Once again Lee has gone down to the Kruger Park to assist with the training of some of the premier Lodges in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. His training this time was for the trackers and rangers of Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson’s Private Game Reserve, Leopard Hills Private Game Reserve and Savannah Private Game Reserve. It was an awesome session, in which we managed to find the most amazing spoor such as mating honey badgers, potter wasps and a marsh mongoose, which have not been seen in the reserve in 15 years, although they are common outside the boundary fence. This is presumably due to leopard pressure along the river systems where both live.

The experience levels of the rangers and trackers is awesome, with some of the chaps having more than 25 years of experience in guiding or tracking, and often both. The rain made the tracks a little scarce but when we found good material it was greatly detailed, and the guys on course were so open to learning that it was a pleasure to spend time with them.

Special thanks must go to Marius Coetzee for his co-ordination of this group and of course the hospitality of the Leopard Hills team and the Ulusaba team who accommodated me. Thanks too to Duard and Neil for allowing their teams to participate.

Marius Coetzee in action, he is already an accomplished photographer, and is busy working towards his first book publication. His images have been seen in books and magazines across South Africa.

Phil, seen here doing some last minute reading, is from Ulusaba, and is an experienced guide. He achieved level 3 in track and sign on this assessment. A fantastic achievement, well done Phil! Lybon is busy with Lee discussing a few tracks on the assessment.

As always the game viewing was great, but a herd containing 3 tuskless cow elephants gave us a bit of a run around!

Hannes and Lybon getting down, and Gary, and ex-Entabeni Ranger on assessment.

Sometimes the animals in the Sands do get a little close for comfort, just ask these Ulusaba guests!

The banks of the Sand River must be one of the most leopard dense areas on earth, and here a beautiful female can be seen following a very nervous francolin…

Leopard Hills are so orientated towards the upliftment of their employee’s skill sets that they have even enrolled all their trackers for local guide assessments, and Ronald, June and Abraham are fast on their way to becoming guides. Well done to you all!

The chaps can be seen here on drive, Ronald on the left, then June and then Abraham on the right.

Some awesome birds were about too, with yellow billed kites abundant, and of course the reptiles were out too, with a beautiful Speke’s Hinged Tortoise being a favourite.

Well it was yet another fruitful visit to the Park, with hot weather, some rain and some good tracks and company of course. I look forward to my next visit!

Lee