My first week back at Thanda in wildlife pictures. What a wonderful world!
My week …
Quiet Moment
At the end of the game drive, I like to stop for a few moments just to listen to the sounds of the bush and to watch the moon rise.
Yesterday evening, a full moon rose over the horizon and then disappeared behind a band of clouds. It created this magnificent effect, which I was able to capture with my smartphone.
Whenever I watch one of these scenes, I fully understand the value of visiting (or living in) a beautiful place like Thanda Safari.
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Main Camera 24mm | ISO 2500 | 3.4sec night mode | f1.8 | ev-1.0 | 24mm
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Thanda Sky
On my way to pick up my guests, I took this picture of the incredibly beautiful sky over Thanda this morning.
The pair of Wahlberg’s Eagles in the tree is nesting close to my home as they do every year. I hope you had a good start into 2025.
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Main Camera 24mm | ISO 80 | 1/1500sec | f1.8 | ev+0
The Green Mamba is back!
https://sperka.info/the-green-mamba-ii/
After almost two years without a dedicated photography game viewing vehicle, I am happy to announce that the new Green Mamba II is now in service.
My sincere thanks to Thanda Safari management for making this joint venture possible.
The expertly converted Toyota Land Cruiser has all the extra features of the retired Green Mamba and some new ones. She is now available to photographers or guests who would like to experience truly luxurious private game drives. As guide and photographer I will not only conduct the private safaris but also provide pictures of all sightings to my guests as part of this special service.
All the details about this exceptional vehicle are available at https://sperka.info/the-green-mamba-ii/
If you will be staying as a guest at Thanda Safari and you are interested in driving with me on the Green Mamba II during your stay, please contact Thanda at reservations@thanda.co.za.
If you have any questions about the new vehicle or my services, you can contact me via WhatsApp at +27633294323.
#TheGreenMamba #amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
A Christmas Day Sunset
When I returned to Thanda Safari from Pakamisa in the late afternoon, I decided to watch the sunset from my favorite spot at one of our largest waterholes.
After two very enjoyable days with friends, I experienced this beautiful scene under heavy rain clouds.
I hope you had a good Christmas Day and I wish you a relaxing Boxing Day (Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag).
A week!
Some of my favorite images from the last week. I hope you will enjoy them.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
In just one day!
It took all these pictures today on Thanda. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much I enjoyed taking them.
Have a good weekend!
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Jumeirah Thanda Safari
As of today the Jumeirah Group, a globally renowned luxury hospitality brand, has taken over the management of Thanda Safari and Thanda Island (as announced today by the Thanda Group CEO in an open letter to our guests).
I will continue to live at Thanda House and I will continue to offer my photographic services to guests at both Jumeirah Thanda Safari and The Royal Thanda Club.
Until mid 2025 the Thanda Safari Lodge and the Thanda Tented Camp will still be managed by the Thanda Group. All existing and future bookings will be honored.
The Thanda Group will retain ownership of the business and continue to oversee the reserve and wildlife management, as well as all the philanthropic programmes. I will remain part of the Thanda organization.
Exciting changes ahead 😊
Have a look at Jumeirah Thanda Safari on the Jumeirah group website (with one of my Lion pictures as the lead image).
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/south-africa/jumeirah-thanda-safari
Canon on Eye-Level: Friends or Foe?
The lives of male lions are difficult!
They start in life by being looked after very well by their mothers and other female family members until they reach two to three years of age.
Once their father has driven them away (to avoid adult male competition), they now have to fend for themselves. They have to hunt for themselves and avoid encounters with any dominant or territorial males.
Only one out of ten ever gets to take over a territory (and its prides) once they are grown adults. All others perish in the process.
Sometimes brothers from the same litter stay together through this process and form what is called a ‘male coalition’.
Or they meet one or more unrelated young males during their growing-up period and form such a coalition.
They will then move around together, hunt together, and protect one another from dangers. They will also fight other males on the way to the top together.
If they are strong enough and lucky enough, they will replace another male (or another coalition) as dominant males in a territory.
And this is when the trouble starts…
Once they encounter a female in estrus, they will usually fight one another for the right to mate (to propagate their own genes).
If one of them is significantly stronger than the other(s), then the fight is over quickly, and the submissive male(s) back off to let the dominant coalition partner mate with the female.
Once the mating period is over (usually after a few days), the males team up again as if nothing had happened.
But if two of the males are matched in strength and determination, then the situation can get quite serious, and the fights for the ladies can result in serious injuries and even death of one of the contestants.
This picture shows a male just after he had an argument with his brother over a female.
The next day, the lioness was gone, and they were once again together, even licking one another’s wounds.
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 160 | 1/500 sec | f6.3 | EV +0 | 240mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Six weeks’ favorites!
Some of my favorite images from the last six weeks. I hope you will enjoy them.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 