Mara Magic - Isak Pretorius Safari Diary

Safari Diary - 8 September 2014

Photo tour, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

 

With the traveling day behind us we finally made it to the Maasai Mara for the start of our photo tour. After arriving at our camp, we had lunch and time to refresh before leaving on our first afternoon game drive. Shutters fired furiously at our first sighting of small herd of elephants walking across the savannah. That was followed by mating lions in good light and a cheetah crossing the Talek river. On the way to camp we stopped to photograph wildebeest on the crest of a hill in front of the rising moon. Not a bad way to start the week and everyone is excited to see what is in store for the rest of our time here.

 

Cheetah| 1/1000 sec at f/5.3, ISO 640  |  Nikon D4 + Nikon 80-400f/5.6  |  Manual mode, -1/3 ev

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Month of the Mud Bath

To the wildlife of Mashatu yesterday was just another day in their lives. To me, it was the best day spent in the underground hide I have experienced thus far. As temperatures have begun soaring into the 30’s, the wildlife on Mashatu Game Reserve have had to adapt and make some changes to their everyday routines. These changes are bringing life to the waterhole of the C4 Underground Elephant Hide like never before. Hundreds of elephants have been pulling in from afar not only for a quick drink but also a mud bath. Alongside the elephants we have impala, warthog, kudu, eland, monkey’s and not to mention the birdlife – all co-existing together in harmony...for a change!

 

Here are a series of images from our jammed packed morning of hide activity, hope you enjoy pictures as much as we enjoyed our morning!

 

First herd of the morning arriving in full force

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Reflection by Heinrich van den Berg

 "This is not just a book of wildlife. It is a book of thoughts, reflection and candid philosophy."

Heinrich van den Berg is a full-time wildlife photographer and has travelled the world photographing wildlife and culture with a uniquely artistic eye. Van den Bergs photographs are known for breaking boundaries and depicting the natural world in a fresh and evocative way, proven by the numerous awards and publications his photographs has received.

Being one of C4 Images & Safaris' most experience guides, it comes to no surprise that some of the Photographs featured in the book Reflection was taken on Safari to places as beautiful as Mashatu and the Underground Hide.

I urge you to take a moment to click on this page and watch the video on his new book. It will expose you to one of South Africa's creative geniuses in the photography book world. Heinrich is currently the only photographer in SA that takes great concepts and turns them into stunning books full of excellent images and worthy words. Some beautiful examples featured in the book Reflection.

 

    

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True Wilderness in Laikipia

With 1 million hectors of true wilderness heaven, one can only imagine the masses of wildlife that roam the landscape of Laikipia. Laikipia situated in Northern Kenya is the eco tone between East African Savannah and the Chalbi Dessert, thus creating a unique environment ideal for wildlife to thrive in. With the combination of large open plains, wooded landscapes and huge granite protrusions one is spoilt with a diverse array of landscapes.

 

The Beautiful Wilderness of Laikipia

 

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August Winds

The August winds have once again brought change to underground hide.  New mammals, birds and herds have made regular visits to the hide this month making for an interesting viewing experience to all those who have visited the hide.

Kurrichane Thrush
 

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Recent July Premier Predator Tour

C4 and Shem Compion recently hosted one of their favourite photo safaris in Southern Africa, a Premier predator Safari with a Kalahari extension.This means 4 nights in Mashatu, 4 nights in Mala Mala and then three nights in Tswalu Kalahari. All transfers are done by plane so that means you never miss a photo morning or evening session the entire duration of the safari!

What it also means is that our clients cover some very diverse landscapes across the country with all of them being excellent wildlife photography country.This is simply one of the best wildlife photography safaris you can do in Southern Africa with the highlights being the elephants and photo hides of Mashatu, Leopards and lions of Mala Mala and then the Meerkats of Tswalu.

It is no wonder that we only have a couple of places remaining in 2015.

These are:
Premier Predator Tour 22-30 April 2015
Premier Predator Tour 11-19 November 2015

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Getaway Wildlife / Natural History Photography course with Shem Compion at the Photo and Film Expo 2014

"Wildlife/natural history photography has changed considerably over the last fifteen years. Shem has navigated these years to emerge as one of the most successful. Shem's invaluable experience and expertise will guide you through this course for you to emerge as a successful photographer."

Join Shem Compion and Getaway at the Photo and Film Expo 2014 for a Wildlife/Natural History Photography Course on the Friday( 31 Oct.) and Saturday (1 Nov.).

Please contact Sue on suew@ramsaymedia.co.za for bookings and additional information.

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Second Photo Workshops led by Heinrich van den Berg

In a previous post we spoke about Heinrich van den Berg who led our Clients on a C4 Images and Safaris Photo Workshop in Mashatu and showcased some of the his amazing photographs captured over that time.

Heinrich hosted another Workshop at Mashatu for C4 Images & Safaris and once again Mashatu delivered in incredible sighting of Elephants and wildlife. Please see below some great photography from Heinrich van den Berg, capturing all of the excitement while on the C4 Photo Workshop.

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Photo Workshop led by Heinrich van den Berg

Heinrich van den Berg is a world renowned photographer and publisher, he was the first photographer to win the Eric Hoskings Award of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year for two consecutive years and also won the international Camel Trophy Photographic Competition. Additionally he was the overall winner of the International Fuji Getaway Photographer of the Year award in 2005. 

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Birds of the Underground Hide

Although summer feels as though it is centuries away as well as the beautiful migrant birds that come with it, the bird life at the underground hide has been outstanding in the past few months.  Our “seen at the underground hide” bird list for the year has reached approximately 60 species, and is growing every day.

Grey-Go-Away



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