Connor Rose

Connor visits South Africa each year to connect with his family, who reside in Hoedspruit, a small local town bordering the Greater Kruger National Park area. Here, he and his family traverse the beautiful landscape of Rietspruit Game Reserve, a 5,000-hectare farm filled with a diverse range of mammals, birdlife, and flora. The reserve has two non-perennial rivers, Zandspruit and Rietspruit, both containing underground water that brings an explosion of greenery and lush bushveld along these systems. Apart from enjoying delicious braais, afternoon siestas, and exciting game drives, one activity Connor always looks forward to on safari is the post-morning coffee stops. Other than seeing a leopard, nothing thrills him more than having a freshly brewed coffee, listening to the awakening of the dawn chorus, and absorbing the warmth from the rising sun’s rays. A surreal moment he cherishes every time on safari.

“While working in the safari industry, I was very fortunate to experience some incredible sightings over those years. One experience that stands out originates from the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, a 60,000-hectare reserve expanding in the western private sectors of Kruger National Park. Driving along the banks of the infamous Klaserie River always presented beautiful sundowner spots. Whilst unpacking the vehicle and setting up the classic G ‘n’ T stop, one of my guests pointed out a young leopardess sitting upright in a Marula tree just 15 metres from our location. As I looked up, she dashed into the thicket! Without hesitation we were all back in the vehicle, eyes wide open, ears on alert, searching for this elusive cat – and to our luck, she was found… but with an unexpected surprise! As we turned the corner, we were graced with the sight of her lying perfectly in an open area on top of a fresh impala kill. She hoisted her kill up the same tree we had originally spotted her in, and we watched her feed peacefully. A full-circle moment to end a memorable experience.”