The area behind one of the dams at Thanda has turned into a temporary wetland, after all the rain we had over the last two months.
I hope you will enjoy this short video showing its beauty with many different bird species. Some of them are aquatic birds, which have never been recorded at Thanda before.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
… on Thanda is definitely a place we call ‘The Savanna’. It is an open area in the North of the reserve which incorporates two waterholes and is crossed by one of Thanda’s major roads.
These are nine pictures I took on the savanna just in the last two weeks.
Enjoy this heaven for wildlife photographer!
A Umbrella Thorn Tree at sunrise on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 250 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+1 | 150mm | WB 6500K
At the savanna mud hole at sunrise
Technical data: Apple 14 Pro Max | Ultra Wide Camera 13mm
Lilac-breasted Roller perching next to Solela dam on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 4000 | 1/500sec | ev+/-0 | WB 6500K
A dazzle of Burchell’s Zebra moving across the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 320 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 140mm | WB 6500K
Golden light on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 100 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+1 | 32mm | WB6500
Lioness walking down the savanna main road called Phakama
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1000 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K
A crash of White Rhinoceros at Mgankla dam on the eastern side of the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1600 | 1/3000sec | f4.5 | ev+0 | 60mm | WB 6500K
A Burchell’s Zebra stallion flehmen on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 500 | 1/500sec | f6.3 | ev+0.5 | 130mm | WB 6500K
A South African Giraffe bull at sunset on the savanna
Technical data: Canon R6 Mark II with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 800 | 1/750sec | f6.3 | ev+0 | 24mm | WB 6500K
… and this is a drone picture of the savanna (DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro)
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
When Margaret and Mike arrived at Thanda Safari twelve years ago, they met a field guide of German descent who had just started working as a guide on the reserve: Me!
And Bheki (Nbumvo), a very experienced tracker, had just started working with me, and he still does today.
Margaret and Mike enjoyed their 2013 safari very much before they returned to their home in Australia. Over the next 12 years, they followed my wildlife photography career on social media, and from time to time we exchanged messages about their intention to return to Thanda someday.
To Bheki’s and my great pleasure, they arrived last week for a four-night stay at Thanda Safari Lodge, together with their daughter Hallie and her husband Michael.
Using the Green Mamba II, we embarked on many game drives on the reserve, enjoyed morning cappuccino from the bush barista (=me), and ended the days with a Zululand pineapple gin & tonics as the sun set. And one of these drinks stops was even interrupted by large White Rhino bull, which led to a speedy retreat onto the vehicle.
I took many pictures during their stay, which they received as a reminder of all we had seen and done. A few of these images are published with this story.
This return visit after 4367 days was very special for Bheki and me. Thanks again to Margaret, Hallie, Mike, and Michael for their friendship. We will certainly continue to stay in touch!
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
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
Three male Dung Beetles were fighting over a freshly rolled ball.
These incredibly strong creatures, in relation to their body size, often try to hijack one another’s dung balls.
Their sense of smell must be incredible as they land minutes of the fresh dung leaving its producer and start turning the waste material into a breeding chambers and food sources for their offspring.
They bury the ball in suitable ground with the fertilized egg inside.
And the winner takes it all. The losers move off to find fresh dung for more balls!
Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1250 | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV Mode
#CanonOnEyeLevel
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
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
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
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).
Some of my favorite images from the last week. I hope you will enjoy them.
#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography
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
Christian Sperka Photography | Custom Luxury Tours 