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Predators

The area around Orpen, Tamboti and Maroela is fantastic for predators! If you want to give yourself a chance of seeing lion, leopard and cheetah on one outing, just drive the H7 tar road to Satara (slowly) in the early morning and again in the late afternoon. Look for cheetahs at the H7/S36-S39 south cross.The S39 south is great for leopards and lions. Also keep your eyes open for leopards and lions on the S106.

Elephants and rhinos

White rhinos are relatively common along the first 10 to 15km of the H7 east of Orpen. These areas are very open, making them ideal for white rhinos. Also look for them on the S106. Elephants are often found on the banks of the Timbavati River along the H7 and the S39 south. In the dry season you often find them in the riverbed.

Zebras, blue wildebeests and giraffes

Zebras and blue wildebeests are very common in the open areas directly east of Orpen on the H7 and S106. They are the main prey source of lions in this area. Giraffe are also found in the open areas of the H7, but I have found good numbers of them on the southern section of the S39 Timbavati road, too.

Hippos

If you are staying at either Orpen, Tamboti or Maroela and you want to see hippo, you don't have to drive too far. Take the H7 and drive almost all the way to Satara. At Nsemani Dam you have an excellent chance of seeing hippos. They generally stay all year round and are often found out of the water grazing, especially in the early mornings and on overcast days.

Scenery

The S39 south runs all along the bank of the Timbavati River and is extremely scenic. The vegetation changes regularly. The southern tip is very open and great for cheetahs, while the central and northern sections of the S39 south are more dense and best for leopards and lions. There are a number of stunning views over the river on this road. But it can, unfortunately,  become very corrugated at times.

Birds

The open areas just east of Orpen on the H7 attract a variety of grassland species, including secretary bird, kori bustard and Shelley's francolin. The S106 Rabelais Loop is also great for birding – look for magpie and white crowned shrikes, yellow and red-billed hornbills and red-crested korhaan. If you drive all the way to Nsemani Dam on the H7, look out for African fish-eagle and Egyptian and spur-winged geese.