In the latest episode of ‘Keep Travelling: Your African Story’, host Rael Zieve sat down with Johan Adriaanse, the recent winner of a Keep Travelling prize giveaway, to hear about his Dulini Leadwood safari in South Africa’s famous Sabi Sands. This was not a lodge owner giving a sales pitch. It was not a polished brochure either. Instead, it was a real traveller sharing what he and his wife, Nicola, saw, felt, tasted and remembered from a very special stay in the bush.
Winning More Than Just a Prize
There is something lovely about hearing from a traveller after the journey has happened. Before a trip, everything sits in the imagination. You picture the lodge, the room, the wildlife, the first drink on the deck, and the sound of the bush at night. Once someone has actually been there, though, the story changes. It becomes warmer, more believable, and far more human.
For Johan and Nicola, this South Africa safari giveaway became more than a lucky win. It turned into a birthday break, a proper pause from normal life, and a chance to feel Africa again in a very personal way. They did not just tick off a prize. They lived it.
That is why this episode works so well. It gives a guest’s honest view of a Dulini Leadwood safari, not from a brochure, but from someone who arrived, unpacked, met the staff and came home with stories that still felt fresh.
Getting to Dulini Leadwood
Johan and Nicola live in Tzaneen, so their drive to Dulini Leadwood took around three and a half to four hours. Heavy floods in Limpopo had caused some damage in the wider area before their visit, so the signs of that were still visible along the way. Even so, the route to the lodge was smooth, clear and easy to follow.
Google Maps helped them all the way, and once they entered the Sabi Sands, the lodge directions were also clear.
The nice part was that the wildlife experience began almost immediately. Johan said they saw a rhino about 500 metres after entering the park. That is quite a welcome. You have not even reached the lodge, and already the bush is reminding you why this region is so special.
First Impressions of a Dulini Leadwood Safari
Dulini Leadwood sits in the Sabi Sands, one of South Africa’s most respected private safari areas. The region is known for excellent leopard sightings, strong guiding, luxury lodges and a more personal style of game viewing. Yet Johan’s first impression was not only about the name or reputation. It was about the setting.
He described the lodge as beautifully built into the natural environment, with rocks, trees and the riverbank shaping the whole feel of the place. Although Dulini has another lodge with “River” in its name, Leadwood also sits beside the river, and that became one of the most peaceful parts of the stay.
From the room, Johan and Nicola could hear water running over the cobbles. It gave the lodge a calm rhythm. Sometimes luxury is a big thing, like a huge suite or private pool. At other times, it is simply the sound of water outside your room while the bush settles around you.
A Suite You Almost Do Not Want to Leave
One of the strongest moments in the conversation came when Johan described the accommodation. He and Nicola have travelled quite widely through Southern Africa, so they are not easy to impress. Even with that experience, he called the room spectacular.
The suite sounded less like a bedroom and more like a private little home in the bush. There was a lounge area, a kitchenette, a large bedroom, a generous dressing space, beautiful bathrooms, an indoor shower and an outdoor shower. Then came the private lap-style pool facing towards the river.
Rael joked that they almost did not need to leave the room. Johan agreed, and you can understand why. A proper Sabi Sands luxury safari should not only deliver wildlife. It should also give you time to be still, to sit quietly, and to enjoy the lodge as part of the experience.
Hospitality That Feels Personal
Luxury in Africa is not only about thread count, architecture or fancy plating. Very often, the people create the real feeling of a place. Johan spoke about the Dulini Leadwood team with real warmth. He even said it might sound like he was promoting the lodge, but made it clear that he was simply giving an honest account.
The staff made his birthday feel special from the moment they arrived until the moment they left. That does not mean they crowded the experience. In fact, Johan explained that the service never felt overbearing. It was warm, present and thoughtful, without becoming too much.
Food, Flavour and Thoughtful Details
Johan was just as positive about the food. In fact, he said it was probably the best food experience he had enjoyed at a lodge in a remote area. That is a strong comment from someone who has travelled often through Southern Africa.
The meals were well planned, full of flavour and carefully prepared. He described them as semi three-course experiences, with plenty of snacks during the day as well. So, as he said, guests certainly do not go hungry.
Nicola is vegetarian, and the lodge catered for her properly. That detail is worth mentioning because vegetarian food on safari should never feel like an afterthought. It should be considered, generous and enjoyable in its own right. From Johan’s comments, Dulini Leadwood handled this well.
They also made him a small birthday cake. It was a simple gesture, but these are the things people remember. Luxury becomes more than comfort when someone has paid attention to who you are and why you are there.
The Wildlife Experience Begins
A Dulini Leadwood safari would not be complete without the game drives, and Johan had plenty to share. He and Nicola chose to focus on drives rather than walking safaris or spa treatments. The lodge offers other activities, but this trip came after a hectic period, so they wanted to relax.
That choice suited the stay. Sometimes safari is not about doing everything available. Instead, it is about choosing the rhythm that fits your mood, your energy and the reason for the trip.
On the drives, the wildlife delivered in a big way. The leopard sightings stood out most. Johan explained that although they had been on safari many times before, the time they spent with leopards during this stay was unlike anything they had experienced.
One encounter with two young sister leopards was especially memorable. The vehicle stayed quietly nearby while the leopards played around each other. Nicola took beautiful photographs, and the sighting had that lovely unhurried feeling that makes the Sabi Sands so powerful.
Big Cats and Big Memories
The lion sightings were also excellent. Johan and Nicola came across a small pride or family group, with three males, two females and three cubs. Even better, they were the first vehicle to find them, which meant they could spend proper time there before other vehicles arrived.
That kind of quiet sighting is one of the gifts of a well-managed private reserve. In busier areas, a major cat sighting can quickly become crowded. Rael mentioned a recent Kruger experience where a leopard kill attracted so many vehicles that it felt like a busy city road. For first-time safari guests, that can take away from the wonder of the moment.
At Dulini Leadwood, the experience felt different. Johan said the reserve was quiet and not congested. Even when the lodges were busy, the game viewing still felt calm. On their last two days, he and Nicola were alone on their game drives, which made the experience feel even more personal.
A Fresh Leopard Kill Near the Lodge
One of the most dramatic sightings happened close to the lodge. In the morning, the ranger arrived and told them to skip the usual coffee for a moment because they had seen something on the way in.
They soon came across a leopard with a fresh impala kill. Johan and Nicola did not see the kill happen, and Johan felt that was probably for the best. Still, they arrived when the moment was raw and fresh. The leopard was lying near the impala, exhausted from the effort, catching his breath before eating.
This is the bush in its real form. It is beautiful, but it is not staged. It can be calm one moment and intense the next. A strong guide helps guests understand that without turning it into theatre.
More Than the Big Five
One of the best parts of the conversation was Johan’s attitude towards wildlife. He and Nicola were not only interested in chasing big cats or ticking off the Big Five. When the guide asked what they wanted to see, Johan said they were happy with whatever nature offered.
That is a wonderful way to approach safari. Of course, most guests hope to see lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo. There is nothing wrong with that. However, the bush becomes much richer when you stop treating it like a checklist.
Johan spoke with the same enjoyment about birds, reptiles and smaller sightings. One evening, just after sunset, the tracker spotted a chameleon in the spotlight beside the road. Johan had never seen anything quite like it and described it as huge.
These smaller moments often surprise travellers. They teach you to look closer, listen better and slow down. In many ways, that is where a Dulini Leadwood safari becomes more than a search for headline animals.
Guides, Trackers and Respect for Nature
Johan gave a special mention to Nathan, their guide. He said Nathan had a unique ability not only to look after guests, but also to show deep respect for nature and the park. That stood out to both Johan and Nicola.
This respect matters. A great guide does not simply chase sightings. A great guide reads the land, understands animal behaviour, manages guest expectations and protects the experience for everyone. They know when to move closer, when to hold back, when to speak and when to let silence do the work.
Johan also praised the tracker, even though he could not remember his name during the conversation. Together, the guide and tracker helped shape the experience. Their local knowledge, calm professionalism and bush skill made the safari feel both exciting and responsible.
That point led naturally into a wider thought about conservation and education. Rael spoke about how more guides, families and communities across Africa understand the importance of protecting wildlife and natural spaces. Johan agreed, and at Dulini Leadwood, he could see a successful lodge trying to remain in harmony with its environment.
Why the Sabi Sands Felt So Special
For Johan, one of the strongest features of the trip was how quiet the reserve felt. They were not constantly surrounded by other vehicles, and the game drives never felt like a race. That gave the whole stay a more personal feeling.
He also loved the way the vehicles could move into remote corners of the reserve. They crossed through water, pulled into beautiful little areas for drinks, stopped near dams and enjoyed wild spaces that felt untouched. It did not feel like a fixed commercial route. It felt alive and flexible.
That is a major part of a Sabi Sands luxury safari. The best moments often happen away from the obvious places. It might be a coffee stop under trees. Sometimes it is a sundowner beside water. You may remember a leopard resting in the shade, or a bird call your guide explains just as the light begins to fade.
These moments do not always sound dramatic on paper. However, once you are there, they become the things you carry home.
A Real Guest View of Dulini Leadwood
What makes this episode valuable is its honesty. Johan was not there to sell Dulini Leadwood. He was there because he had won a prize and enjoyed the experience. That gives his words a different kind of weight.
He spoke as someone who has travelled, loves nature and understands that safari is not only about luxury. It is also about balance, space, good people and moments you could never fully plan.
For anyone considering a Dulini Leadwood safari, this guest perspective is useful. It gives practical reassurance about the journey, arrival, rooms, food, staff and wildlife. More than that, it gives a feeling. You can hear that Johan and Nicola were genuinely moved by the stay.
Why Prize Giveaways Matter
The Keep Travelling prize giveaways are not just marketing extras. They give people the chance to experience Africa in a direct and personal way. In Johan’s case, this South Africa safari giveaway opened the door to rhino near the entrance, leopards at play, lions with cubs, a birthday cake in the bush and a story that feels lived, not scripted.
Planning Your Own Sabi Sands Safari
If Johan’s experience tells us anything, it is that the right safari does not need to be rushed. Travellers often try to fit too much into one journey, especially when visiting Africa for the first time. However, a place like this rewards those who slow down.
A stay in the Sabi Sands works beautifully for guests who want excellent wildlife, strong guiding and a more private lodge experience. It is also ideal for travellers who want luxury without losing the wild feeling of the bush.
Dulini Leadwood seems especially well suited to couples, honeymooners, birthday trips and anyone who wants space, quiet and personal attention. The private suites, river setting, warm staff and strong game viewing all help create that feeling.
Final Thoughts
Johan and Nicola’s stay at Dulini Leadwood is a reminder that safari is not only about what you see. It is about how a place makes you feel.
They saw rhino, leopard, lion, elephant, antelope, birds and a memorable chameleon. They enjoyed beautiful food, a spectacular room and a peaceful river-facing setting. The lodge team also made the stay feel personal from the first welcome to the final goodbye.
Underneath all of that was something deeper. There was respect for nature, space to breathe and a sense that the lodge, guides and wider reserve understood the value of doing safari properly.
For travellers dreaming of a Dulini Leadwood safari, Johan’s story offers a warm and honest glimpse of what might be waiting. Not a rushed checklist. Not a crowded wildlife race. Rather, a slower, richer and more personal encounter with one of South Africa’s most beautiful safari regions.
Should you want to contact me directly, please email: rael@keeptravelling.africa
A few years from now, you will not remember how much it cost you, but you will always remember the memories you made. Keep Travelling.
