Coody at Satara, Kruger National Park — June 2025

Satara sits in the heart of Kruger's lion country, and this trip lived up to the reputation — elephants at the waterhole, a hyena trotting down the road at dusk, buffalo grazing out into the grass as far as you could see. And then, on a night drive, the sighting of a lifetime.

Loaded and Ready

Familia rolled up and packed, fridge and bedding in the back — Kruger-bound.

Car boot packed with the Coody Familia tent bag, cooler fridge, and bedding, ready to leave for Satara

Camp at Satara

Set up under the trees with the Familia's roof branding catching the afternoon light — home base for a week deep in Kruger.

Coody Familia inflatable tent set up at Satara campsite, Kruger National Park

Coody Familia tent at Satara, another angle showing the full campsite

Coody Familia tent at Satara with camper trailers and vehicles visible in the background

Interior of the Coody Familia tent at Satara, double bed made up with white bedding, coody branding visible on the ceiling

View from inside the Coody Familia annex looking out at camp chairs and the rest of the campsite at Satara — Camp chairs out, kettle on, ready for the next game drive.

Nights Under Canvas

Satara gets cold and quiet after dark — the Familia lit up warm against it, night after night.

Coody Familia tent lit up at night at Satara campsite, Kruger National Park

Coody Familia tent glowing at sunset through the trees at Satara

The Bush Delivers

Elephants at last light, buffalo out in the open grass, and a hyena that wasn't in any hurry to get off the road.

Two elephants walking along the water's edge at sunset near Satara

A large herd of buffalo grazing in tall grass near Satara at dusk

A hyena walking along the road at dusk near Satara, Kruger National Park

An African wild cat sitting near camp at night at Satara

Scenic Satara

Between the sightings, Kruger did what it always does at dawn and dusk.

A deep red sun setting over the grassland near Satara

Sunset over a river near Satara, Kruger National Park

Wide view over a dry riverbed and valley near Satara

A low-water bridge crossing a river near Satara, Kruger National Park

The Sighting of the Trip

Then, on a night drive, this happened right next to the vehicle — a lion and lioness, completely unbothered by the spotlight, the cameras, or how close everyone was. Two minutes that made the entire trip.

Turn your sound on for this one. Recorded on a night drive out of Satara — lions on the road, metres from the vehicle.