Sabi Sabi is known for unique experiences for guests but it’s common for the lodge staff and even the guides to see and experience incredible things for the first time as well. Animals frequent the lodges and the waterholes nearby allowing guests and staff to share these incredible moments in the wild along with guides.

For me, there have been so many first-time sightings and many will stay with me forever. One of the most memorable moments was my first ever view of an African Painted Wolf or African Wild Dog.

Through all my travels in the bush over the years, darting to last seen locations and tracking for hours on end, I was hot on the trail but never fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of these fast-paced animals. That was until one afternoon during my training at Sabi Sabi.

With the fading light of day dowsing the bushveld in a golden glow, myself and another trainee were on our way to the main gate when we saw a flash of white through the dry grass just outside of Bush Lodge. We stopped the vehicle immediately, eagerly scanning and listening intently hoping to find what we believed we had seen. With a "yip" from within the bushes, we held our breath as an African Painted Wolf emerged and trotted past us. While it stood scanning ahead, another, then another appeared until we counted fifteen altogether!

They didn't seem to be in a hurry, and neither were we, so we stayed, enthralled and watched them skip around playing and nuzzling. What a lucky find! I couldn't have asked for a better first ever view of these phenomenal and striking predators and will never forget the feeling of happiness and accomplishment I felt finding them after such a long search. Definitely worth the wait!

In summer, the bushveld is awash with green and allowed for my next first view of a stunning bird, the Woodland Kingfisher. While on safari I heard the distinct call and stopped to search for the singer. Above me, on a low-lying branch, a Woodland Kingfisher bobbed its body while waving its open wings bellowing out its call. Soon another flash of blue announced the arrival of a second kingfisher as it joined in the display. They put on quite a show and what a sight it is to behold! Later in summer the calls of Woodland Kingfishers can be heard bouncing around the bush as you enjoy the bounty summer has to offer.