About the Author

Dean de la Rey

Alumni Ranger

Dean was a guide at Londolozi from 2018 to 2022. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember ...

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17 Comments

on Timing Sometimes IS Everything

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Wow Dean! An amazing experience. You never know what you will encounter out in the bush. The best sightings are usually the ones that are unexpected.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Couldn’t agree more.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Dean, what an amazing experience! Elephants and a leopard kill! You never know what you will see in the bush – what a great experience – wish I was there, but you told it wonderfully.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you so much Joan.

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush that comes with seeing a hunt and kill! Great story, Dean!

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

So true Mary Beth.
I can still recall a 45 minute stalking/kill by a cheetah during my first visit to Londolozi. I’m glad I put down my camera to watch the whole thing develop.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Nothing like it. Thank you Mary Beth

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Tortoise Pan male- my favorite after viewing him for quite some time next to a mud hole inhabited by a hippo. It’s good to know he’s thriving and has a territory to call his own. Your experience is enviable, one that is seldom witnessed and in reading your words, I feel the excitement. Wow!!👏📷

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Glad you felt it. Thanks Denise

Suzanne Gibson
Master Tracker

Astonishing sighting, Dean. I have mixed views about seeing a kill, as the only one I’ve seen was pretty brutal – 2 young lions had just brought down a solo buffalo cow, and she was still alive when the female started to tuck into the rump. In this case though the duiker didn’t know what had hit it, very quick and clean, so I could handle that! What I am really jealous of was you seeing him hoist the kill, that’s top of my bucket list.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

It is always tough to see. The whole experience is an emotional Rollercoaster but that’s what keeps you drawn.

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

The first close contact with a large elephant changed me from seeing it as a lumbering hulk to appreciating its graceful manner. I was also surprised by how quiet the movement was,

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

They define presence.

Anne Jones
Explorer

A story teller and photographer as well! Well done , Dean. I’ll never forget that experience. Miss you guys!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you so much Anne. So glad I could share the experience with you guys. Missing you all.

Robin Bussin
Explorer

I’m happy to say I was in Dean’s Jeep while this was happening. It was SO exciting…One of the best parts was seeing how excited Dean was..
As gruesome as it was it also was so fascinating to see the entire process.
Timing was everything!
Give Ray a big hug from us..

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

The excitement still lives. Thanks for the comment Robin. Hope everyone is well and look forward to seeing you guys again. Will pass on the message for Ray.

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