Author: Christian Sperka

Christian Sperka is a wildlife photographer based at Thanda Private Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Over the last 11 years, Christian has traveled the world photographing animals in wild game reserves of South Africa and Namibia, the jungles of Costa Rica, in Yellowstone National Park in the USA, as well as zoos in Europe and the United States. His work has been featured in wildlife magazines, in books and in many zoo publications. He actively supports wild cat conservation, working as a partner photographer for Panthera, the world's leading organization devoted to the conservation of all wild cat species (panthera.org). From 2009 to 2012 he has worked as the official photographer and photography teacher at Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Tennessee, USA (nashvillezoo.org). Christian is also a qualified South African field guide. He now works as specialist photography guide on Thanda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa (thanda.com).
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Very Big Five!

Cape Buffalo are one of the Big Five, which are the most difficult and dangerous five species to hunt on foot.

And many would argue that Buffalos are most dangerous of them all!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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WHERE IS THE TAIL?

New baby Lions at Thanda Safari – during last night’s game drive.

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Thanda Safari Wedding

An amazing bit of ‘very special normality’ in all of this ‘too common madness’:

A fabulous Thanda Safari Wedding!

Stacey and Michael said ‘yes’ in the middle of the Zululand wilderness.

Congratulations!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari #flynnsbegin

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THE KING

In the language of the Zulus the words for ‘King’ and for a ‘male Lion’ are one and the same: iNgonyama

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Hard Work

Some species of Dung Beetles can bury dung up to 250 times their own mass in one night!

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Night Drive

It is very exciting when Lions pass a safari vehicle during a night drive.

The cats are used to this passing in the night, but for first time safari guests it is an incredible experience!

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Thirsty!

A Thanda Safari Elephant herd on its way to a waterhole!

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Landing!

An Egyptian Goose was landing in front of two of our Elephant bulls as they were having a morning drink stop at a waterhole.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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The Big Five in one drive!

We went on game drive this afternoon to find Elephants, but we got much more. As we left the Thanda Safari Lodge we encountered two male Lions and when we stopped to watch a few Warthogs and Impalas we spotted a large male Leopard hunting. After this very special encounter we continued on our Elephant quest and almost immediately ran into a White Rhino. And towards the end of the drive we finally found the long-noses.

What a day! The Big Five on one drive.

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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