Dangerous Dando!

Perched high atop our solid hill during the torrential cloudburst caused by Cyclone Dando, we were constantly alert and aware of the danger yet felt totally safe and secure as some lodges around us were evacuated, especially those on the sand river.

Somewhere beneath the floodwater in the below images is the sand river causeway that we usually cross over!

285mm of rain in around 60 hours transformed our western sabi sand traversing area into a wetland reminiscent of a muddy brown Okavango Delta. Dry river beds swelled into raging rivers fed by a myriad of newly formed drainage channels.

This is the view from Leopard Hills of the “dry” Mabrak river which surged into life, rose to record levels and came thundering below our camp.

Leopard Hills lodge faced the challenge and stood firmly, recording absolutely no damage and were up and running immediately, our biggest concern was making sure our guests made it through the muddy roads in the reserve and onto their trusty Land Rover.

The last few days’ game drives have been an adventure as the sun has returned to dry up the land, bringing us some great sightings in between one or two fun water crossings.

The sand river has widened, deposited lots of sand and opened up previously inaccessible areas for viewing the rest of the year!

The popular tegwan drinks spot has been transformed and the view of the river improved!

As the Mabrak river has begun to dry up some catfish were washed down and left stranded in isolated pools. Abraham, who many of you know very well relished the opportunity and showed our guests his fishing or should I say soccer skills!