PAKAMISA

2014-08-17

Hyenas, Horses and a Sunset

Just before I went off work for seven days I was able to participate in a Hyena capture operation (five Hyenas were to be transferred to another game reserve).

Then I spent a few days at Pakamisa enjoying a bit of riding, excellent company and superb food! It was great that Magdel and Warren from Thanda were able to join me at Pakamisa for a one night stay. This picture shows all of us leaving the stables for a morning ride.

Isabella took this group picture of me, Badger and the warthogs 🙂

I also did a “romantic drinks at sundown” photo shoot. I like the results.

2014-07-17

Close encounters!

I was sorting and filing images when I came across some recent images Isabella took of me at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve. I miss the place and I am looking forward to going back there soon.

Enjoy the images of my close encounters!

PS: I am sure Badger is waiting – not so much for me, but for the apple treats 🙂 …

… and if you wonder who Badger is – well, he is the horse in all the pictures!

Pictures by Isabella Stepski – Pakamisa Private Game Reserve

2014-03-242014-03-24

A Pakamisa Weekend!

I spent another great weekend at Pakamisa. This very special Private Game Reserve combines five star luxury with horseback safari. It is one of my favorite places in South Africa.

Above is a picture from today’s photo shoot. The aim was to get a good image of riders on Horses, close to Giraffes. Mission accomplished 🙂

Isabella Stepski (the owner of Pakamisa) took this funny picture of Slinky, me and Bully on our way to the horse photo shoot and she also captured me on Badger, doing some “horse-back photography”.

And I love this image of the riders returning to the stables at sunset.

Another very enjoyable Pakamisa weekend! www.pakamisa.co.za

2014-01-10

Finally!

During my December visit at Pakamisa Game Reserve the weather did not cooperate and I was not able to go for a horse ride. But this time everything worked well and I was able to ride a horse for the first time in my life.

Yesterday and today “two portly gentlemen”, Badger – a sturdy Shire Horse – and I, went for two rides around Pakamisa. I enjoyed it very much, even if my “back side” still has to get used to the process 🙂

Two of Pakamisa’s horse trails guides, Fabio on El Dorado (a Boerperd) and Alexandra on Bolina (a Pure Arab Mare) were instructing me well on my first horse-riding attempt. I certainly will be back for more safaris on horseback.

I am spending four days of my work-off-time at Pakamisa. I get a bit of rest at this beautiful spot in the Zulu hills, enjoying the excellent food, sub-merging myself in a cool pool in the hot weather and getting close to wildlife on horseback. What a life!

Click here of more information about Pakamisa Private Game Reserve.

Thanks to Isabella Stepski for taking these pictures.

2013-12-10

Too wet to ride :-(

I had a great time at Pakamisa (www.pakamisa.com)!

I enjoyed the birding course with Prof. Ian MacDonald, learning a lot about the birds in Kwazulu Natal and – despite the very rainy weather – I got some good bird shots. Staying at this beautiful place in the Zululand hills, enjoying the excellent cuisine and the five star service is a treat. And, as always on Pakamisa, I had the opportunity to take some good horse images.

I was only a bit disappointed that the weather did not allow for my first horse ride. Pakamisa acquired recently a horse which is strong enough to carry a portly gentleman as myself :-).

Well, I hope to be back at Pakamisa soon and I hope the weather will be good enough for my first horse ride 🙂

Picture above: Scarlet-chested Sunbird feeding in the Pakamisa lodge garden.

Pakamisa’s stables.

Two of Pakamisa’s Arabians. Baracka (a mare) on the left and her full brother Jamaal.

“My horse” at Pakamisa. This beautiful crossbred between a Thoroughbred and a Shire named Badger is strong enough for me to ride. I am looking forward to my first ride!

A Ostrich portrait taken in the rain at Pakamisa.

Baby Ostriches grow very fast. The seven youngsters are only three month old, but already almost as tall as their parents.

I (on the left) learned a lot about birds during the course with Prof. Ian MacDonald (on the right).

A Pakamisa bird party. These Weavers and Quelea enjoyed the leftovers from the Ostrich feeding.

A Golden-breasted Bunting chick calling to be fed!

2013-07-302013-07-30

On Saturday and Sunday I was invited to a game reserve near Pongola named Pakamisa. This very special place specializes in exploring the African bush on horseback (for more information go to www.pakamisa.co.za).

I enjoy taking pictures of these beautiful horses in action. The really good news for me is that they recently got a new horse, which will be able to take my weight. I am looking forward to my first time on a horse 🙂

2012-11-15

Back at Thanda!

This time my “seven-day-weekend” was over very quickly. I got quite a bit of photography done at Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, but I will have to go back soon to finish up the job – I am looking forward to it.

The image below is one of my favorite pictures I took today (www.pakamisa.co.za). Pakamisa’s owner Isabella Stepski – on one of her horses – got very close to this Giraffe bull. He was quite relaxed being viewed from horseback.

A few days away was great, but I am also looking forward to driving again on Thanda.

Have a good weekend!

2012-10-202012-10-20

PAKAMISA and Back to Work!

Well, I thought seven days off is a lot of time. Not so!

I was busy with all kinds of things – but with very little wildlife. My car got its first (10,000km) service, I started the process to get a South African Driver’s license (back to driving school :-)), went to the dentist, and … and … and …

But, yesterday I got a bit of a break. I spent a night in a beautiful game reserve, specializing on horseback safaris. Its name is Pakamisa, which means “lift up” in Zulu. The lodge is located on top of a mountain near Pongola. Isabella Stepski (In the picture with one of her Arabian Horses) has created this very special place in Zululand.

Well, don’t laugh, but the horses are not strong enough for a portly gentlemen like me (the rider weight limit is 90kg=200lbs), but I still enjoyed my stay very much. The weather was bad – it rained very hard – but we still went for a short game drive and had a look at the scenery and at the stables with over 30 horses (the picture shows one of the Horses with one of the free roaming Ostriches on the property).

Even if you have never been on horseback before, this special type of safari is a great addition to the traditional “big five game reserve” experience. I will certainly be back to take pictures in better weather :-). Have a look at Pakamisa’s website www.pakamisa.com!