Wild4 African Photographic Safaris

TANZANIA PHOTO SAFARI Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti - Feb 2012

2012-02-10T20:51:00.000+02:00

This trip lived up to all expectations and more. The sightings were amazing, lots of predator action, Lions and Cheetahs on multiple kills and a very special and rare sighting of a Striped Hyaena and cub.

We spent a full day in the Crater on the way to the Serengeti and our first sighting of the tour was Lions on a buffalo carcass surrounded by 30 plus Spotted Hyaenas. Luckily for the Lions the two big males were present and the Hyaenas stayed their distance.

We then moved on to the central Serengeti in the area of the famed Kopjes, rocky granite outcrops that epitomise the Serengeti landscape. We had a most beautiful sighting of a big male lion on one of the outcrops with a very friendly agama lizard that climbed all over the lion as he slept. We had leopard sightings every day.

Our second camp was in the south, located near the Ndutu Lake in the Ngorongoro Conservation area. Off road driving is allowed here and this allowed us to get really close to the animals.

Here are a few photos from the tour. The same trip will be running in 2013 so let us know if you are interested as space is limited to only 6 participants.

All the very best

Stu

Movie Trailer of the Photo Safari

Ngorongoro Crater View Point

Crater at night from Sopa Lodge

Male Lion in the Crater

Olive Baboons foraging in the Crater

Spotted Hyaena chasing a Jackal with an Abdims Stork Carcass

Zebras resting - Crater

Black Rhino with Flamingoes in the background - Crater

Spotted Hyaena running - Crater

European Roller - Ndutu Area

Elephants at Sunset -Ndutu Area

Lioness - Ndutu Area

Lioness drinking - Ndutu Area

Lion pride - Ndutu Area

Lion cubs playing - Ndutu Area

Tawny Eagle - Ndutu Area

Striped Hyaena - Ndutu Area

Vultures - Central Serengeti

Lappet Faced Vulture - Central Serengeti

Lions resting - Central Serengeti

Leopard in tree - Central Serengeti

Bat Eared Foxes - Central Serengeti

Hippos at the Hippo pools picnic site - Central Serengeti

Spotted Hyaena running - central Serengeti

Black Backed Jackal pup with feather - central Serengeti

Black Backed Jackal pup playing - central Serengeti

Grey Backed Fiscal Shrike - Central Serengeti

Male Lion on Rocky Outcrop - central Serengeti

Sunset - central Serengeti

Lions fighting over a zebra kill - central Serengeti

Lappet Faced Vulture bringing nesting material - central Serengeti

Lion stalking Hartebeest - central Serengeti

Leopard resting - central Serengeti

Lilac Breasted Roller - central Serengeti

Black Winged Stilt - central Serengeti

Cape Teal - central Serengeti

Egyptian Geese - central Serengeti

Male Impala - central Serengeti

Pin Tailed Wydah - central Serengeti

Zebras - central Serengeti

3 male Cheetahs on a Zebra kill - Ndutu Area

Cheetahs feeding on the Zebra kill - Ndutu Area

Lioness in tree - Ndutu Area

Spotted Hyaena in water at sunset - Ndutu Area

Kori Bustard in display - Ndutu Area

Zebras drinking - Ndutu Area

Female Cheetah - Ndutu Area

Lioness and cubs - Ndutu Area

Striped Hyaena and cub - Ndutu Area

European Roller - Ndutu Area

Sunset - Ndutu Area

NOVEMBER 2011 - Scott Grubb in the MASAI MARA

2011-11-27T21:45:00.001+02:00

Hi all,

Many thanks to Scott for sending through some of his favourites from his trip to Kenya's Masai Mara.
To view more of Scott's photos please click on this link to his flickr site.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16866094@N06/with/6412067627/

Many thanks again Scott, and all the best to everyone.

The first trip of next years season will be to Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.

Kindest regards

The WILD4 Team !!

OCTOBER 2011 - Best of KRUGER plus BIG CATS photo safari

2011-11-01T22:06:00.000+02:00

The final trip of the season has been completed and the rainy season has officially arrived in the Kruger area !

Finally the pressure of the dry season was broken and the rains brought fresh new grass and leaves to the park. Bird activity was impressive with a number of migrants returning.

News from the Big Cat Reserve is that the new baby elephant is still doing well although we did not manage to see it on this trip.

Many thanks again to the staff at the Big Cat Reserve and to our ranger Jaco !

The next trip report will be from the trip to Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti next February where we expect to see the gathering of 1000's and 1000's or Wildebeest in the open plains of Southern Serengeti.

All the very best to everyone and look out for the client photos that will be posted soon. If anyone still wants to send in some photos for the Client Blog then please feel free, 600px on the longest side will fit best.

Warm regards from us all

Stu & the WILD4 team

Hippo - Kruger National Park

Steenbok - Kruger National Park

Cheetah at sunset - Big Cat Reserve

Caracal Jumping - Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion - Big Cat Reserve

Grey Heron at sunset - Kruger National Park

Lions - Kruger National Park

White Rhino's enjoying the new green grass - Kruger Nat Park

Southern Ground Hornbill - Kruger National Park

Hippos fighting - Kruger National Park

Lesser Striped Swallow - Kruger National Park

African Fish Eagle - Kruger National Park

Great White Egret - Kruger National Park

Hammerkop - Kruger National Park

Female Waterbuck - Kruger National Park

OCTOBER 2011 - Lions & Leopards of MALA MALA photo safari

2011-10-13T08:48:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Here are some photos from the latest photo safari to the Big Cat Reserve, Gomo Gomo and Mala Mala. The first rains of the season fell whilst we were at the Big Cat Reserve and the bush has already begun to sprout its first green shoots.

Exciting news out of the reserve is that Malutka - Becky's calf, has produced a baby boy. We were lucky to see the baby elephant on his first day of life at the big cat reserve.

The Ross pride at Gomo Gomo was seen every day and we learned of the sad news that the female with the dislocated hip had killed and eaten 3 new cubs, one of which was a rare white lion. She must be struggling to keep up with the pride on their hunts and eats whatever she can to survive. The two other cubs we saw earlier in the year are still doing well.

Mala Mala produced a fantastic leopard experience with a mating pair joined by a young female who seemed very curious about the whole thing. We saw these leopards everyday and got some fantastic shots.

All 4 of the Manyeleti Males were seen as well as the Styx Pride and 3 of the Eyrefield lionesses.

Many thanks to our rangers - Doug (Big Cat Reserve), Ewan (Gomo) and Ryan (Mala Mala) for your patience and hard work :) it is greatly appreciated...

Enjoy !!

The final trip for this season will be to the Big Cat Reserve and the Kruger National Park - look out for the trip report.

Warmest regards to everyone

Stu

Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

White Backed Vulture - Forest Camp Extension

Ntombi with the remains of an Impala kill - Big Cat Reserve

Blacksmith Lapwing - Mala Mala

Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

Cheetahs - Big Cat Reserve

Malutka, Becky and the new arrival - Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion - Gomo Gomo

The Ross pride - Gomo Gomo

Hyaena with the remains of the Leopards kill - Gomo Gomo

Young Leopard - Gomo Gomo

Dwarf Mongoose - Gomo Gomo

Magpie Shrike - Gomo Gomo

Two of the Manyeleti males - Mala Mala

Leopards mating - Mala Mala

Female Leopard drinking - Mala Mala

Lions drinking - Mala Mala

The beautiful Sand River flowing through Mala Mala

Water Monitor Lizard - Mala Mala

Male Lion shaking - Mala Mala

Leopard at night - Mala Mala

Leopards mating at night - Mala Mala

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Leopard - Mala Mala

The Styx pride - Mala Mala

Leopards mating - Mala Mala

Female Leopard in the Sand River - Mala Mala

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Lioness yawning - Mala Mala

Lions greeting - Mala Mala

Elephant arriving at the sand river for a drink - Mala Mala

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Saddle Billed Storks - Mala Mala

Grey Go-Away bird - Mala Mala

Elephant - Mala Mala

Cape Buffalo at night - Mala Mala

Leopard at sunset - Mala Mala

SEPTEMBER 2011 - Best of Kruger Plus Big Cats Photo Safari

2011-09-29T09:09:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Herewith some photos from the September photo safari.

There was a change in the weather, as is expected at this time of year, no more very cold mornings like we experienced in June July and August. Temperatures tend to fluctuate quite a lot at this time and our hottest day reached 36 deg C. The coolest was 21 deg C.

As usual this time of year creates pressure on the animals as water sources dry out and the animals are forced to the big rivers or dams. This is of course where the predators hang out. The existing record of 86 different lions seen on one safari was broken :) and it now stands at 102 !!

Near Satara in central Kruger, we were lucky to catch up with the S100 mega pride - now at 27 individuals, most of which are cubs.

The Big Cat Reserve proved to be good fun and the cheetahs are now quite used to going out on a hunt as you drive with them. Ntombi almost caught a warthog piglet but the female warthog stepped in and chased all of them off.

The Rhino poaching problem continues to plague the country, especially the Kruger area and a decision was made by the owners of the big cat reserve to dehorn all of their 14 Rhinos. A Rhino is not the same without its horn, but hopefully it will help to protect the species.

Other than than, enjoy the photos !!

Next trip report will be the LIONS & LEOPARDS of MALA MALA photo safari

Very best wishes

The WILD4 Team

Male Nyala - Forest Camp extension

Karoo the Caracal - Big Cat Reserve

Spotted Bush Snake eating Tree Frog

Bhubesi the Lion cub - Big Cat Reserve

Nyala drinking - Forest Camp extension

King Cheetah running - Big Cat Reserve

Red Billed Hornbill

Male Lion and Cub - Big Cat Reserve

Lioness and cubs - Big Cat Reserve

Ntombi chasing the warthog - Big Cat Reserve

Warthog chasing Hunters - Big Cat Reserve

Zebra - Kruger Park

African Harrier Hawk - Kruger Park

Grey Heron - Kruger Park

Lions - Kruger Park

Impala fighting - Kruger Park

Zebra and Wildebeest drinking - Kruger Park

Elephants - Kruger Park

Buffalo running in water - Kruger Park

Cheetahs - Big Cat Reserve

Male Elephant - Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah at sunset - Big Cat Reserve

Leopard at Sunrise - Big Cat Reserve

Ntombi - Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard - Big Cat Reserve

WILD4 Photo Safari to Kenya August 2011, SAMBURU, LAKE NAKURU and the MASAI MARA

2011-09-04T13:31:00.005+02:00

This years Kenya migration photo safari proved to be very productive and the three locations visited all offered a great variety of different opportunities and photographs.

Kenya's SAMBURU reserve was our first stop where we spent 4 nights and captured some of the more unique species found in Kenya.

Then it was a 2 night stay at LAKE NAKURU where the flamingos and pelicans provided great entertainment as well as a great Black Rhino and Rothschild giraffe sighting.

Finally we hit the MASAI MARA for the final 8 nights, in search of the famous river crossings. Our second day served up a crossing to remember, close to 2 hrs of wildbeest contstantly crossing the Mara river provided more than enough opportunities for both stills and video.

Other sightings in the Mara were plentiful, great sunsets, lion cubs, leopard and cheetah, elephant and the other Mara residents rounded off a fantastic trip.

A short movie trailer of each location is found below, before the photos from that location.

Enjoy . . .

Kind regards

Stu

SAMBURU RESERVE

Movie Trailer from SAMBURU RESERVE

Lions on Rocks, Samburu

Superb Starling, Samburu Reserve

Reticulated Giraffe fighting, Samburu Reserve

Male Gerenuk, Samburu

Grevy's Zebra, Samburu

Olive Baboon yawning, Samburu

Little Beeeaters, Samburu

Pale Chanting Goshawk, Samburu

Martial Eagle, Samburu

Beisa Oryx, Samburu

Elephant crossing the Nwaso Nyiro River in Samburu

Cheetah mum with her two big cubs, Samburu

Reticulated Giraffe, drinking, Samburu

Elephant, Samburu

Sunset, Samburu

LAKE NAKURU

Movie Trailer from LAKE NAKURU

Great white Pelican, Lake Nakuru

Marabou Stork, Lake Nakuru

Pelican, Lake Nakuru

Flamingos, Lake Nakuru

Grey Headed Gull, Lake Nakuru

Pelican flying through rainbow, Lake Nakuru

Pelicans, Lake Nakuru

Black Rhino, Lake Nakuru

Buffalo fighting, Lake Nakuru

Rothschild Giraffe, Lake Nakuru

Pelican Bathing, Lake Nakuru

Flamingo, Lake Nakuru

Pelicans, Lake Nakuru

Flamingos and rainbow, Lake Nakuru

MASAI MARA

Movie Trailer from Masai Mara

Topi, Masai Mara

Hyaena cubs, Masai Mara

Giraffe at sunset, Masai Mara

Black Backed Jackal, Masai Mara

Wildebeest motion, Masai Mara

Hippo and Wildebeest at a crossing, Masai Mara

Zebra swimming, Masai Mara

Elephant, Masai Mara

Impala at sunrise, Masai Mara

Wildebeest Croccing, Masai Mara

Wildebeest crossing, Masai Mara

Bull Elephant, Masai Mara

Lioness with wounded cheek, Masai Mara

leopard female and cub, Masai Mara

Starling, Masai Mara

Wildebeest heading towards the Mara River

Wildebeest crossing, Masai Mara

Lioness on termite mound, Masai Mara

Zebra, Masai Mara

Thompson's Gazelle running, Masai Mara

Male Leopard stalking, Masai Mara

Zebra and rainbow, Masai Mara

Sunrise, Masai Mara

Male Lion, Masai Mara

Topi fighting, Masai Mara

Lion cubs, Masai Mara

Sunset, Masai Mara

Cheetah, Masai Mara

Giraffe and Cheetah, Masai Mara

Impala males, Masai Mara

On safari in the Masai Mara

MIGRATION VIDEO

Movie Trailer of the Great Migration

TIMELAPSE VIDEOS FROM THE TRIP

Timelapse movies taken on the Photo Safari

WILD4 Best of Kruger Plus BIG CATS photo safari - AUGUST 2011

2011-08-16T22:28:00.000+02:00

As usual, August proved to be a busy month in the bush. The available water is getting less and less and the animals are congregating near the rivers and large dams. Predators are not far behind the big herds and this made for some interesting sightings.

Firstly, some sad news for all those folk that have met and photographed the 4 cheetahs at the Big Cat Reserve, Tequila, one of the females was run over in the car park in a freak accident and died shortly after. The two males, Floppy, Hunters and Ntombi the female are all still well though and the two males have been accepted by the female King Cheetah as she is on heat as I write this - holding thumbs.

The Kruger provided some real gems, a leopard dragging a kill up a tree and 16 Lion cubs on the S100 were some of the many amazing sightings.

Herewith, some photos from the last trip.

Enjoy !!

Look out for the next trip report which will be out of Kenya and the great migration.

Very best wishes to all

Stu

Leopard - Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah with Impala kill - Big Cat Reserve

Caracal - Big Cat Reserve

Water Thick Knee - Kruger National Park

White Crowned Lapwing - Kruger National Park

Female Leopard with Impala Kill - Kruger National Park

Male Leopard with Impala Kill - Kruger National Park

Yellow Billed Storks - Kruger National Park

Grey Heron - Kruger National Park

Female Common Waterbuck - Kruger National Park

Elephant in the Olifants River - Kruger National Park

Tawny Eagle - Kruger National Park

Black Collared Barbet - Kruger National Park

Lilac Breasted Roller - Kruger National Park

Purple Roller - Kruger National Park

Black Headed Oriole - Kruger National Park

WILD4 Safari Vehicle - Kruger National Park

Dongo the Wilddog - Big Cat Reserve

Caracal Jumping at Sunset - Big Cat Reserve

Jaco, Norman, Bhubesi - Big Cat Reserve

Ntombi - Big Cat Reserve

Hunters with the King Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

What do you see ?

Leopard at Sunrise - Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion and cub - Big Cat Reserve

Cape Vulture - Forest Lodge extension

Puff Adder - Forest Lodge extension

Sungazer Lizard - Forest Lodge extension

Snouted Cobra - Forest Lodge extension

LIONS & LEOPARDS Photo Safari July 2011 TRIP B

2011-07-25T13:30:00.001+02:00

The second Lions & Leopards Photo Safari for this year has just ended and here are some of the photos.

Locations visited were :

Big Cat Reserve - 3 nights
Gomo Gomo - 3 nights
Mala Mala - 3 nights
Kruger National Park - 4 nights at Satara Camp

These locations offer the best variety on offer from our South African photo safaris.

Many thanks again to Jaco, our ranger at the Big Cat Reserve, Ewan at Gomo and Yuri at Mala Mala.

A few of the highlights were:
- The Caracal at Sunset at the Big Cat Reserve
- The Lion pride at Gomo Gomo seen on every day, with the 4 cubs
- Following a female Leopard at Mala Mala for 5 hours
- two White Rhinos that ran next to our car in the Kruger National Park

Many thanks again to Murray, Jenny, Trevor and Maureen for joining us on safari - until the next time :)

Enjoy:)

Look out for the August Best of Kruger plus big cats photo safari coming soon.

Very best wishes from the wild4 team.

Stu

Cheetah in water - Big Cat Reserve

Leopard silhouette - Big Cat Reserve

Lion cub - Big Cat Reserve

Bhubesi the lion and his friend Norman

Caracal - Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion - Big Cat Reserve

White Headed Vulture - Big Cat Reserve

Cape Vulture and Lappet Faced Vulture - Big Cat Reserve

Cape Buffalo - Gomo Gomo

Male Lion - Kruger National Park

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Lioness & cub - Gomo Gomo

Impala silhouette - Mala Mala

Wildebeest motion - Kruger National Park

Bush fire - Kruger National Park

Male Lion - Mala Mala

White Rhino motion - Kruger National Park

Burchells Zebra - Kruger National Park

Juvenile African Harrier Hawk - Kruger National Park

Kori Bustard - Kruger National Park

Bushpig - Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Lappet Faced Vultures - Kruger National Park

Lion cubs - Mala Mala

Kudu Bull - Kruger National Park

King Cheetah motion - Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard - Mala Mala

Bull Elephant - Kruger National Park

Yellow Billed Stork pulling Crocodile's tail - Kruger National Park

Male Leopard - Kruger National Park

Grey Go-Away bird - Kruger National Park

Southern Giraffe - Kruger National Park

Bull Elephant - Kruger National Park

Southern Ground Hornbill - Kruger National Park

Male Common Waterbuck - Kruger National Park

Elephant Herd - Kruger National Park

White Fronted Bee eater - Kruger National Park

LIONS & LEOPARDS Photo Safari July 2011 TRIP A

2011-07-05T19:58:00.001+02:00

Just back from a fantastic June Photo Safari which took in all the best locations that we offer,
Kruger National Park, The Big Cat Reserve, Private Reserves, Gomo Gomo and Mala Mala as well as the 2 night Forest Lodge extension - this is the best variety on offer from our South African Photo safaris.

Many thanks to our Rangers, Jaco, Ewan and Kurt and the staff at all the locations for looking after us and helping to create a very memorable photo safari.

There were many highlights, but perhaps the top highlight was a male Leopard kill at Mala Mala. After suffocating the female Nyala antelope the male Leopard was robbed of his hard earned prize by 4 Hyaenas. He still managed to steal some of it back and we caught up with him in the super morning light finishing off his meal.

All the best from the WILD4 team, until next time.

Stu

Leopard, Kruger National Park

Burchell's Zebra, Kruger National Park

Cape Buffalo, Kruger National Park

Male Impala fighting, Kruger National Park

Lilac Breasted Roller, Kruger National Park

Cape Buffalo, Kruger National Park

White Rhino & Calf, Kruger National Park

Burchells Zebra, Kruger National Park

African Fish Eagle, Kruger National Park

Elephants, Kruger National Park

African Wilddog, Big Cat Reserve

Photographing the Cheetah at the Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

Cape Buffalo, Mala Mala

Male Lion and cub, Big Cat Reserve

Male Leopard, - Mala Mala

Red Billed Ox Peckers, Mala Mala

Male Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

Zebra, Mala Mala

Male Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion, Mala Mala

Leopard Cubs, Gomo Gomo

Sunrise, Gomo Gomo

Spotted Hyaena, Mala Mala

Lioness, Gomo Gomo

Caracal, Big Cat Reserve

Leopard cub, Mala Mala

Cheetah and crocodile, Big Cat Reserve

the "Team" , Toni, Anne and Jane

Leopard at sunset, Big Cat Reserve

Male Leopard with the Nyala kill, Mala Mala

Male Lion with Wildebeest Kill, Mala Mala

Spotted Hyaena that stole the Leopards kill, Mala Mala

Young male Kudu, Mala Mala

Vulture take off, Forest Lodge extension

Crocodile, Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion with wildebeest kill, Mala Mala

Vultures, Forest Lodge extension

Side Striped Jackal on kill, Mala Mala

White Backed Vulture, Forest Lodge extension

Tawny Eagle on wildebeest kill, Mala Mala

Marabou Storks, Forest Lodge extension

Burrowing Scorpion, Forest Lodge extension

Thick Tailed Scorpion, Forest Lodge extension

Black Mamba, Forest Lodge extension

Juvenile Boomslang, Forest Lodge extension

Veiled Chameleon, Forest Lodge extension

LEOPARDS OF MALA MALA Photo Safari - South Africa

2011-06-19T14:38:00.003+02:00

Mala Mala Game Reserve is considered the best place on earth to see & photograph Leopards in the wild and their impressive sightings record proves this.

On our June photo safari we spent 3 nights at Mala Mala and had a total of 6 different leopard sightings during our stay.

Of course not every sighting offers fantastic photo opportunities, but with 6 different sightings to choose from we did get some great photos.

The most impressive thing about these Leopards is that they are extremely relaxed with the safari vehicles which allows you to get really close to them and enjoy watching their behaviour from only a few meters away.

In my opinion there is no other place like it and if it is Leopards you want then Mala Mala is the answer.

The reserve is also extremely beautiful with varied lansdscapes, most impressive of all is the great Sand River that flows through the property. This offers a haven for many animals, not just Leopards.

Tours and dates for 2012 are already available so book now not to miss out on one of only 3 photographer spaces on a private safari vehicle, specially kitted out with photo platforms for each photographer. This allows for easy and comfortable shooting from an open safari vehicle - it is also the only system of its kind currently in use by a photo safari company. See the video section on the blog.

We look forward to welcoming you on one of our photo safaris to MALA MALA.

Warm regards

Stu

JUNE 2011 Photo Safari - Kruger, Mala Mala, Big Cat Reserve

2011-06-17T11:37:00.002+02:00

Many thanks to Slim & Barbara for making their 6th photo safari with WILD4 !!

What another super tailor made safari we had, broken down into 6 nights in the Kruger Park at Satara Camp, followed by 3 nights at MALA MALA where we had some of the best Leopard sightings yet !!, then back to Kruger for 4 nights at Bergendal in the south where we were lucky to watch how quickly vultures can devour a male Kudu - recorded time of 1 hr 30 mins - just bones were left.

Finally we spent 3 nights at the Big Cat Reserve where we enjoyed shooting the Cheetah, Leopard and a new Caracal !!

Many thanks to Kurt, our ranger at Mala Mala and Jaco, our ranger at the Big Cat Reserve, especially for arranging the Caracal shoot at sunset !!

All the very best to everyone and warm regards from the WILD4 team.

Next trip begins on Monday so look out for the June / July trip report to follow soon.

Cheers for now

Stu

Caracal at sunset - Big Cat Reserve

Zebra running, Satara, Kruger Park

Hyaena, Kruger National Park

Egyptian Goose, Kruger National Park

Male Greater Kudu, Kruger National Park

Impala drinking at Girivana, Kruger Park

Giraffe, Kruger Park

Kori Bustard, Kruger Park

Female Leopard, Mala Mala

Caracal jumping, Big Cat Reserve

Impala and Wildebeest, Kruger Park

Female Greater Kudu, Kruger Park

African Harrier Hawk, Kruger Park

Common Waterbuck drinking, Kruger Park

Sunrise, Kruger Park

Chacma Baboon, Kruger Park

Cheetah, Mala Mala

Burchell's Coucal, Kruger Park

African Hawk Eagle, Mala Mala

Female leopard, Mala Mala

Little Bee Eater, Kruger Park

Hippo, Big Cat Reserve

Marabou Stork, Kruger Park

Wooly Necked Stork, Kruger Park

Crocodile, Big Cat Reserve with off camera flash

Baboon being dive bombed by Blacksmith Lapwing, Kruger Park

Full Moon

Impala, Mala Mala

Male Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah stalking warthog in Kruger Park

Impala running, Mala Mala

Cheetah, Mala Mala

Lions drinking at night, Mala Mala

White Rhino and baby, Kruger Park

Mating Pair of Leopards, Mala Mala

Male Lion, Kruger Park

Black Crake, Kruger Park

Malachite Kingfisher, Kruger Park

White Backed Vultures, Kruger Park

Caracal, Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah, Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah's grooming, Mala Mala

Cheetah, Big Cat Reserve

Elephant and Fork Tailed Drongo

A rare White headed Vulture, Kruger Park

BEST of KRUGER plus BIG CATS photo safari May 2011

2011-05-27T10:45:00.000+02:00

Greetings to everyone. At last the photo season is underway, and here are some photos from the latest photo safari conducted in the Kruger National Park and at the Big Cat Reserve.

Next tour will include visits to the Kruger, the Big Cat Reserve and Mala Mala.

Best regards to all

Enjoy !!
The Wild4 Team....

Male Leopard - Big Cat Reserve with off camera flash

Female Leopard - Big Cat Reserve, with off camera flash

Vervet Monkey jumping - Kruger National Park

African Wilddog, Big Cat Reserve

Lion cub, Big Cat Reserve, with off camera flash

Giraffe drinking - Big Cat Reserve

One of the Lionesses in the pride of 14 seen on the Timbavati Road in Kruger Park

Elephants drinking at Kumana Dam, Kruger National Park

Pied Kingfisher at Sunset Dam, Kruger National Park

African Fish Eagle - Sunset Dam, Kruger National Park

On the road to Crocodile Bridge we spotted 8 Hyaena

Lilac Breasted Roller in flight, Kruger National Park

Red Billed Oxpeckers on Giraffe, Kruger Park

A rare White Headed Vulture, Kruger National Park

Chacma Baboon, Kruger National Park

Young female Impala, Kruger National Park

The Male Lion we saw mating near Crocodile Bridge in southern Kruger

Burchells Zebra drinking from one of the many water pans still with water, in Southern Kruger

White Rhino near Crocodile Bridge, Kruger

The Leopard cub we photographed near Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger Park

Purple Roller near Satara in Central Kruger Park

Male Greater Kudu on the S100 road near Satara

Barred Owl photographed near Satara in Kruger Park

Elephants drinking, photographed from the Sweni Bird Hide in central Kruger

Egyptian Goose, Sweni Bird Hide, Kruger Park

Black Backed Jackal near Satara

Wildebeest in early morning, on the S90 near Satara, Kruger Park

Swainson's Spurfowl near Satara, Kruger Park

Yellow Throated Longclaw, near Satara in central Kruger

Lioness yawning - Kruger National Park

New Lion Cub at Big Cat Reserve

2011-05-13T21:01:00.000+02:00

The first scheduled tour of the season starts on Saturday the 14th May and I will post a trip report at the end of the safari.

Once again we have had late rains and the bush is still very green and quite thick in some areas.

Exciting news for those visiting the Big Cat Reserve as part of the Kruger plus Big Cats Photo Safari and the Lions & Leopards of Mala Mala tours later in the year, is that there is a new male Lion cub, and some exciting opportunities for flash photography.

Here are some photos from my trip to the reserve a week ago.

Enjoy and best wishes to all,

Kind regards

Stu

The new Lion cub at 2 weeks old

Using the remote flash system. Two remote triggers and a Gorilla Pod are available

for hire on the safaris.

The multiple flash system I developed for the night shoot with the Leopards

This allows a flash for each photographer to be fired off camera, again making

use of the radio remote flash triggers

Some results from the night shoot with the leopard. For this shot two flashes were

used and fired at a 45 deg angle to the subject to eliminate eye shine

Another result from the leopard night shoot

Settings were ISO 400 f8 1/250sec with the flashes powered to 1/16 and extenders used

Phottix radio remotes

TANZANIA - recce trip for new WILD4 Photo Safari

2010-12-11T12:18:00.000+02:00

In late November I travelled to Tanzania to check out a few of their reserves with the idea of putting together a new photo safari to a new location.

I visited Lake Manyara which is a beautiful little reserve but I did not think it was worth going there for photography - personally I think that you can get better shots staying at Lake Nakuru in Kenya. There were a lot of flamingos on Lake Manyara - more than I have seen at Nakuru but they are so far away from the roads that they were not even worth a photo. The park is also famed for its tree climbing Lions and I am sure at some point you would come across them but only if you were extremely lucky and after many visits. Most of the park is very thick bush - even thicker than Kruger ! :)

I then headed to the Central Serengeti which for me was my most favourite. It is a beautiful park with varied landscapes and many many photo opportunities. You are a little more restricted to the roads in the Serengeti than you are in the Masai Mara (on the northern side of the river) but the place is very big and has an endless feel to it - much more so than the Masai Mara. In 5 days I saw 68 different Lions, 6 Cheetah and 4 Leopards, not all good for photography, but it is good to know that there are good populations of cats in the area.

The scenery in the central section if wonderful - cloud scapes with rocky Kopjes in the scene WOW - this is the place !! those of you who enjoy black & white & infra red - the Serengeti was made for you :)

I then visited the Ngorongoro Crater - it is definitely a unique place and certainly worth a visit although being restricted to the roads means that there is a good deal of luck involved to get great shots - we saw 13 Lions and a cheetah - but did not take a single photo of any of them - on that day they were just too far from the road. On another day it might be different.

It is a good place for scenic shots with the crater wall in the background and as I said certainly worth a visit on the way to the Serengeti. I would only spend 1 full day there though.

The trip idea I have in mind would be during late Jan / Early Feb, it is quite late for a 2011 trip but I will be offering the dates for anyone who is interested.

Jan / Feb is when the wildebeest and zebra give birth - mostly in the southern Serengeti, along with this comes great predator action and sightings. The trip then would be split between 4 nights in the central Serengeti to include the resident wildlife that inhabits this very scenic part of the reserve with its mountain backdrops and rocky Kopjes. Then we would move to the southern Serengeti for another 4 nights to witness the 1000's & 1000's of Wildebeest on the open grass plains.

Summary would be
1 night Arusha - arrival day
2 nights Sopa Lodge on the rim of the Crater
4 nights central Serengeti
4 nights southern Serengeti
fly from Serengeti back to Kilimanjaro for departure

Accommodation in Arusha and at the Crater will be in a lodge whilst accommodation in the Serengeti will be in comfortable Mobile Tented camps - both with en-suite toilet facilities and communal recharging area.

If anyone is interested in doing this photo safari in Jan / Feb 2011 please let me know as soon as possible. I will be posting more info and prices on my website soon.

Enjoy a selection of photos from the Serengeti & the Crater
Regards
Stu

Typical "Kopje" in Central Serengeti

Rain storm over the southern grass plains of the Serengeti

Zebra on the grass plains - Serengeti

Topi Silhouette, Serengeti

Herd of Zebra passing a Kopje

Pride of Lion walking across the Serengeti plains

Zebra

Cheetah

Masai Giraffe - Serengeti

Zebras running through water

Male Von Der Decken's Hornbill

Group of Lion cubs resting in the shade

Common Ostrich eating fruit

Zebra

Elephant

Helmeted Guinea fowl

Young male Leopard in central Serengeti

Lilac Breasted Roller

Male Lion and females - Serengeti

Coke's Hartebeest - Serengeti

Young Lion - Serengeti

Mobile Tented Camp in Central Serengeti

Mobile Tented Camp in central Serengeti

Lioness stalking

Lions on the open grasslands

Red and Yellow Barbet - Lake Manyara

Lioness on top of a Kopje - Serengeti

Lioness with cubs - Serengeti

Thompson's Gazelle running

Fischer's Lovebird - Serengeti

Serengeti Sunset

Secretary Bird

Coke's Hartebeest

Male Lion with baby Thompson's Gazelle

Male Lion with Thompson's Gazelle

Male Lion

Ngorongoro Crater

Cape Buffalo in the Crater

Ngorongoro Crater

KENYA PHOTO SAFARI - November 2010 Samburu Reserve, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara

2010-12-11T10:41:00.000+02:00

This years Kenya trip was extremely productive and all 3 parks that we visited offered different and varied landscapes as well as species and photo opportunities.
Weather wise we were extremely fortunate, it was not as wet as last years trip even though it was the time for the short rains.
There were still quite a few big herds of wildebeest around in the Mara and we were lucky to see 2 small crossings at the Mara River.

This trip is very popular and the 2011 spaces are almost sold out - please enquire as soon as possible if you were thinking of joining us on the November 2011 Kenya Photo Safari.

Enjoy!!
Warm regards
The Wild4 Team

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu Reserve

Herd of Elephant crossing the Nwaso Nyiro River in Samburu Reserve

Male Gerenuk - Samburu Reserve

Grevy's Zebra - Samburu Reserve

Beisa Oryx, Samburu Reserve

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu Reserve

The female Leopard we saw a number of times in Samburu Reserve

Young Elephant charging an unaware Baboon - Samburu Reserve

Large Spotted Genet - Samburu Reserve

Vulturine Guinea Fowl - Samburu Reserve

Elephants greeting each other - Samburu Reserve

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu Reserve

Tawny Eagle - Samburu Reserve

Elephant with fruit from a palm tree - Samburu Reserve

Female Leopard - Samburu Reserve

Spurwing Plover - Samburu Reserve

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu Reserve

Superb Starling - Samburu Reserve

Olive Baboon - Samburu Reserve

Flamingo - Lake Nakuru

Flamingo in the rain - Lake Nakuru

Flamingos at sunset - Lake Nakuru

Flamingos - Lake Nakuru

Sacred Ibis - Lake Nakuru

Pelican - Lake Nakuru

White Rhino - Lake Nakuru

Wildebeest crossing the Mara River - Masai Mara

Crowned Crane - Masai Mara

Cape Buffalo running - Masai Mara

James' Leopard - Masai Mara

Sunrise at Serena Lodge - Masai Mara

Topi fighting - Masai Mara

Black Chested Snake Eagle - Masai Mara

John's Black Rhino - Masai Mara

Cheetah - Masai Mara

Giraffe at sunrise - Masai Mara

Young Male Lion - Masai Mara

Serval Cat - Masai Mara

Giraffe resting - Masai Mara

Male Lion - Masai Mara

Martial Eagle with a White Tailed Mongoose - Masai Mara

Secretary Bird - Masai Mara

Topi looking out over the Masai Mara

Young Cheetah and baby Thompson's Gazelle - Masai Mara

Cheetah and Thompson's Gazelle - Masai Mara

OCTOBER 2010 Tailor Made Photo Safari, Kruger, Big Cats, Klaserie Reserve and Forest Lodge Vultures & Reptiles

2010-12-02T07:44:00.000+02:00

Here are a selection of photos taken on the October Photo Safari. This was a 21 day tailor made trip, and the sightings were great. These included 3 sightings of 3 different Wild Dog Packs in the Kruger National Park, several leopards including a female that stayed in the same area for 4 days, near Lower Sabie Camp, good Lion sightings and a cheetah chase and kill.

Enjoy !
Best wishes from the Wild 4 Team

African Wild Dog near Lower Sabie, Kruger National Park

Little Bee Eaters near Satara, Kruger National Park

Green Mamba, Forest Lodge Reptile Extension

Herd of Cape Buffalo, Kruger National Park

Caracal and Kitten, Big Cat Reserve

Flap Necked Chameleon, Reptile Extension

Cheetah running, Big Cat Reserve

Crocodile, Big Cat Reserve

Bull Elephant seen on the Satara 4x4 Trail, Kruger National Park

Giraffe near Satara, Kruger National Park

Green Wood Hoopoes, at nest, Klaserie Reserve

Red Billed Hornbill, Big Cat Reserve

Brown Hooded Kingfishers, Klaserie Reserve

Male Lion feeding on Buffalo carcass, Kruger National Park

Lioness at night in the Klaserie Reserve

Marabou Stork at Sunset, Forest Lodge

The female Leopard near Lower Sabie, Kruger National Park

Male Lion & cub, Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard near Transport Dam, Kruger National Park

Pygmy Kingfisher resting on the ground, Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion, yawning, Big Cat Reserve

Zebra yawning, Kruger National Park

Male Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

A rare sighting of a Serval in the Kruger National park

White Backed Vulture coming in to land, Forest Lodge

Female Nyala antelope, Forest Lodge

Wide angle of very friendly Zebra at Forest Lodge

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2010 Tailor Made Photo Safari trip report

2010-11-03T09:07:00.000+02:00

This trip was a tailor made photo safari which included the best mix of what we have to offer. 3 nights at the Big Cat Reserve, 4 nights at a Private Lodge and 4 nights in the Kruger National park which still proves to be the best location for general game as well as great bird photography.

Lesser Bush Baby - Klaserie Reserve

Chacma Baboons - Kruger National Park

Cape Honey Badger - Satara Camp, Kruger National Park

Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

Crocodile - Big Cat Reserve

Elephant herd drinking - Klaserie Reserve

Elephants - Kruger National Park

Small Spotted Genet - Klaserie Reserve

Elephants - Klaserie Reserve

Lion Pride - Klaserie Reserve

The two pride males in the Klaserie Reserve

Green Woodhoopoes - Klaserie Reserve - Gomo Gomo Lodge

Spotted Hyaena with Python Carcass - Kruger National park

Two male Impalas "allogrooming" - Kruger National Park

King Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

Male Leopard - Big Cat Reserve

Martial Eagle - Kruger National Park

Lilac Breasted Roller - Kruger National Park

Yellow Billed Stork - Kruger National Park

Sunset - Klaserie Reserve

Tawny Eagle - Klaserie Reserve

Female Common Waterbuck running - Kruger National park

KRUGER & BIG CATS September 2010 Photo report

2010-10-11T15:27:00.002+02:00

The September trip treated us with some great weather, a large bush fire, lots of animals drinking and Molly's first photo lesson on how to use a 500mm lens !!

Best wishes from the Wild4 Team.
Enjoy !

Male Lion - Big Cat Reserve

Male Lion & Cub - Big Cat Reserve

Lions on a Zebra Kill - Big Cat Reserve

White Rhino - Big Cat Reserve

White Rhino, Kruger Park

Lilac Breasted Roller, Kruger park

Female Leopard near Lower Sabie, Kruger Park ::

Photo COPYRIGHT Stefan Viljoen

Male Lion near Satara :: Photo COPYRIGHT Stefan Viljoen

Yellow Billed Stork, Kruger Park

Sunset, Kruger Park

Male Waterbuck, Kruger Park

African Wilddog, Big Cat Reserve

Burchell's Zebra, Kruger Park

Chacma Baboon, Kruger Park

White Rhino Calf eating a branch, Kruger Park

Cape Buffalo and Red Billed Ox Pecker, Kruger Park

Flap Necked Chameleon, Reptile Park

Cheetah on rock, Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah in tree, Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah Scent marking near Lower Sabie, Kruger Park

Baby Elephant near Satara, Kruger Park

Fire near Kruger Gate, Kruger Park

Giraffe drinking near Lower Sabie, Kruger Park

Hammerkops "stacking" Kruger Park

Spotted Hyaena and pups, Kruger Park

Giant Kingfisher, Kruger Park

Female Greater Kudu, Kruger park

Leopard, Big Cat Reserve

Female Leopard near Lower Sabie, Kruger Park

Photographer in Training - Molly Porter !!

KENYA MIGRATION Photo Safari plus Samburu & Lake Nakuru

2010-09-03T20:17:00.000+02:00

Here are some photos from the first WILD4 Photo Safari to Kenya during the migration season. Three locations were visited, Samburu Reserve in the dry north, Lake Nakuru to see 1000's of Flamingos and finally 7 nights in the Masai Mara to view the wildebeest crossing the Mara River.

Next years trip will be at the same time of year (Mid August) and there are only a few seats left so reserve your place now to avoid missing out on a truely magical wildlife spectacle.

Enjoy:)

Female Leopard at Samburu

Ewaso Nyiro River in Samburu

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu

Gerenuk Antelope - Samburu

Grant's Gazelle - Samburu

Waterbuck, Impala and the rare Grevy's Zebra - Samburu

Male Impala - Samburu

Oryx - Samburu

Reticulated Giraffe - Samburu

Samburu Lodge

Elephant - Samburu

Flamingos - Lake Nakuru

Lion Hill Lodge - Lake Nakuru

Flamingos, Pelican & Cormorants - Lake Nakuru

Flamingos, Lake Nakuru

White Rhino - Lake Nakuru

Rothchilds Giraffe - Lake Nakuru

Defassa Waterbuck - Lake Nakuru

Long Crested Eagle - Lake Nakuru

The Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara

Wildebeest crossing the Mara River

Mara River Crossing

Wildebeest jumping into the Mara River

Toyota Landcruiser used on all tours in Kenya

Ground Hornbill eating maggots from a dead Wildebeest

Spotted Hyaena and Wildebeest - Masai Mara

Lioness watching Wildebeest - Masai Mara

Herd of Topi Antelope - Masai Mara

Secretary Bird - Masai Mara

Male Lion - Masai Mara

Cape Buffalo - Masai Mara

Cheetah yawning - Masai Mara

Lioness with 3 cubs walking past Wildebeest herd

Mara Serena Lodge - Masai Mara

Lioness killing a Wildebeest - Masai Mara

White Backed & Ruppells Vultures - Masai Mara

Lioness cleaning her cub - Masai Mara

Wildebeest Running near the Mara River - Masai Mara

3 Cheetah Brothers - Masai Mara

Finally a short video of the trip from all 3 locations :)

BEST of KRUGER & BIG CATS photo safari - AUGUST 2010

2010-08-18T00:27:00.000+02:00

The August "Best of Kruger and Big Cats" Photo Safari has just ended and here is a selection of photos from the trip.
By far the most diverse safari yet with clients coming from Belgium, the UK, Australia, Norway and the USA !! We were treated to some fantastic sightings during our 10 night stay in the Kruger National Park, including 34 White Rhino and 11 Leopards !! As usual, the Big Cat Reserve served as an excellent training ground and the Lion, Leopard and Cheetah experiences and photo opportunities were outstanding.

The 2 night Forest Lodge extension proved once again to be a success - who said photographing Reptiles is not fun !! ?? :)

All the very best from the Wild4 team, until next time,

Cheers for now

Stu

Cheetah - Big Cat Reserve

White Rhino - Kruger National Park

African Wilddog - Kruger National Park

Tiger Snake - Reptile Park

Sungazer Lizard - Reptile Park

Male Leopard - Big Cat Reserve

Wildebeest Running - Kruger National Park

Cape Buffalo - Big Cat Reserve

Two Male Elephant - Kruger National Park

A very rare Narina Trogon - Forest Lodge

Green Mamba - Reptile Park

Male Leopard - Big Cat Reserve

White Backed Vulture landing - Forest Lodge

Vervet Monkey - Kruger National Park

Dwarf Chameleon - Reptile Park

Mozambique Spitting Cobra - Reptile Park

Saddle Billed Stork, Kruger National Park

Female Leopard - Kruger National Park

Lilac Breasted Roller in flight - Kruger National park

Male Lion & cub - Big Cat Reserve

Black Mamba - Reptile Park

Marabou Storks fighting - Forest Lodge

Cheetah jumping - Big Cat Reserve

Tailor Made Photo Safari JULY 2010

2010-07-27T21:08:00.001+02:00

Here is a selection of photos from the July photo safari, a tailor made trip which included a visit to the Kruger National Park and the Klaserie Reserve.

Enjoy

Best wishes

Stu

Tawny Eagle near Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park

Elephants - Kruger Park

Burchell's Coucal - Kruger Park

Cheetah brothers near Duke Waterhole - Kruger Park

Elephant at sunset - Kruger Park

Hammerkop in flight - Kruger Park

Hippo - Kruger Park

Mating Honey Badgers inside Satara Camp - Kruger Park

African Hoopoe - Satara Camp, Kruger Park

Male Kudu drinking - Kruger Park

Running Kudu - Kruger Park

Lions - Kruger Park

Martial Eagle - Kruger Park

Aloes in Lower Sabie Camp - Kruger Park

Male Ostrich and Hyaena - Kruger Park

White Rhino - Kruger Park

A rare herd of Sable Antelope - Kruger Park

Blue Wildebeest running - Kruger Park

Wooly Necked Stork - Kruger Park

Zebra dust bathing - Kruger Park

Verreaux's Eagle Owl - Klaserie Reserve

Young Male Cheetah - Klaserie Reserve

Elephant Herd drinking - Klaserie Reserve

African Hawk Eagle - Klaserie Reserve

Spotted Hyaena with Baboon kill - Klaserie Reserve

on safari - Klaserie Reserve

Purple Roller - Klaserie Reserve

Female Leopard with Impala kill - Klaserie Reserve

Female Leopard - Klaserie Reserve

LIONS & Leopards Photo Safari - June / July 2010

2010-07-08T22:52:00.000+02:00

Here are a few photos from the "Lions & Leopards of the Klaserie & Timbavati" photo safari.

Two participants also did the two night Forest Lodge extension to photograph the vultures and african reptiles.

Client photos will follow shortly :)

The 3 nights spent at the Big Cat Reserve provided great photo opportunities of Lion, Leopard and Cheetah and an excellent introduction to the trip. Photo skills and techniques were put to the test, and by the end of the 4 days everyone was ready to put their panning, night photography, flash, timelapse and manual shooting methods into practice on the second part of the safari.

The 6 nights at Gomo Gomo Lodge in the Klaserie, part of the greater Kruger Park, provided excellent and numerous Elephant & Buffalo sightings. Elephants drank every day at the waterhole right in front of the lodge where we photographed them from the comfort of our chairs. We spent time with 2 White Rhinos in lovely morning light. The Lion pride was deep in thick bush, most likely enjoying a buffalo kill but we did manage to locate one of the pride males which we spent a wonderful 2 hours with as he patrolled his territory, marked bushes and roared to locate the rest of his pride.

We had two excellent Leopard sightings, the first of which was spent with a male leopard as he tried to get a Goshawk to drop its fresh spurfowl kill, and in the end the Leopard suceeded. Whilst shooting the sunrise one morning we heard a group of Kudu giving an alarm call and our investigation found a female leopard with a fresh Impala kill. Her shy cub lurked in the back ground as she ate some of the kill before dragging it to the safety of a small drainage line.

Many thanks to the Gomo staff and to Johan our ranger and Geoff our tracker.

Apart from the great sightings on the trip I am very pleased to announce that the specialized photographic shooting platforms proved to be very succesful and we will be making use of them on all future photo trips to Gomo Gomo. See the video below.

Enjoy !
Until next time
Stu

Flapnecked Chameleon

Puff Adder

Black Mamba

Cape Vulture

White Backed Vultures

Hooded Vulture & Marabou Stork

Male Lion drinking - Big Cat Reserve

Leopards - Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah running - Big Cat Reserve

Cheetah drinking - Big Cat Reserve

Caracal - Big Cat Reserve

Porcupines - Big Cat Reserve

Hooded Vultures fighting - Big Cat Reserve

Gomo Gomo Safari Vehicle at sunset

Male Kudu jumping over road - Klaserie Reserve

Cape Buffalo - Klaserie Reserve

Photographing Elephants from Gomo Gomo Lodge

Burchells Zebra

Charging Hippo - Klaserie Reserve

Dinner at Gomo Gomo

Cape Buffalo - Klaserie Reserve

A rare African Wildcat - Klaserie Reserve

Male Impala - Klaserie Reserve

White Rhino - Klaserie Reserve

The Male Leopard trying to steal the Goshawks meal

Female Leopard with Impala Kill

One of the pride males

Male Lion yawning

Sunrise in the Klaserie

Gomo Gomo vehicle

The special photo platforms used for shooting from the Gomo Gomo Vehicle

Big Cat Reserve June 2010

2010-06-23T10:21:00.000+02:00

Here are some of the latest photos from the Big Cat Reserve.

We had a fantastic sighting of two Honey Badgers that were determined to dig up what we think was a bee hive inside a termite mound. We spent over 40 mins observing them which for a Honey Badger sighting is VERY long !! in the end we had to leave them as they continued on their mission - usually it is the Honey Badger that leaves a Honey Badger sighting !! :)

The Badger clearly did not want to put his head into the hole and prefered to bend himself in half and dig with his paws to keep his head away from the bees.

Enjoy !!

The Lions were in mating mode - the male here in the flehmen grimace

Dongo the Wilddog

Red Billed Hornbill in flight

Cheetah chasing

Female leopard falling out the marula tree

Client Photographs - Sharron Franks - May 2010

2010-06-08T11:35:00.000+02:00

Here are a few photos taken by Sharron on the May 2010 Photo Safari.

Many thanks Sharron !

White Backed Vulture Silhouette

Three Banded Plover

Male & Female Lion

Golden Orb Web Spider

Black Mamba

Martial Eagle

May 2010 Photo Safaris - a selection of images

2010-05-25T13:38:00.000+02:00

The heavy rains at the end of April certainly had an effect on the condition of the bush and the May Safaris produced an unusual collection of photographs with lush green backgrounds. Southern Kruger was particulary green but central Kruger around Satara Camp was more typical of this time of year with the grass turning yellow as Autumn sets in.

Cheetah at Big Cat Reserve

Hippos at Sunset Dam, Kruger Park

Elephants fighting at Nsemani Dam near Satara

Chameleon feeding, Reptile Park

Lilac Breasted Roller in flight, Kruger Park

Leopard in an Apple Leaf Tree on the Timbavati River, Kruger Park

Lioness on the S100 near Satara, Kruger Park

Lioness in tree, Kruger Park

Marabou Stork at Sunset, Forest Lodge Extension

Flat Rock Scorpion under ultra violet light, Reptile Park

African Wilddog, Big Cat Reserve

Swainson's Spur Fowl, Kruger Park

Common Waterbuck family, Kruger Park

Yellow Billed Stork with fish, Kruger Park

Bateleur Eagle Eating Terrapin, Kruger Park

Yellow Billed Hornbills, Kruger Park

Running Zebra, Kruger Park

A very Rainy April

2010-04-24T15:51:00.000+02:00

Usually by this time of year the amount of rain has decreased as the year begins to roll into Autumn. However this years rainy season was out of sync, not much during Feb & March and then in April the heavens decided to open up. This is of course good news for the animals as they would have struggled more than usual, come late October.

However the rains have brough fresh new growth and parts of Southern Kruger are thicker than ever. Particularly in the south and south western parts - tall thatching grass in these areas will make game viewing more challenging. I am sure that on the first safaris of the season we will be exploring more to the east to stay away from the thick growth.

First up are two trips, back to back, beginning today. I hope to be able to update from somewhere in Kruger with an in the field report of current conditions and sightings. - Stay Tuned !!

Regards

Stu

Something different !!

2010-03-30T11:34:00.002+02:00

During March we visited a few of South Africa's other National Parks and wanted to share some info on them as far as photography goes and some photos of the species found there.

Karoo National Park near Beaufort West in the Cape was our first stop - beautiful park, rugged and dry with a few very scenic drives. Stunning night skies - but not so productive from a wildlife photography point of view.

Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock in the Cape - by far our most favourite of the three parks we visited. Absolutely stunning mountain views, a good deal of wildlife and quite easy to photograph. Some good opportunities here !! There are 24 cheetah in this park but sadly we did not get to see any. They would make for some great photos on the open grasslands with mountain scenery all around - maybe next time !!
Excellent for Black Wildebeest and Mountain Zebra.

Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth - a nice big park which is expanding all the time, good news for conservation !!
There are different sections of the park, with different access points. We stayed at the main camp / wildlife viewing area. A good road network of roads but the vegetation is not friendly to photography - scrubby Spek Boom everywhere !! and not much else. Some open patches which used to be farm fields - still look like cleared areas, not so natural looking. Good opportunities for photographing herds of elephants, but not much else. There are Lion in the park but we did not get to see them.

It was lovely to see these parks, but for wildlife photography Kruger is still tops !! the variety is unrivalled !!

Here are some of the different species we photographed on the trip - not found in Kruger - it was great to see and photograph these !

Gemsbok or Oryx

Springbok

Red Hartebeest

Black Wildebeest - endemic to Southern Africa

Ground Squirrel - larger than the lowveld tree squirrel

the Endangered Cape Mountain Zebra - more compact stripes and all the way down the legs.

Black Wildebeest in the Mountain Zebra National Park

New Look - New Safaris !!

2010-02-15T23:42:00.000+02:00

Along with our new look website, we have also launched a few new itineraries. Take a look at the websites PHOTO SAFARIS page for more details.

There is very little space left on the Kruger Safaris for this year (2010) and the first November trip to the Masai Mara with extension has SOLD OUT.

Cheers for now

Stu

WILD4 PHOTO SAFARIS page

Savanna, the Legend

2010-02-15T23:11:00.001+02:00

I wanted to pass on the sad news to everyone who has been to the Big Cat Reserve and photographed that beautiful cat - Savanna.

Savanna and her cubs were released late last year and were doing well out in the reserve. In December we photographed them all at an Impala kill. Many thanks to David for climbing the closest Marula tree to get an unusual photo from above :) !

Unfortunately they must have come across the Lions on the reserve and Savanna died trying to defend her cubs. The cubs made it back to the lodge.

She will surely be missed by all who came into contact with her and especially those who had the unique opportunity to photograph her.

LAUNCH OF THE NEW WILD4 WEBSITE AND BLOG

2010-02-07T12:26:00.004+02:00

Dear all,
Welcome to the WILD4 Blog !

The new Blog will offer all the latest up to date news about our photo safaris and will introduce newly added itineraries as and when these become available.

The Blog will also offer the latest availability on upcoming tours and will host the trip reports and video clips from completed safaris.

Interesting sightings and photographs will also be posted on a regular basis all of which will be archived on the Blog.

Here's wishing you all the very best for a wonderful year.

Kind regards

Stu, Justyna & Molly !