BIRDS of KRUGER photo safari - October 2016
Posted by Wild4 Photo Safaris on 4th Nov 2016
Kruger this year has been feeling the effects of quite a severe drought and the park was looking very dry. There was very little grass cover evident throughout the park and of course there was a shortage of water. The Hippo population has been particuarly badly hit and we saw many Hippo carcasses on our journey from the North of the park to the South. However despite the drough the bird encounters remained very good with a total of 185 species seen and photographed.
Northern Kruger again provided some special sightings and we got to see and photograph the Meve's Starling, Trumpeter Hornbill at a nest site and the unusual looking Crested Guineafowl, only found in Northern Kruger.
A few of our other bird highlights were watching a fight between an African Hoopoe and a Greater Blue - eared Starling, two Crowned Hornbills each eating a large locust, a tiny Pygmy Kingfisher, an African Finfoot, the Grey Backed Cameroptera and a Red Headed Weaver at its nest.
Of course we also bumped into a number of great mammal sightings which included a pack of Endangered African Wilddogs, Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, a few of Kruger's Big Tusker elephants, White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuck and a number of sightings of the rarely seen Sharpe's Grysbok.
Many thanks to Brian and Marian for joining us on this "Birds of Kruger" photo safari, it was great to travel with you and officially set a new "Birds of Kruger" photo record !
Here are some of the images from the safari.
Best wishes
Stu
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I have just returned from a fantastic custom safari to the Kruger with Wild4. This was my second trip in the Kruger with Wild4 and everything from start to finish was absolutely perfect. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this sort of trip there with anyone else. Things were off to a positive from way before we landed. Justyna was as helpful and patient as ever from day 1 and I must say that her suggestions were all spot on. Not only did she sort everything out for us and made it look easy (although I very much doubt it was), but the information she gave us prepared us well for the trip. As soon as we met up with Stefan after we arrived, we had nothing else to "worry" about except take pictures. He was not only great as a guide with his experience, sharp eyes, and genuine interest in wildlife becoming obvious quickly, but he was also excellent as a driver who knows what works and what doesn't photographically and was thus able to position the vehicle perfectly. It was not uncommon for one of us to just say a couple of words about what we wanted to try photographically and he'd immediatelly be on it, getting us in the perfect position while adhering to the rules and keeping the wildlife's interest as a top priority - something all members of the group I was in appreciated immensly. Thank you Stefan, Justyna, and Stu for making this trip happen for us! I look forward to being back with you guys in the future!
Matthew Scerri, Malta
This was truly a fantastic safari. The camping experience gave us the feel of being closer to nature as opposed to being in a lodge without really roughing it and the camp food was superior to the lodge buffets. The photographic opportunities were great throughout the safari and our time on the Chobe River was exceptional. As a veteran of 13 safaris to other locations in Africa I can say this was fantastic.
Don Getty www.dongettywildlifephotography.com, USA
Just been taken right back there, fabulous photographs Stu.
Sharron franks - November 04th, 2016 at 9:10am
Wow!! These are great. Looks like in spite of the arid conditions, you had much success. Peggy and I are so excited about seeing the shots from the upcoming Kenya Safari, not to mention our trip next year. Did you take most of the bird photos with your 400 2.8, and full frame Canon? Thanks, and good luck in Kenya. Jim
Jim Betz - November 04th, 2016 at 10:48am
Excellent wish I was there I am still dreaming of my trip
You are the best wild life photographer
Ulhas Mayekar - November 04th, 2016 at 11:59am
Amazing bird s…photos are wonderful and the diversification amazing…thanks for sharing. Hope we can join you again someday…
John Huenink - November 04th, 2016 at 12:16pm
What an exciting trip! You’ve shown us some of the birds…but this array is spectacular. Of course, I love other animals as well. Great job…as usual!
Toni Anderson - November 04th, 2016 at 1:13pm
Thanks for sharing. Wish we were there. Say hello to Mamai for us in Kenya. We look forward to our 4th safari with Wild 4!.
Michael Anderson - November 04th, 2016 at 1:15pm
Fabulous images Stu as always. I love looking at all your trip reports and wish I could experience them all. The Namibia trip this year was an outstanding experience and I have many beautiful images to bring back many happy memories. Thankyou Wild4 and hope to travel with you again soon. Best wishes, Lesley and Steve Middleton, UK
Lesley Middleton - November 07th, 2016 at 10:51am