusting off his paws |
| night safari in South Africa to partake in a | | | | for dinner! |
| ‘sundowner,’ (an aperitif) with your | | | | The unique, spine-tingling experience of a night drive |
| companions. As the light dies and the incredible | | | | is not to be missed on your luxury South Africa safari |
| painted sunset skies of the African bush darken and | | | | holiday. |