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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Dear Justyna and Stu
We had a wonderful time on the photo safari.
It was a unique experience, not like anything else we’ve done even though we have travelled to many parts of the world over the last 30 years. It was a thrill to see such a variety of animals and birds and also to see many of them in such large numbers. There can’t be anything better than seeing them in the relatively relaxed setting that Kruger National Park provides.
We appreciated all the effort that went into the equipment and the logistics for the photographic safari. The photo vehicle with the bean bags and panning plates was excellent for taking photographs and for enabling us to be close to the animals while staying safe.
The catering was great. We enjoyed our breakfasts and lunches and coffee out on the road. We were comfortable in the accommodation at the Satara and Lower Sabie camps.
As I mentioned in an email, the Meet & Greet at Johannesburg Airport was perfect after such a long journey from the USA. The flights to and from Skusuza went without a hitch.
We really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Mike Lentz. Eleven days together provides a lot of time to talk. He is a great guy. We were very impressed with his knowledge of the animals, birds, and plants in Kruger National Park. His descriptions of animal behavior and other information added immensely to our enjoyment of the photo safari. We also appreciated his efforts to ensure we had a total Kruger Park experience, birds, trees, plants, landscapes as well as the animals.
Looking forward to returning on another photographic safari in the future.
Best regards,
Jennifer & Jerry Monopolis, USA
'Thank you Stu for such a memorable safari to the Kruger.
WILD4 provided a totally professional service, from the pre-safari preparation to the sighting and photographing of so many animals and birds, at all stages your team provided first class support and advice. The package you provide is superb and that is why I am booking another safari with you.
Pete Farmer, UK
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