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
7 Comments
Leave a Comment
I wanted to write this while the trip is still fresh in my mind. This was my first trip to Africa and I did as much online research into photo specific safaris as I could. I was not disappointed with choosing Wild 4. Throughout the trip Stu answered the countless questions as if there wasn't a stupid one in the bunch (and there were many) his knowledge of the wildlife is nothing short of amazing, I can't think of a single bird, mammal or reptile that he couldn't identify and give us some background on. Not to mention his uncanny ability to spot wildlife while moving. Our rangers and accommodations in Ngala and Mala Mala were first rate. While in the Kruger proper, John and Anne took exceptional care us. I would not hesitate to book another trip with Stu. Patrick
Patrick Flora, USA
Everything about my first Safari with Wild4 was so outstanding that I was afraid the second would pale in comparison. I needn't have worried! It was a huge success! Communications, details, accommodations all handled expertly by Justyna. Making sure that we got into the right situations and stayed with them long enough to get the shot handled incredibly by Stu. Susan was not a photographer when we began this journey, but Stu's patient tutoring assured that she came home with some fantastic photographs as well! Our heartfelt thanks to the whole Wild4 family! We'll be back...
Doug & Susan Croft, 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