Cradled in the surrounding majesty of age-old ebony trees, Dulini River Lodge is a homecoming second to none, with unsurpassed views of the majestic Sand River from every vantage point. Six opulent suites are testament that the lap of luxury is an integral necessity of a well-deserved safari.

?More rosettes everyone"? guide Justin Hall asks, as though we are ordering from a menu. Eyes veiled behind sunglasses, I can hardly contain my excitement. Four affirmations are all that’s required.  Unbeknownst to us, we have the fortitude of a leopard whisperer in our midst. While Justin is busy explaining the human track marks in the sand in front of our vehicle, our leopard whisperer points to the right, where out of the long grass, the Ravenscourt male leopard makes his appearance.
Today, it?s the turn of the Basile female leopardess, and her majestic beauty can?t possibly be described; it has to be experienced in person. How she evaded us is a mystery, but having driven straight past her, she suddenly appears right in our peripheral vision. She is moving through an open clearing when she unexpectedly disappears into the thicket. Justin and tracker Dyke Ndlovu exit the vehicle in search of her, but don?t spot her. Leopards are notorious tree-climbers, and Basile is no different as they look up to see her suspended on a tree branch directly above them.

We conclude our morning game drive with the Dewane leopard, scarred from many battles, he careens down the tree ...