Sometimes work related to wildlife conservation can get very exciting.
As part of the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project one of these incredible creatures was relocated from Thanda Safari to a new home to expand the range of the species.
When the Rhino was darted it fell asleep not next to the road, as we had hoped, but a bit down a hillside. So it was decided to clean a path, partially wake it up, and then ‘rhino walk’ it up to the waiting container truck.
This is a short video showing as all hands helped, so this large mammal could get to its new home. A job well done!
Black Rhino are usually very shy and do not like to be in the open. Most encounters are a quick look, a fast turn, and a run straight into protective bush.
But last night we had an incredible sighting of this Black Rhino bull calmly drinking at a waterhole and then the crossing the road walking away in a stately pace.
This is my favorite picture from our photo shoot !
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 150mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
Two days ago, Mgazi (Totoli Ntshangase) died at the age of 80 at Bethesda Hospital in Zululand.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a highly respected member of his community.
Over many years Thanda Safari guests visited him, his wife Silvina, and his family, to learn about life in a rural Zulu community.
I am honored to have know him as a friend, even if we needed to communicate through an interpreter.
His and his wife’s willingness to open their home to foreigners and welcome them warmly has always impressed me, and I will continue to visit the family whenever I can.
I have written this post because a few of you have known him, or read about him in the book Leon Wobbe and I wrote a few years ago. And I am sure many of you would have enjoyed knowing him.
My thoughts are with his wife and his family during this difficult time.
To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die. Thomas Campbell
I love guiding guests from all over the world through KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), my incredibly diverse home province, and I try to show them the best it has to offer. This is a report of my most recent trip.
As part of my service, my guests received a link to a download library of 850 full-resolution images, which I took with Canon camera equipment and iPhones during our travels.
This is a report with pictures of this 20 days Custom Luxury Tour.
Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments or via direct message on WhatsApp (+27633294323).
My guests arrived in the late afternoon, and we had an excellent welcome dinner next to the Indian Ocean at Bel Punto, my favorite Italian restaurant in the Durban area. We stayed one night at Lavender Moon Guest House in Umhlanga before we headed off on our tour through KZN.
Sunrise at the Lavender Moon Guest House
Day 2 – Into the Mountains …
On our way from Durban into the Drakensberg mountains we stopped at the impressive Howick Falls, the fascinating Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum, and had lunch at the famous Piggly Wiggly coffee shop in the Midlands. We stayed for two nights at the Dragonview Lodge in the Champagne Valley.
Howick FallsNelson Mandela Capture Site MuseumCurio market at Howick FallsEvening view of the Drakensberg Mountains from the Dragonview Lodge
Day 3 – Raptors and Music …
My two favorite activities in the Drakensberg were on the program: The raptor show at Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre show and the Wednesday concert of the world renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir.
Falcon Ridge Raptor ShowThe Drakensberg Boys Choir
Day 4 – Art and Gourmet Cuisine …
While traveling South to enjoy the beautiful setting and excellent cuisine of Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, where we stayed the next three days, we visited The Platform Gallery with contemporary South African art, and Ardmore Ceramic Art. It was most interesting to observe the local Zulu artists creating incredible ceramic art.
The Platform GalleryArdmore Ceramic ArtJust before the burn …Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
Day 5 – A Walk and A Rest …
This was the first day where my guests got some good rest in a most relaxing and scenic environment. We just went for a short walk on the Highmoor Nature Reserve on a mountain plateau nearby.
Highmoor Nature ReserveJust beautiful colors …… and true master builders!
Day 6 – A Steep Ascent and an Extra Country…
We went for a full day excursion up the incredibly steep and stony Sani Pass into the Kingdom of Lesotho, and we had a surprisingly good lunch at the ‘Highest Pub in Africa’. My first trip ever into Lesotho!
The Sani PassNot burned vs burned!
Day 7 – Into the Battlefields …
We visited the Blood River Battlefield (1838 – Zulu-Boer War). It is a most significant site playing a big role in South African history and in defining the identity of many Afrikaans people. Our battlefield guide was excellent! For the next three nights we stayed at my favorite place in the battlefields, called Fugitives Drift Lodge.
The Wagenburg Memorial at Blood River
Day 8 – British defeat …
At the battle of Isandlwana (1879 Anglo-Zulu War) the British army suffered the worst single battle defeat in the colonial history of the country. Bryan, our battlefield guide, narrated the visit superbly.
IsandlwanaA beautiful tapestry depicting the battle at the visitors’ centre
Day 9 – The most Victoria Crosses …
The battle of Rorke’s Drift commenced in the afternoon of the same days as the battle of Isandlwana, and lasted into the early hours of the next day. The most Victoria Crosses for a single battle where awarded to the heroic men who won this battle. Douglas Rattray was our guide to this battle ground and his narration was superb!
Rorke’s Drift
Day 10 – Into the Wetlands …
The next two days we spent at Makakatana Bay Lodge in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. I love the environment around Lake St. Lucia with its stark contrast to the Forest Savanna at Thanda Safari.
Hippo greeting on arrivalWetlands at sunset
Day 11 – On the Lake …
Today a Hippo Cruise on Lake St.Lucia was on the program. We had very good hippo and croc sightings and even more impressive bird encounters.
An African Darter catching a fishAn Osprey and its dinner
Day 12 – Coming home …
On our way to my ‘home ground’ at Thanda Safari we visited the Crocodile Centre in St. Lucia. The next five nights my guests spent at the Thanda Safari Lodge with Bheki (my tracker) and I introducing them to the Big Five!
An Elephant at the Thanda Safari gate. A true Big Five welcome
Day 13 – Elephants and Cheetah …
… on two game drives at Thanda Safari!
Day 14 – Rhino and Giraffe …
… and many more species during two more game drives.
Day 15 – Lion and Buffalo …
… during two more drives.
Day 16 – Zulu Community …
We visited a Zulu family in a local community. Not a tourist show, just a visit of people from different counties chatting about their respective lives.
Day 17 – The Last Game Drive …
A last game drive in the morning and then we were off back towards Durban/Umhlanga, where we stayed at the unique Oysterbox Hotel for the last three nights of this KZN tour.
Goodbye committee The Oysterbox Hotel, Umhlanga, KZNAlways fresh …
Day 18 – Sharks and Co …
The uShaka Marine World aquarium was well worth a visit. We also had a look at the Durban harbour and a short walk along the Indian Ocean beach.
uShaka Marine WorldAmazing colours of the seaFun at the beach
Day 19 – Not the Usual Tour …
The Culture Shock Tour of Durban is a walking tour of downtown Durban. Together with Johnny, a local guide for this adventure, one explores all the local markets and areas where tourists usually do not go.
Fruit and vegetables marketTraditional umuthi (medicine) market
Day 20 – Goodbye …
A last view of the Indian Ocean
My guests called it a ‘trip of a lifetime’. It is incredible what KwaZulu Natal has to offer!
Here are few trip stats, for the ones of you who like details:
20 Day road trip (using a Toyota Fortuner SUV)
7 Overnight locations
20 activities/excursions (w/o game drives)
11 game drives with > 25 large mammal species, > 80 bird species, and many ectotherm species
Route: Durban – Drakensberg – Lesotho – Battlefields – Wetlands – Thanda Safari – Durban – over 2,500 km (1,600 miles) of exploring the province in easy stages absorbing the varying country side
My services include organizing all accommodations, meals, and activities, hosting and guiding throughout the trip, driving the vehicle, taking pictures of everything on the trip for the guest, and taking care of any issues which might arise during travel
… stood this young Kudu bull. He was stock-still, awaiting my move.
Often, the first reaction of many prey species is not to run when they encounter a predator (or anything else moving about which they are not certain, like me in my Jimny).
Instead, they freeze in place to see if the sighted potential threat continues on a course parallel or away from themselves. If that is the case, they go back to what they were doing before the encounter.
But if the subject of interest (me in this case!) turns towards them or remains still for too long, then they will take evasive action and run away.
This is exactly what happened in this case as I had to continue on the road.
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 170mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
I have posted very little since early September, and some of you may have wondered what I have been up to.
I have just returned from a fantastic three week trip with two American guests who are also my friends from my time in the USA. We began our journey in the Drakensberg Mountains, visited the Battlefields, explored the iSimangaliso Wetlands, encountered the Big Five at Thanda, and concluded our travels in Durban at the fabulous Oyster Box Hotel to enjoy city life for a few days.
A few trip stats: 21 days, 7 overnight locations, 19 excursions and activities, and 11 game drives. I will soon be sharing a photo trip report about our adventures.
Upon my return, Thanda Safari and The Royal Thanda Club hosted the most extraordinary five-day event I have ever witnessed in the African bush. It was an extravaganza with over 120 guests from around the world staying in our six new Royal Thanda Club Villas, Villa iZulu, Thanda Safari Lodge, and Thanda Tented Camp. The experience was both exhilarating and exhausting!
This afternoon, for the first time in a while, I had the opportunity to venture out onto the reserve on my own. Just before sunset, I managed to capture this picture of a Black Rhino browsing in a recently burned area. The majestic creature appeared quite relaxed (for a Black Rhino!) and I was able to take a few shots from a distance. After wild cats, this is my favorite mammal species. What an evening!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f/11, 800mm | ISO 25600 | 1/500 sec | EV +0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
This young Thanda Safari Lioness was following her mother across a recently burned area. I took this picture last night just as the sun had set. I love the stark contrast between the cat and the background.
Technical data: Canon R6 with EF lens f2.8/70-200mm | ISO 16000 | 1/500sec | f2.8 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 