This Buffalo cow enjoyed her “tick cleaning treatment” given by the Red-billed Oxpeckers. The small birds live in a symbiotic relationship with the large ruminants. The Buffalo provide the ticks and the Oxpeckers the relief.
Cheetah calling!
This male Cheetah was vocalizing to call his brother.
If you want to hear what it sounds go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtG9Xhqzcf8.
Have a good week!
Mother and Daughter!
This White Rhino mum and her daughter were grazing in between a herd of Impala after a recent mud bath. They came very close to our vehicle which did not bother them at all. We had a great game drive!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the USA (and any other country that celebrates this holiday). I hope all of you have a great day.
The closest I could find to a turkey here in South Africa was a Guinea Fowl. So I included a picture of this species with today’s message.
Crossing the Savanna
Thanda’s breeding herd of Elephant was crossing the savanna to get to a waterhole to drink and bath. These are a few black and white images I took at this beautiful sighting.
Summer time = Baby time :-)
A lot of animals have their babies arrive early in the rainy season (summer). This picture is of a small Zebra foal that was born in the last few days.
We also have many small Impalas. All of them were born in the last few days.
Enjoy your week!
Jump off the treadmill!
I did it already 🙂 – Watch this video produced by a Swedish travel company for a “ranger for a while” competition on Thanda.
Truman Ndlovu, Head Guide at Thanda Private Game Reserve, is one of the judges for this exciting competition launch by the Swedish travel company SYDAFRIKARESOR.
In this video Truman introduces the competition and the beauty of Thanda.
To compete go to hoppaavekorrhjulet.se (the site is in Swedish).
Please share this video on Facebook – Thanks
Back at Thanda!
This time my “seven-day-weekend” was over very quickly. I got quite a bit of photography done at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, but I will have to go back soon to finish up the job – I am looking forward to it.
The image below is one of my favorite pictures I took today (www.pakamisa.co.za). Pakamisa’s owner Isabella Stepski – on one of her horses – got very close to this Giraffe bull. He was quite relaxed being viewed from horseback.
A few days away was great, but I am also looking forward to driving again on Thanda.
Have a good weekend!
Close on Horse!
It is hard to believe to see how close the riders can get to Giraffe, Zebra and many other antelopes on Pakamisa Game Reserve.
I am spending three days of my “off time” at the reserve taking images of the lodge, the reserve and the beautiful horses on their game trails.
For me it is the second time on Pakamisa, but I certainly will be back. Horseback safaris are a great addition to a South African safari experience as they provide very close encounters in an area without dangerous game.
Have a look at Pakamisa’s website: http://www.pakamisa.co.za
PS: Unfortunately I cannot ride the Arab Horses at Pakamisa 😦 My portly figure is a bit to heavy for these beautiful creatures :-), so I took these pictures from a game vehicle.
Qualified :-)
I am now a qualified “Backup Trails Guide”. I have just received the certificate from FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa).
I have also passed my “Advanced Rifle Handling” course and once my rifle competency is registered with the South African Police I can start walking with clients in areas with “potential dangerous game”
The next step is to log another hundred hours of walking and another fifty encounters before I can be assessed as Lead Trails Guide. This will take quite a while.
Have a good week – mine is already very good 🙂
PS: The picture shows me walking as Trails Guide during my recent course – Picture: Craig Fitt – Thanks
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 