Three of my young guests at Thanda over Christmas and New Year took up birding as a new hobby during their stay.
They became very enthusiastic about it, and their families named them lovingly “The Birdy Nerdies.”
Over the last few days, their birding life list grew from 0 to over 150 species, which we spotted together at Thanda Safari and on the St Lucia Estuary boat ride.
My tracker (and birding specialist) Bheki and I very much enjoyed introducing them to birdwatching at Thanda Safari.
We had some great sightings together (see collage), including my ‘Bird Picture of the Year 2025’ of a Gorgeous Bush-Shrike.
Just send me a message if you are interested in birding with Bheki and me at Thanda Safari.
…refers to mature, solitary male African buffalo who are known for their frequent mud wallowing habits. The term is thought to be derived from the Shona word “dugga,” which translates to mud.
These bulls are frequently ill-tempered and may pose a threat, particularly if agitated. They are a familiar sight on Thanda, often seen near waterholes or mud puddles.
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Main Camera 24mm | ISO 64 | 1/1500sec | f1.8 | ev+0 | 80mm
Pictures from the last 14 days taken at Thanda and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. My last few weeks were very busy, but they were also very productive for wildlife photography!
The area behind one of the dams at Thanda has turned into a temporary wetland, after all the rain we had over the last two months.
I hope you will enjoy this short video showing its beauty with many different bird species. Some of them are aquatic birds, which have never been recorded at Thanda before.
… on Thanda is definitely a place we call ‘The Savanna’. It is an open area in the North of the reserve which incorporates two waterholes and is crossed by one of Thanda’s major roads.
These are nine pictures I took on the savanna just in the last two weeks.
Enjoy this heaven for wildlife photographer!
A Umbrella Thorn Tree at sunrise on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 250 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+1 | 150mm | WB 6500K
At the savanna mud hole at sunrise
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Ultra Wide Camera 13mm
Lilac-breasted Roller perching next to Solela dam on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 4000 | 1/500sec | ev+/-0 | WB 6500K
A dazzle of Burchell’s Zebra moving across the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 320 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 140mm | WB 6500K
Golden light on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+1 | 32mm | WB6500
Lioness walking down the savanna main road called Phakama
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K
A crash of White Rhinoceros at Mgankla dam on the eastern side of the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1600 | 1/3000sec | f4.5 | ev+0 | 60mm | WB 6500K
A Burchell’s Zebra stallion flehmen on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 500 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+0.5 | 130mm | WB 6500K
A South African Giraffe bull at sunset on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 800 | 1/750sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 24mm | WB 6500K
… and this is a drone picture of the savanna (DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro)
When Margaret and Mike arrived at Thanda Safari twelve years ago, they met a field guide of German descent who had just started working as a guide on the reserve: Me!
And Bheki (Nbumvo), a very experienced tracker, had just started working with me, and he still does today.
Margaret and Mike enjoyed their 2013 safari very much before they returned to their home in Australia. Over the next 12 years, they followed my wildlife photography career on social media, and from time to time we exchanged messages about their intention to return to Thanda someday.
To Bheki’s and my great pleasure, they arrived last week for a four-night stay at Thanda Safari Lodge, together with their daughter Hallie and her husband Michael.
Using the Green Mamba II, we embarked on many game drives on the reserve, enjoyed morning cappuccino from the bush barista (=me), and ended the days with a Zululand pineapple gin & tonics as the sun set. And one of these drinks stops was even interrupted by large White Rhino bull, which led to a speedy retreat onto the vehicle.
I took many pictures during their stay, which they received as a reminder of all we had seen and done. A few of these images are published with this story.
This return visit after 4367 days was very special for Bheki and me. Thanks again to Margaret, Hallie, Mike, and Michael for their friendship. We will certainly continue to stay in touch!
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 