Watch Thanda’s herd of Elephants having a bath at Mgankla Dam. The Thanda guests enjoyed observing these gentle giants playing with Water and Mud!
Let’s have a drink together!
We are very grateful at Thanda for last summer’s heavy rain falls, which have ensured that our main waterholes still have water for our animals at the end of this winter (dry season).
Thanda guests enjoyed watching our two largest Elephant bulls having a drink together at one of largest dams. Last year at the same time this “bar” would have been closed already for the rest of the winter 🙂
Working together …
To help and protect Rhinos and other species on the reserve, Thanda Private Game Reserve is working together with WILDCON Safaris and Events – www.wildconevents.co.za.
WILDCON provides the funding for conservation events. In this darting operation a young male Square-lidded Rhinoceros is being marked for identification, DNA sample are being collected and a complete health check is performed.
WILDCON’s clients actively participate in such operations and become an active part of wildlife conservation. Their involvement makes these operations possible.
If you are interested to participate in a Thanda Conservation Event contact wildlife@thanda.com.
BIRDS – Brown-hooded Kingfisher
One of the Thanda guests was very surprised when this Brown-hooded Kingfisher did not fly off when we approach but kept sitting on its branch almost to “touching-distance”.
These small birds are usually not to tolerant to vehicle approaches, but this specimen did not care. Thanks for the great photo opportunity :-).
Experience and Youth!
When this Lion mum was watching a few approaching Zebras she was “frozen” whenever the Zebras looked in her direction. Her daughter imitated mum and was very still as well. Her brother on the other hand was moving around behind them and alarmed the Zebras. Boys will be boys – No dinner this time!
The Thanda guests on my vehicle enjoyed this display of experience and youth!
A Big Five Sighting :-)
One of the youngest Thanda guests provided a “Big Five Sighting” at yesterday’s drink stop at sun down. The guests enjoyed their drinks watching the beautiful Thanda scenery in the presence of Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo 🙂
On the way back to the lodge we spotted a real Leopard. Having the fluffy “Big Five” on board brought us luck!
Ivory!
Protect them! … no further comment …
Evening Drinks!
This afternoon we followed a few of Thanda’s White Rhino on there way to a waterhole. The guest on my vehicles enjoyed watching these large creatures “filling up” before they went back to grassing on the savanna. This was a perfect ending for a game drive that started with rutting Impalas and a pride of Lions at another waterhole.
BIRDS – Green-winged Pytilia
Another BIRD series image: A Green-winged Pytilia (Melba Finch). This picture was taken at Thanda Private Game Reserve on 15 August 2013.
Amazing Elephants
Today’s Elephant sighting on Thanda was one of my best sightings ever.
We watched the Thanda breeding herd of Elephant and a few bulls for a long time. These amazing creatures ignored us while they were feeding and sparring around us.
There will be more posts from this sighting – too many great images for just one message 🙂
This first image is of one of the largest bulls on Thanda.
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 