25/05/2026
On Saturday 23 May I once again (for the 3123rd time) jumped out of bed at 4am and made my way to Phalaborwa in search of a female leopard and 2 almost adult cubs.
I met friends who told me I just missed the 3 playing in the river bed, so we drove up and down for awhile, I stayed on the river loop and my friends said they were going to follow their instinct and search tar road. Well after spending about half an hour I slowly started my way back down the H14 back in Phalaborwa direction.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a bakkie (truck) lights flashing coming around the corner, then I recognised my friends who were so AWESOME to turn around and come looking for me after they had been driving next to the th*****me for the time I spent staring down the river bed, still so grateful that folks get those kind of friends in Kruger.
Well heart beating and almost jumping out of my mouth, I followed and got a bittersweet 5 second sighting of the 3 before they veered off the road and disappeared into the thicker mopani bush.
I felt sooooo disappointed and decided to try my old stomping ground for another female leopard in the Ngotso area. I was blessed with a few wild dog before deciding to slowly went my way back to the Phalaborwa area for one more try at finding the spots.
I had just crossed the Olifant's River bridge and travelled slowly along the river for about 2km when I glimpsed something, I though a wild cart, dart in and out of the road. I was very sure I was not going to find it again when all of a sudden this beaut sat up and stared at me. I was absolutely blown away as a caracal has been on my bucket list for so long now, I can't even remember how many years ago I had the pleasure of getting one on camera, in KTP many moons ago. This was only the second time I have seen one in Kruger. It wasn't too skittish and at least gave me time to stop the car take a few pics in auto focus, which are terrible, then go to manual focus, before it eventually disappeared into the long grass.
Just proof that your blessings sometimes show up in completely different form to what you were so hoping for
