Vanessa Wilkins

You know the phrase to take someones breath away?

Well thats how youll feel on a safari.

You will be so amazed that you literally, and I meanliterally, wont be able to breathe.

A photo of Mr. Wilkins on his safari trip

Credit:Vanessa Wilkins

It was fall 2019.

But quickly, everything changed.

He passed away in 2021, leaving my family and me absolutely heartbroken.

Wilkins Family enjoying safari trip

Vanessa Wilkins

Singita Lebombo is situated on a private 33,000 acres inside South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

The luxury lodge offers a personalized experience with incredibleaccommodations, private game drives, and extraordinary cuisine.

After the riveting leopard encounter, our group headed back toward the lodge.

A large leopard looking grumpy while perched on a log

Vanessa Wilkins

His absence was palpable, but so was our deep love for him.

But each new day turned out to be more extraordinary than the last.

Ndlovu and Stiglingh were a safari dream team.

A gorgeous bright orange, pink and red sunset along the water with silhouetted trees

Vanessa Wilkins

We treat them with respect, and they treat us with respect, he explained.

In between the morning and evening game drives, my family made the most of Singita Lebombos other amenities.

The endless options kept us thoroughly entertained in between game drives.

A family group of elephants seen on safari in the grass

Vanessa Wilkins

Our family safari was as close to perfect as it gets, given the circumstances.

Animal foot prints in the dirt and two people trekking along in the grass a sunrise

Vanessa Wilkins

Vanessa Wilkins with a glass of champagne and a Singita Land Cruiser

Vanessa Wilkins