Category: THANDA

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Canon on Eye-Level – A Lioness

This lioness was in the right place at the time for her portrait shoot this morning. She is part of the Intibane pride. Together with her three sisters, she was keen to hunt, as their bellies were empty. But it got quite hot already and the four of them withdrew in the cooling shade of thicker bush a few minutes after this picture was taken. 

The soft early morning light and a position slightly below the large cat made this picture possible.

Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1600 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode

#CanonOnEyeLevel

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography 

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iPhone at eye-level | Rain, beautiful rain…

We humans like to complain. When there is no rain, we complain about the lack of rain, and when there is a lot of rain, we complain that there is too much!

But I have learned in my (now almost 13) years in South Africa and through many drought periods never to complain about rain.

February is usually the rainiest month, and this February, with over 228mm of rain so far (and it’s still raining), is one of the wettest months I have recorded.

The roads are now so muddy that a “game drive” is currently more like a “game of slip-and-slide”.

And if the weather forecast is to be believed, the remainder of February promises even more rain (at least >80mm).

The animals, such as these White Rhinos, enjoy the availability of water for drinking, wallowing, and swimming. I took this picture with my smartphone driving on a main road during a rainy day!

Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Main Camera 24mm | ISO 64 | 1/90sec | f1.8 | ev+0 | 48mm

#iphoneOnEyeLevel

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography 

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My week …

My first week back at Thanda in wildlife pictures. What a wonderful world!

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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 

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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

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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 

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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).

… and these are a few impressions from my two days of Christmas at Pakamisa
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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

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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

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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

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