THANDA – Page 115 – Christian Sperka Photography

2013-08-12

Lions and Wine!

With two guest from Germany – staying for 12 nights at Thanda – we planned some game drives in rather remote areas of the reserve. When we drove in a very hilly area we spotted a Black Rhino moving fast across the opposite site of a valley.

When we went off road down a slope to follow up we spotted one of Thanda’s pride of Lions lounging on the other side. We decided to lounge as well and my guests had some wine and snacks while watching the Lions. The Black Rhino had disappeared by this time into a very thick area – as they usually do. A very special game drive. Lions at sunset with a glass of red in your hands!

2013-08-06

A New Male Lion for Thanda!

A new male Lion has arrived at Thanda. Today this magnificent animal was released into a large enclosure (called “boma”) where he will spend some time until he will “take over” a new section of Thanda as dominant male.

When the transport container was opened he jumped out, did a short speed run, gave a few deep growls and then slowly inspected his new temporary home!

2013-08-05

Morning Sun!

This images shows the Thanda’s dominant male Lion enjoying the morning sunlight as the Thanda guest enjoyed watching him!

What a start for a great day!

2013-08-04

Winter Rain!

This afternoon we had some winter rain. Despite the unusual wet weather for this season the Thanda guests enjoyed great game drives with Elephant bulls, a herd of Buffalo and this young Giraffe (in Zebra company).

2013-08-03

Center Focus!

We were the center of focus for this young male Lion when we watched him and his family feeding on a Wildebeest kill. The Thanda guests on my vehicle enjoyed the attention!

2013-08-02

Across a valley!

This morning we spotted Thanda’s herd of Elephants in a remote area of the reserve. We watched from top of a hill as they faded in and out of the trees. After the herd had gone by Thanda’s two largest Elephant bulls were making their way across the valley.

Not only the closeup sighting can be magnificent!

2013-08-01

Close up and personal!

Thanda guests often have fabulous Lion sightings. This morning the North Pride was resting on the savanna before continuing their walk to a near waterhole. They came close up and personal to one of our game drive vehicles. A thrilling moment for any safari guest!

2013-07-31

Not always the five!

Sometimes your best sighting of the day is not one of the big five. Today was such a day. As beautiful and exciting as the Rhino, Buffalo and Cheetah sightings were, seeing this African Harrier Hawk flying from tree to tree and looking for nests was very special.

The Thanda guests enjoyed watching this raptor concentrating on his afternoon hunt (and almost giving some Guinea Fowls a heart attack in the process :-)).

2013-07-30

One more way to fight …

Fight Rhino Poaching from the Air!

ZAP-Wing is a partnership between the provincial conservation agency Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Project Rhino KZN. 24 game reserves (300,000ha) in northern KwaZulu-Natal currently benefit from daily aerial surveillance and reaction support; over 3,000 rhino are under the ZAP-Wing watch.

Thanda supports the organization and the reserve is covered by the ZAP-Wing.

Watch the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YY883N2d-Og),
check out the website (www.zapwing.org),
and support the fight for Rhinos!

2013-07-24

My favorite Elephant …

I like all the wild animals on Thanda but if I had to name my favorite Elephant this is the one. His name is Thulani.

Normally I do not use individual names for wildlife, but for our two largest bulls (40-45 years old / approx 6 tons in weight) I make an exception. Thulani can be identified by his calm nature and the “slightly out of line” tusks.

The Thanda guests on my vehicle really enjoyed the recent sighting of this gentle giant.