Moya Wa Tenga Safaris brings you an unbeatable deal to help you celebrate the arrival of spring and warm the winter chill away!

Spend two nights at the 5 Star Motswiri Private Safari Lodge in the renowned Madikwe Game Reserve and get two free nights in the Aquarius Luxury Suites in Blouberg, Cape Town.

This superior package comes at an incredible rate of only R 5 995.00 per person sharing

A massive saving of R 2 175.00!

And as if that wasn’t enough, book with Moya Wa Tenga Safaris and you’ll receive a massive 25% discount on your return road transfers from JHB!

This Package Includes

• 2 Nights Accommodation in the 5 star Motswiri Private Safari Lodge
• 2 Nights Accommodation at Aquarius Luxury Suites in Blouberg, Cape Town
• All meals at Motswiri Private Safari Lodge
• Three Game activities per day, two game drives and an optional bush walk at Motswiri.
• Breakfast daily at the News Café, directly opposite the Aquarius Luxury Suites

Excludes Conservation Levies, Items of a personal nature, Transportation & Meals not stated above.

Motswiri Private Safari Lodge

Motswiri lies hidden in the bush, an exclusive lodge offering a maximum of 10 people a bush experience second to none. The lodge offers some of the best views in Madikwe and conveys a sense of tranquillity. The luxury bush villas are nestled amongst Leadwood and Tambotie trees and offer an intimate and homely setting with complete privacy.

Aquarius Luxury Suites

Redefining class and sophistication, Aquarius Luxury Suites add a thrilling new dimension to the Blouberg beach-front. These stunning, newly built, serviced suites offer the finest furnishings, linen and finishing touches to make any discerning visitor feel right at home.

Aquarius Suites are located within walking distance of beautiful un-spoilt beaches and most photographed views in South Africa, along with several restaurants and exciting activities such as kite-surfing. The 36 suites, comprising 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, some with views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, are ideal for holiday-makers and business travelers alike.

For enquires or more details, please complete the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Terms & Conditions

• This special is valid for travel dates before 30 November 2010.
• Rates are based on a per person sharing basis and are subject to availability

For more information on each of the featured properties please feel free to visit their websites:

• Motswiri Private Safari Lodge:

• Aquarius Luxury Apartments:

Submit an Enquiry NOW!

A media release from The Endangered Wildlife Trust

The first Saturday of September every year is observed as International Vulture Awareness day by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme (EWT-BoPP), its partners and associates including provincial conservation bodies and several other NGOs involved in vulture research and conservation in South Africa. The purpose of this day is to create awareness of the continued plight of all vulture species and to highlight the work done by conservationists to monitor populations and implement effective measures to conserve these birds and their habitats.

“The day evolved from the Sasol National Vulture Awareness Day that has been celebrated in South Africa since 2005” says EWT-BoPP Manager, André Botha. “This initiative received such interest from organisations elsewhere on the world that the first international event was celebrated by 152 organisations representing 45 countries in 2009. We expect global support to be even greater this year.”

South Africa is home to no less than 9 vulture species. Seven of these species are listed in the Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (Barnes, 2000) as facing a certain degree of threat of extinction. The Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus is one of only two bird species listed as “Regionally Extinct” in South Africa. The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus, whose range in southern Africa is restricted to the Maluti-Drakensberg mountains in South Africa and Lesotho is classified as Endangered and continues to decline in numbers. The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres only occurs within southern Africa and the conservation of this species remains one of the main focal areas of the EWT-BoPP. Other species, such as the Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotus, Hooded Necrosyrtes monachus, White-headed Trigonoceps occipitalis and African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus mostly occur in large conservation areas and are listed as Vulnerable.

Vultures are faced with a range of threats such as poisoning, persecution, electrocution and collision with powerlines, drowning in farm reservoirs in drier parts of the country, shortage of safe food supplies and loss of suitable habitat. Recent research has shown that these birds are highly mobile and can cover several 100 kilometres in a day in search of food.

This makes the implementation of effective conservation measures to benefit these species a daunting task which needs to be approached from a national, or more likely an international perspective.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust in collaboration with the Vulture Programme of the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation NPO and BirdLife South Africa will be hosting a fun-filled family day at the Vulture Programme’s rehab centre near Hartbeespoort dam. Activities will include morning and afternoon talks on vulture conservation, vulture feedings and lots of activities for the kids. You can contact André Botha or Kerri Wolter for more information on the day’s activities. A number of rehabilitation centres and vulture restaurants in the country will also host special events and show vultures to members of the public.

For additional information on how you can become involved please go to www.international-vulture-awareness-day.org.

Contact: André Botha

Manager, Birds of Prey Programme

Endangered Wildlife Trust

Tel: 082 962 5725

Spring is in the air here in South Africa, the days are warming up and some of the Acacia species are already blossoming! This period generally marks the final stretch of the dry season with the promise of rain within the next month or two.

The desktop backgrounds for September are in two size formats:

• 1280 x 800 (click on the image to open it in a new window, then right click on the full image and save)
• 2560 x  1600 (simply click on the ‘Download” link)

The first image is of an African Darter (Anhinga rufa ), sometimes called the Snakebird. This common name describes the darter’s habit of swimming with its body submerged and only the snakelike head and long, curved neck exposed.  They nest in small colonies with ibises and herons, building bulky nests lined with leaves. The helpless young are fed by regurgitation. The male of the species is mainly glossy black with white streaking, but females and immature birds are browner. This image was taken on a still morning  during a day trip to the Pilanesberg National Park.

Downloadthe large file here

The second image was also taken in Pialesnebrg National Park and is of a lone Elephant (Loxodonta africana) bull walking through the tall grass of an open field. I opted to crop the original image to place the Elephant off centre and create a sense os space to the right of the image. I also toyed with converting into Black and White  and really couldnt decide which image I preffered, so , I have added both the colour and black and white version. I would be very keen to hear which one you prefer!

Downloadthe large file here

Downloadthe large file here

I hope you enjoy this months images and, as usual, I welcome any feedback or comments you might have!

When the original dates of a private guided trip to Kruger National Park changed at the last minute, I found myself struggling to find accommodation in the area. To make things even worse, the new dates were over a long weekend! With just days to sort something out it looked like the trip was doomed. Luckily for me, the whole situation resolved itself when I stumbled across the Umlani Bush Camp’s website. The booking was made and the trip was on!

I was very impressed with all aspects of the camp and have decided to add this delightful bushcamp to the list of accommodation options as I feel it has so much to offer the first time safari traveller as well as the hardened wildlife enthusiast!

So here is this month’s destination review of the Umlani Bush Camp…

Location

Umlani Bush Camp is situated in the heart of the Timbavati Nature Reserve, a fairly relaxed 5-6 hour drive from Johannesburg. The Timbavati is incorporated into the world renowned Kruger National Park.

Accommodation

Umlani can accommodate up to 16 guests in 8 comfortable, environmentally friendly reed huts. There are 3 family units which sleep up to 4 people, 1 hut that sleeps 3 people, and four huts which sleep 2. Each hut is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, as well as mosquito nets and storage space for clothes etc.

The camp is very environmentally friendly and runs without any electricity. Hot water is provided by means of a donkey boiler system (although the lodge is in the process of installing a solar hot water system and will use the donkey boiler system as a back up) which feeds through directly to each of the huts. Some may be a bit sceptical of this system but it works extremely well! I had hot water for each and every shower. Despite having a full camp during our stay, Umlani provided the peace and quiet that one wishes for when heading out to the bush. The huts are placed sufficiently far apart to ensure that you have your own privacy.

The camp is not fenced in although it does have an elephant wire which is a deterrent for the big elephants but does not keep any of the other animals and smaller elephants out. Guests are escorted to and from their rooms by the guides in the evenings. The rooms are beautifully lit with gas lamps at night, providing a romantic atmosphere whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment is kept to a minimum. Umlani Bushcamp is the 14th establishment to receive the prestigious Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certification – a first for the Timbavati. Umlani was also awarded the Green Leaf by the Wilderness Foundation for its low environmental impact.

Click here to SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY – Let us check availability and secure a preferential rate!

Food

The food at Umlani is beyond what you would normally expect from a bush camp of this nature. Breakfasts include the usual cereals, fruit salad and yoghurts as well as a hot breakfast of your choice. Lunches covered a variety of baked home-made breads, pasta salads, spring rolls and cold meats with cheese platters. Traditional South African Braai’s were mixed with pasta and beef fillet with a red wine sauce, plenty of fresh green vegetables and even fish for those of the vegetarian persuasion.

All in all the meals were of a very high standard and I can guarantee that you wont go hungry! Umlani’s rates are fully inclusive and include a wide range of soft drinks, local alcoholic beverages and even spirits.

The Area

The Timbavati Nature Reserve borders directly on to the Kruger National Park, as well as the Klaserie and Thornybush Game Reserves.

The Reserve was established in 1956 by like-minded game farmers with the creation of the Timbavati Association. The association now has over 50 members and covers 53 000 hectares. The Timbavati is part of Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) and the fences separating Timbavati from the other member reserves in the APNR and from the Kruger National Park has been removed which means that wildlife, including lion, elephant, cheetah and other species roam freely between the these reserves. The camp itself is situated on the banks of the Shlaralumi  river, a tributary of the Olifants River.

Most importantly, Umlani has negotiated traversing rights with a number of the private landowners in the regions, allowing them to cover an area of over 10 000 ha. This is incredibly important as many of the other private lodges do not have permission to traverse onto adjacent properties – once that leopard you were following crosses the road, that’s the end of that sighting!

Game Viewing

Over our three night stay we were treated to fantastic sightings of leopard (3 separate sightings), lions, large herds of Buffalo, Elephants (incredibly relaxed), White Rhino, Zebra, Giraffe, Impala, Spotted Hyena and a number of Duiker and Steenbok. Umlani uses local guides and trackers and our combination of Elvis and Robert were great at finding game as well as providing our group with interesting facts about the animals and the area.

[View with PicLens]

Overall Experience

If you are looking for 5 star, luxurious accommodation with all the bells and whistles then Umlani is not for you. If however, you are looking for a comfortable yet rustic camp which seamlessly immerses you in nature, allows you to relax and unwind in the most beautiful of settings whilst giving you value for money, then look no further.

Click here to SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY

Villiers Steyn has added a couple of guest posts on the site in the past (Click here to view them) but is now embarking on an incredible journey North. Aptly named “Two guys, a Hilux and 14 000km’s” this post is trying to drum up some much needed support and publicity for this epic trip! Moya Wa tenga Safaris is proud to be associated with Villiers and wishes him and JI all the best! We will also make efforts to keep you up to date with their progress in the new year.

Since I can remember it has been a dream of mine to see the great wildebeest herds of the Serengeti Plains. And now, after months of planning, a departure date has been set!

On the 20^th of January 2011 one of my best friends, JI de Wet, and I will set off on an epic 70-day road trip through six African countries – South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. We will cover nearly 14000 km in our trusty Toyota Hilux “bakkie” and visit some of the continent’s most famous game reserves and national parks, including: The Magadigadi Pans in Botswana; North and South Luangwa in Zambia; Selous, Ruaha, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire in Tanzania; and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe!

The trip will be a self-drive safari with one vehicle only. This will test our navigation and driving skills to the limit, and make for the ultimate African adventure! Although we have a rough itinerary, we have not booked any accommodation. Most nights will be spent in camping grounds where we will sleep in a rooftop tent.

In order to share our adventure with people all over the world we have created a dedicated blog for the trip: www.serengetitrip.com. The blog is already live and will contain posts on the planning, packing and progress of the adventure. Read more about where we are going, why we decided to go there and even how we are modifying our vehicle! During the trip we will post daily diary entries, as well as the best photos of each day, by means of satellite equipment sponsored by Sat4Rent. So, become a follower on www.serengetitrip.com and spread the word to all your adventure- and wildlife-loving friends!

Enjoy the journey!

Villiers Steyn

If the idea of heading up North to Kenya and the vast open plains of the Serengeti, then be sure to check out our Photographic Safari Planned for February 2011 by clicking here!

28 February to 7 May 2011

Join Photo-Africa, in conjunction with Photograph Kenya, on a photographic safari to one of the world’s premiere wildlife destinations – the Masai Mara. From 28 February to 7 March 2011 Photo-Africa will be traveling to various areas in in Masai Mara, including Lake Nakuru and the Mara River, all the time looking for the best possible wildlife photographic opportunities.

The combination of a gentle climate, scenic splendor and untold numbers of wildlife makes the Masai Mara Kenya’s most popular inland destination park.  The wildlife is truly abundant and the gentle rolling grasslands ensure amazing photographic opportunities as animals are never out of sight.

The safari will be led by Gerry van der Walt and Paul McDougall. Gerry is a wildlife photographer, lodge manager and field guide who combines a passion for photography with an in depth knowledge of African wildlife.  Paul is a photographer who has been running safaris throughout Kenya for the last 6 years.

As we will be using four vehicles for our safari you will never be without a photographic leader on your vehicle as Gerry and Paul will be assisted by two other photographers, making sure you have technical and creative input when necessary.

In order to ensure your personal attention and comfort, this photographic safari will be limited to 16 participants.

Photographic Goals

During the trip we will focus on a number of photographic subjects and scenes which include:

• Predators including lions, leopard and hyena.

• White and black rhino.

• Zebra, giraffe and other general game species.

• Hippo and crocodiles.

• Flamingoes, fish eagles and other bird species.

• Animal behavior and interaction.

• Wide open landscapes of the Masai Mara.

• African sunrises and sunsets.

Apart from the above you will also have the opportunity to photograph a Masai village, and the Masai people, and we will also do our utmost to help photographers attain their own personal photographic goals during the trip.

In between drives and in the evenings we will have ample opportunity to discuss photographic techniques, the technical aspects of wildlife photography and do informal photo crit sessions with the various photo leaders on the safari.

Safari Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Nairobi – The Photograph Kenya team collects you from the airport and transfers you to a budget hotel for dinner.  After dinner a briefing will provide more details on the trip and you will also have the opportunity to ask specific photographic elated questions to prepare you for your photo safari as we discuss our photographic goals for the week.  Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 2:

We depart Nairobi at 08h00 from where we drive to the Masai Mara.  On route we will stop at the Great Rift Valley viewpoint for a couple of photos.  This is a prime location for great panoramic shots of the beautiful Great Rift Valley when on a clear day Mount Longonott can be seen. From here we continue on to Masai Mara. After lunch we will take our first drive into the reserve. We will approach the first afternoon as a photograph test-drive during which you can test your equipment, ask questions and get used to the environment.  There is a good chance of seeing many different species on this first drive including lions.  Near the campsite there are two large prides that are habituated to the vehicles so close encounters are possible. Travel to our camp for an early dinner and overnight.

Day 3:

After an early morning cup of tea or coffee and biscuits we will head out into the reserve.  Our main focus this morning will be predators and photographing them while using the early morning light to our advantage. Depending on how things go out in the field, we will return to the camp at around 10h00 for breakfast. There will be a few hours to relax at the camp or use the time to photograph the multitude of bird species that are found around the campsite. After lunch at 13h00 we leave for another drive in to the reserve.  After following up on any sightings from the morning we will explore the beautiful landscapes and photograph the many birds and animals that are found in Maasai Mara. At the end of the day we will return to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 4:

After breakfast at 06h30 we will leave for a full day in Masai Mara.  Today we will drive to the Mara River, which takes us through several territories of leopard, cheetah, black rhino and lions so chances of sightings on route are pretty good.  Upon reaching the river we will enjoy a packed lunch after which we will walk with the rangers along the river as we aim to photograph crocodiles and hippos on foot. At the end of the day we will return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 5:

After a breakfast at 06h30, we have the option of another full day drive or a morning and afternoon drive.  Our decision will be largely based on what we want to focus on for the day. As our goal is creating amazing wildlife photographs, our focus will be to photograph any species we have not seen yet or, or we will focus on particular animals to see if we can capture specific behaviour shots.  Time is no issue and we will have ample time to sit and wait for the shots we want.  After the day, dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 6:

After breakfast at 07h00, we will take a trip to a Masai Village.  This will offer great opportunities for unrestricted and no hassle people shots.  Apart from being able to visually document and photography the Masai people you will also learn about their way of life. After leaving the Masai village, we will drive to Lake Nakuru.  After lunch, we will set off on an afternoon game drive with our main aim being to find and photograph white and black rhinos.  We will also take a shot at finding leopard and photograph the abundant bird species including flamingo.  Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse at Lake Nakuru.

Day 7:

After a 06h00 game drive, we return to the guesthouse for breakfast. After breakfast we will leave Lake Nakuru and drive to Lake Bogoria for an afternoon / early evening game drive.  The goal here is to photograph the tens of thousands of flamingos on and around the lake.  In the evening we return to Nakuru where we will have dinner and spend the night at a hotel.

Day 8:

After breakfast we will leave Nakuru and drive to Lake Naivasha.  Here we will take a boat trip to view and photograph hippos, fish eagles and a multitude of other bird species.  After lunch we will return to Nairobi where we will be transferred to the airport for flights back home.

What’s Included :

• Accommodation in large tents with en-suite bathroom facilities.

• Three meals per day.

• All airport transfers.

• All transport during safari.

• Accommodation in Nairobi before (and after) safari.

• All park and government fees.

• Drivers & professional guides.

• Photographic guides.

What’s Not Included :

• Drinks (Alcoholic and soft drink).

• Items of a personal nature.

• Gratuities.

• Travel Insurance.

• Visas.

• Equipment hire (if applicable).

• International flights to and from Kenya.

Photo-Africa will be booking flights from Johannesburg, South Africa to Nairobi which are priced at around ZAR 5,000 so please contact us if you would like us to include you in our travel arrangements.

Cost

• Photographic Safari Cost:  US $ 2,500 per person sharing.

• Deposit:  A 25% deposit is payable to confirm your booking.

• Balance is payable 30 days before safari.

• Please contact us for details on single supplements.

If you would like to request a booking form or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@photo-africa.com

We believe that this photographic safari to the Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru is one of the best value for money options available and we look forward to hosting you in Kenya!

About the Organisers

Photo-Africa

Photo-Africa was born out of a passion for photography and wildlife.

Originally created in 2005 in order to share images with friends and family, Photo-Africa took off and quickly established itself as one of the most regularly updated and most followed African wildlife and photography blogs on the internet.

One thing led to the next and now, 5 years later, Photo-Africa has evolved into a company that offers workshops and photographic safaris aimed at everybody from rank beginners to seasoned pros.  By combining passion, professionalism and knowledge, Photo-Africa aims to be one of the top workshop and photo safari operators in the country.

The Photo-Africa team now consists of the following people who, between them, makes for a very unique combination of photographic expertise, services and experience.

Gerry van der Walt

After completing a degree in Sport Psychology Gerry traveled the world while working on board the Queen Mary 2, managing the onboard Health and Wellness programs and presenting enrichment lectures.  It was during this time that photography changed from a visual way in which to remember places and people into an obsession and ultimately, many years later, a career.

Upon returning from his travels Gerry moved into the lodge and hospitality industry and currently manages a game lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve.  Apart from having completed a number of photography courses Gerry is also a fully qualified Field Guide, registered with FGASA, and combines this with an infectious passion for people and sharing information when lecturing or presenting workshops.

With more than 9 years photographic experience and having lectured to many diverse groups of people from around the word, Gerry has the ability to take advanced photographic terms and principles and make them easy to understand and fun at the same time.

Gerry currently owns and manages Photo-Africa and apart from presenting workshops and photographic safaris also offers various photographic services, which includes one on one tuition, lodge & hospitality photography and lifestyle portrait photography.

Kerry de Bruyn

Kerry started taking pictures when she was about 16 and since then she hasn’t really put the camera down. Friends labeled her as tourist, taking her camera with her wherever she went, but that didn’t distract her and her passion just grew with time. Her career started out as just loving travel, wildlife, and photography but as time went on she knew it was more than just love.

Photography became a passion and mixing wildlife, people and travel into that passion became the next natural step.

Capturing natural moments in a world full of beauty made her leave her job as a journalist to pursue photography full time. She now runs Kerry de Bruyn Photography and only wishes to carry on doing what she loves and that is, borrow the moments from nature to share with the world, and in some way contribute to keeping them here for everyone to see, a long time from now.

Andrew Beck

Andrew Beck has spent much of his life in the bush and is passionate about sharing his experiences and knowledge with others.

Armed formal qualifications from the University of the Witwatersrand (MSc. & BSc. Hons in Environment, Ecology and Conservation), Tshwane University of Technology (N.Dip & B.Tech Game Ranch Management) and The Field Guides Association of South Africa (FGASA), Andrew will provide you with an experience, which is not only memorable, but also educational.

As the owner and manager of Moya Wa Tenga Safaris, Andrew is involved with all Photo-Africa transfers and travel logistics

]]> http://www.moyawatenga.co.za/photographic-safari-masai-mara-lake-nakuru-kenya-2011/feed/ 1 http://www.moyawatenga.co.za/the-endangered-wildlife-trust-launches-its-rhino-poaching-hotline-082-404-2128/ http://www.moyawatenga.co.za/the-endangered-wildlife-trust-launches-its-rhino-poaching-hotline-082-404-2128/#comments Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:18:42 +0000 Andrew Beck http://www.moyawatenga.co.za/?p=1031

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in recognising a dire need to urgently address the rapidly escalating problem of rhino poaching in South Africa, has developed a project to strengthen the security of rhino in South Africa. The Rhino Security Project is addressing rhino security concerns on privately owned game farms as well as in formally protected areas by improving communication between rhino owners and the relevant government officials, supporting investigations into rhino poaching incidences, working with relevant bodies to identify causes and drivers of the trade in rhino horn and enhancing current knowledge of, and information on the demographics of rhinos in situ in collaboration with other existing initiatives.

Through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project it has become evident that members of the public often become aware of information about poaching incidents or the sale of rhino horns which should be reported to the authorities for action. In response to this, the EWT has established a Rhino Poaching Hotline to which information can be submitted for appropriate action by the enforcement agencies or other bodies.

The EWT Rhino Hotline number is 082 404 2128 . We call on every person who becomes aware of any illegal, or suspicious activities concerning rhino poaching or the sale, movement and or trade in their horns, to please make use of this number in order to get the information to the relevant enforcement agencies. Other relevant information is knowledge of pilots or veterinarians involved in poaching through the use of aircraft and scheduled drugs and the unethical conduct of any professional hunters or outfitters to obtain rhino horn for the trade. All information will be channelled through the EWT’s Rhino Security Project’s lines of communication to the relevant authorities for investigation. Any person who wishes to stay anonymous may do so and details of callers will be protected.

With 153 rhino having been poached between January and the end of July this year, it is time that every South African citizen becomes involved in the fight against the wanton killing of our rhino. Amidst the illegal shooting of rhino by poachers on foot, there are those who also operate from the air with helicopters and dart guns. We believe that there are individuals out there who have valuable information that will greatly assist in these investigations and we urge them to make use of the Rhino Hotline to report this information.

We also request all landowners who have been approached by individuals offering to dehorn their rhino as a security measure, and at the same time buying these horns, to report this. It is an offense to capture and dehorn rhino if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this activity. Such horns must then immediately be micro chipped and declared to the authorities in order to obtain possession permits for them. It is also illegal to buy, donate, sell or dispose of rhino horn in any way whatsoever if you are not in possession of a valid permit which authorises this.

It is a criminal offense to not report wildlife crime!

The EWT’s Rhino Security Project is kindly supported by the International Rhino Foundation, the SA Mint Company, San Francisco Zoo and various individual donors.

For more information please contact:

I cant believe this is the first opportunity that i’ve had to actually sit down and add a new post to the blog category. Things have been incredibly busy but there are a lot of exciting things happening over the next couple of months as well as some really big projects for the new year!

Last week i was up at the beautiful Molori Safari Lodge in Madikwe and was lucky enough to guide some amazing guests from the USA. I never get bored of seeing peoples reactions to being in the African bush for the first time! The inevitable response is that all the TV and wildlife documentaries cant compare to being completely immersed in the sounds and smells of the bush.

We had some really good sightings of Elepehants, white rhino, lion and eventually got a nice big herd of buffalo. Although the leopards managed to elude my group, I was lucky enough to see a young male as I was driving into the reserve- in fact, I saw four of the Big5 just driving up to the lodge the day before my guests checked in! Here are some of my pics from the trip:

I’m super excited as i have a return guest coming back from the USA this weekend and we will be heading up to Umlani Bush Camp in the Timbavati Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. I have never been to Umlani before but have heard many good things about the camp. Whilst we are up there i will be putting together a destination review on the camp so keep an eye out for that on the site in the next couple of weeks.

I am also running a two night trip up to Pilanesberg National Park this month with a group of 7 people form the UK – cant wait to get back out there again!

Next month sees the first of many collaborations between Photo-Africa and Moya Wa Tenga Safaris with the inaugural Wildlife Photography 101 Workshop (WP101). The two day workshop will be held on Saturday 4th September and Saturday 11 September.

Things have started to return to normal here in South Africa after the  successful hosting of the World Cup. I would just like to take a brief moment to thank all the wonderful people that I met during the various tours and daytrips that I was involved in – I look forward to seeing you all again when you next return to our beautiful country!

This months’ desktop backgrounds are in two size formats:

• 1280 x 800 (click on the image to open it in a new window, then right click on the full image and save)
• 2560 x  1600 (simply click on the ‘Download” link)

The first of our free desktop backgrounds is of an Impala lily (Adenium multiflorum )  which is native to southeastern Africa ranging from Zambia to Mozambique and northern South Africa. During the summer months, it has large deep green leaves which fall off when the soils dry up during the winter months. Initially, for the first couple of months of the dry season the plant rests and resembles a small baobab before  bursting into masses of frilly flowers at the tips of bare branches. What makes this plant and its flowers so striking is the fact that the rest of the bushveld is bare and dry at the time of flowering.

The shiny grey to brown succelent stems of this magnificent plant rise up from a large underground rootstock and produce a poisonous watery latex.

Download the large format file here

The second image is one that I took earlier in the year whilst guiding a trip in Madikwe Game Reserve. The pack of about 18 Wild Dogs (Lycoan pictus) had just finished off their morning kill of a young Kudu and had retreated to a waterhole nearby. The long green grass which hid the dogs body as it lay down offered  nice contrast to the pale browns and dark blacks of the coat.

Download the large format file here

The scientific name Lycaon pictus is derived from the Greek for wolf and the Latin for painted, leading to one of their other common names, painted hunting dogs.

The African Wild Dog is endangered by a combination of factors which have resulted in habitat loss and persecution by farmers These animals make use of very large home ranges and so can persist only in the larger protected areas.  Like other carnivores, the African Wild Dog is sometimes affected by outbreaks of viral diseases such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. Although these diseases are not more pathogenic or virulent for wild dogs, the small size of most wild dog populations makes them vulnerable to local extinction due to diseases or other problems. Madikwe Game reserve is currently one of the best reserves to see these majestic creatures ( see more about accommodation in Madikwe here).

The third and final image for this month is of a group of zebras backlight in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, a fourth zebra was busy grazing in the foreground but I still felt that this would be a great image to have as a wallpaper or desktop background.

Download the large format file here

I hope you enjoy this months selection. As always, please feel free to leave a comment and give me some feedback on what you think about these images, as well as what you would like to see in the future!

The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a member of the cat family (Felidae)  of which both Lion and Leopard are apart of. The Cheetah is unique in that it has adapted  and evolved for high speed chases over short distances. As a result, the cheetah lacks the strength and climbing abilities of  some of the other members of this family.