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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THE DAILY POST – THE MIGHTY BUFFALO BY ROOT

This is the seventh video with music from the album ‘Under the Marula Tree’ by ROOT, a local band. It features some of my pictures and videos taken at Thanda Safari.

The music is composed to symbolize African nature icons (eg sunrises, Lions, Elephants, …). This very special album is available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Deezer for streaming and download! https://root.hearnow.com/

All ROOT videos are available on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMXQv3FdJsIERJHHKt0rX2w

Enjoy The Mighty Buffalo 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

#rootunderthemarulatree

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THE EVENING POST – FAVORITES

From the archives: This is one of my favorite Lion images taken in 2004. Enjoy your evening 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

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THANDA SAFARI JERUSALEMA CHALLENGE

The Thanda Safari Jerusalema Dance Challenge video has been posted on all Social Media platforms. This is a link to the video. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun to put this together. Enjoy the show.

https://youtu.be/hx-hTmRnN_c

THANDA SAFARI JERUSALEMA CHALLENGE

We responded to this challenge to spread the positive and energetic vibe and spirit of our incredible staff, 90% of whom are Zulu and who come from neighbouring communities and KwaZulu-Natal.

We wish to remind the world that in spite of the tragic global COVID-19 Pandemic crisis and turmoil that has gripped humankind and sadly caused the loss of life of family and friends as well as livelihoods, nature has remained oblivious and unaffected, as it has always been for eternity.

This video is dedicated to celebrating nature and all of the conservation efforts of our remarkable industry, that at a time of madness, suffering and pain, that we can always escape and experience nature that rejuvenates the mind and nourishes the soul.

SIYA THANDA WENA!

#jerusalemachallenge #jerusalema #jerusalemadancechallenge

#Thandasafari @thandasafari

#christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

Ideas and organization by Pierre Delvaux and Promise Hlongwane

Direction, videography, editing and production by Christian Sperka Photography

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THE MORNING POST – IT’S TIME AGAIN …

I thought it is time again to share one of my favorite Leopard pictured from my archive. I took this picture 16 years ago. The world has changed a lot since then but these cats have not:

Powerful, Beautiful and Elusive!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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THE EVENING POST – MUD

A bit of mud on the horns makes one look so much more impressive 😊

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

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JERUSALEMA DANCE CHALLENGE 2020 | THE THANDA SAFARI FAMILY | TEASER

https://youtu.be/rt3utQfT5xw

Many of you might have heard of the worldwide YouTube dance challenge using the Jerusalema song produced by Master KG featuring Nomcebo Zikode.

The Thanda Safari staff took up the challenge to create some special dance videos expressing their support for the conservation message in this song.

I produced the videos. Director, Videographer, Editor and Producer – all in one 😊

Stay tuned for a week of music, dance and the Thanda spirit…

#jerusalemachallenge #jerusalema #jerusalemadancechallenge

#Thandasafari @thandasafari

#christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography

Ideas and organization by Pierre Delvaux and Promise Hlongwane

Direction, videography, editing and production by Christian Sperka

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THE MORNING POST – WINTER TIME AND 118 BIRDS

This week I hosted two very serious birders from Pretoria, Annelize and Gerhard, who have currently 608 birds on their life list. Gerhard also enjoys his bird photography very much.

They stayed for four nights at the Thanda Safari Lodge and had booked the Green Mamba 1, my Photographic Safari Vehicle, for their stay.

Having a private safari vehicle gave them the freedom to shape their own schedule which included all morning birding drives, a night safari and 2-hour sessions at various Thanda Safari birding-hotspots. We even added an excursion to the kuMasinga hide at Mkuze Game Reserve, which is one of the most productive bird hides in the country.

Annelize and Gerhard were very happy with the 118 bird sightings which they were able to note on the Thanda Safari bird cecklist. This was especially impressive as most of the Summer birds have not arrived yet back on Thanda.

The beautiful and comfortable surroundings of the Thanda Safari Lodge, the excellent cuisine and the great dangerous game and general game sightings made this the perfect place for their first getaway after the long lockdown period.

These are five collages illustrating the various facets of their highly enjoyable stay.

They will be back, soon!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari @thandasafari

#GreenMamba1

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