African Private Safari- Kenya, Zambia and Botswana.

Below are some images from a privately guided safari through some of East and Southern Africa's finest wildernesses. Words falls grossly short when trying to account for each day on this very eventful and enjoyable safari so I will only mention some of highlights and hope that the images and guest comments scattered through the post will do the rest:

• Arriving at Ol Jogi to hundreds of animals in front of the lodge including Gerenuk, Reticulated Giraffe, Gevy's Zebra and Beisa Oryx. 
• The big five on day one including Black Rhino, mating Lions, a leopard with the most amazing yellow eyes, driving back from Bush dinner and bumping a large male lions strolling down the same path as us.
• Lions killing a zebra 600 meters from camp shortly after arriving in the Maasai Mara. 
• The second leopard of the trip strolling non-chalantly within inches of our car. 
• Witnessing from start to finish five (yes five!!) cheetah killing a wildebeest on the grass plains.
• Bumping into Jane Goodhall at Wilson airport in Nairobi. 
• Surrounded by dozens of Elephants crossing the Chobe river in the most stunning afternoon light.
• Six leopards in total on this safari including a hige male sprwled on a branch in an ancient tree in the Okavango delta. 
• Guest catching two great Tiger Fish - and me none!!

Kenya
Ol Jogi - Laikipia

Reticulated Giraffe from a ground level hide. 

The first of six Leopard we saw on safari. 

Getting to know the conservation challenges faced by wildlife in Africa. 

Grevy's Zebra.

Bizarre looking Gerenuk antelope. 

Luch stop, overlooking the Laikipia Plateau. 

House guest!!

Kenya
Mara Expedition Camp - Maasai Mara

Not even at camp yet, a pride caught a Zebra 600 meters from camp.

Right in the action, Great Plains Mara Expedition tented camp. 

A young leopard with striking blue-green eyes. 

And not shy of vehicles - she walked straight through camp later that night. 

A great way to see the great savannah. 

Observing 5 cheetah shortly after their successful Wildebeest Kill. 

How we roll. 

Kenya
Nairobi

More conservation insights in Nairobi. 

Zambia
Victoria Falls - Livingstone

Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island. 

Botswana
Chobe Chilwero - Chobe River

Elephant viewing on the Chobe river. 

Cooling off during late morning. 

Chobe offers some of the best Hippo viewing. 

More ellies. 

Botswana
Vumbura Plains - Okavango Delta

The pose everyone is looking for on safari!

Lioness portrait. 

Exploring the Delta's channels. 

Yes, that is a road. 

Vumbura Campfire. 

Red Lechwe

Safari in Style. 

Excerpts from our guest book:

Thank you yet again for another fantastic trip. For me the highlight us hearing and seeing Africa come alive in my family experiencing it for the first time. I can't imgine doing Africa without you. Take good care - S.T - Seattle. 

Thank you for guiding us through this amazing trip. I really hope  to see you soon, H. C. (12 years old).

... you make it look so easy. We have enjoyed our travel immensely. Thank you for keeping me fed :). Can't wait till our next adventure.  A. C 

I am gratefull for your guidance through this experience of a lifetime. Your passion for this beatiful land, people, animals and culture come though in all you have said and done this week. To have had fun with my family has been awesome, just awesome! Thank you for your many kindnesses shown to me - you have made many activities possible for me. Many - so many wonderful memories. Fondly, A. A. 

I can't express the gratitude I have for all you did to make my families trip one we will remember for a lifetime. Life is a series of memories, experiences and friends made along the way. You are a friend. Our time together was very special. And I will never forget the fishing trip. M.C. 

Words can't express what a wonderful, magnificent time I have had. What a wonderful person you are to be part of our family for a few days to show us this absolutely beautiful country. Thank you so very much for everything you have done for us. L.W.  

Wildlife Photography for the kids!

Photography is not only a great hobby but also a valuable tool in today’s highly visual lifestyle we lead. Facebook, Instagram and a host of other platform allow photographers to showcase their craft while communicating interesting or important ideas, news and messages. Additionally it is not limited to a certain subject and one can pretty much photograph anything visible. Add creative flair and all of a sudden one enters the realm of art.

Photographing wildlife is certainly some of the most exciting genres of this craft. Imagine trying to capture a big, black-maned lion’s stare while he is strolling straight towards you or trying to get a clear image of a young leopard cub in dense undergrowth and you will agree with me.

The beauty is that kids can also get involved. It is very interesting and satisfying to see the development of this skill. At first a mere photo does the job but as skills are learned over a few day the bar is raised and al of a sudden everyone becomes more critical about light, composition and all the other aspects making a great photo. And without realizing it, kids learn a valuable skill, which may come in handy later in life, all while having lots of fun. Have a look at the below selection of great pictures taken by some of our young guests on a recent family photo safari.

And remember – you don’t have to buy all these expensive gear when trying your hand at wildlife photography. We do rentals!

Harry Brown.

Harry in action!

Ground level view of a majestic elephant bull drinking. 

A decisive action image of a Tawny Eagle taking off. Note how the habitat is captured in this shot.

An intimate moment between a mother Cheetah and her cub

A clear view of a leopard cub in dense grass.

Yet another great capture of mother and cub interaction. This time a Spotted Hyena. 

Mason Brown

The winner of our friendly competition!

Mason in action.

Need I say more. What a shot!

A cure moment as a baby baboon glance back at the photographer. 

Superb action as an elephant descends a steep riverbank. 

Enter the realm of fine art.

Another striking black and white conversion of a Hyena cub. 

Levi Brown

Levi in action.

Need we say more - What a great action image!

Retaining the color in the images Levi still managed to capture a great arty image. 

Small things like this water droplets elevates a normal image to new hights. 

One of the best compositions of the entire safari as a nesting White-fronted Bee-eater returns to its perch. 

Levi was the only one who managed to capture a rare African Wildcat in very difficult lighting conditions. 

Mashatu - Private Wildlife Photographic Safari

We were rewarded with this magnificent male lion on our first game-drive,

Bordered by Mapungubwe National park to the south in South Africa and a wilderness area to the east in Zimbabwe, this vast and unfenced reserve within the greater Northern Tuli Game Reserve remains a firm favorite. Seasonal rivers cut through dry savannah landscapes creating a diverse and scenic stage, all set for an exciting safari.  This would be the third time I have joined the Brown family on one of their photographic safaris and having come to know them over the years it was sure to be a fun trip. 

Africa is about the wildlife though and having spent time at Mala Mala on previous safaris, I was very interested to hear everyone’s thoughts about this destination.

Early morning on drive and ready to shoot!

The first photo opportunity was a herd of elephant out in the open and swathed in beautiful soft evening light. Later on we located the first big cat, a fantastic looking male Lion. Unfortunately he was doing what lions do best and slept in a most un-photographable pose. Only when two females made their appearance from nearby bushes did he het up and stated following them allowing some brief photos.

The first of 6 Cheetah we saw on this safari were a two male coalition.   

It’s not only about the big stuff though and a variety of sightings ranging from Black-backed Jackals to dainty Steenbok ensured that there was never a dull moment. That and the constant flow of jokes from everyone on the back! As could be expected Cheetah was also high on everyone’s wish list. Although Mashatu is one of the bets places to see Cheetah it can never be guaranteed. Our luck was in though. On day three we found a two males stretched out on one of the scenic kopjes of the concession. It got even better when a female who hasn’t been seen in month arrived in the concession with three cubs in tow.

This female cheetah with her 3 cubs moved into the area during our stay.

The last evening light reflects into the deep=set eyes of the young Cheetah. 

Elephant also provided interesting viewing as each morning they made a bee-line mini migration to the east of the concession returning later in the afternoon only to do the same the next day. Nonetheless they provided amazing viewing and superb photo opportunities.

Early morning elephant herd moving past. 

Boisterous baby Elephant in a riverbed. 

Surrounded by a protective shield of adults.

An intimate moment as a mother Spotted Hyena moved her cub to a new den.

Another great morning was spent at a Spotted Hyena den. The mother was in the process of moving the cubs and obligingly moved them within clear view of us. It’s a privilege indeed to be able to catch glimpses of these intimate moments, often hidden from view. 

A young male leopard getting ready for the night.  

Leopards were also on top form and we managed to locate no less that 5 individual animals over the five nights we were there.

Interesting colored Tawny Eagle.

Birds make the bush come alive and we worked our way through the reserves list. I found it particularly of interest as I recently did a dedicated birding safari further down the Limpopo basin in Pafuri. While only a few hundred kilometers away, Mashatu offers a completely different suite of birds such as Namaqua sandgrouse for instance, which reached the limit of their distribution. Eagles and other birds of prey were regularly seen and these included Tawny, African Hawk and African Fish Eagle as well as Pearls Spotted Owlet and White-backed Vulture.

Some fun pics on safari below. 

Wildlife photography of a different kind. 

Mashatu is one of the best places to observe elephant. 

Completely in charge of the safari!!