So 2022 is coming to an end, and it’s been a hell of a lot better than 2021. Masks came off and travel eventually opened up to something that we can remember. Slowly but surely our shackles broke, as the year moved on. This gave me the opportunity to get to work again, and I had some exceptional experiences with some of you (for which I am extremely grateful for). I wanted to close the year off with some of my highlights and experiences that I was lucky enough to witness.
Kgalagadi – March
The usually extremely dry Kgalagadi, had some record rains in February and a good photo buddy and I decided to go and check the place out. We arrived to a very green semi desert. It meant that something fascinating was bound to happen, and we weren’t wrong. As a result of the rain, a major Mole Snake eruption happened over the time that we were there. The birds were having a field day munching on the young snakes. We saw Pale chanting Goshawk hunting them several times, A Brown Snake Eagle taking one as well and even a common Fiscal battling one on the road one morning. The Predators were a little few and far between though, but we did see all the big cats and had some beautiful bird photography opportunities. This was a fantastic start to the year. We going again early next year, so really looking forward to that!
Giants Castle – April
Next up was a 3 day trip to the Drakensberg mountains, with the intention of photographing one of the rarest birds of prey in the world, the bearded Vulture. We were really lucky, as the day we arrived the first light snow fell on the Drakensberg massif. We had 2 full days in the Vulture hide and had plenty of great moments to photograph these amazing birds. It’s not to say that we only photographed the Vultures, as the forests around the camp gave us some awesome shots of plenty of birds.
Madikwe- May and September
I hosted 2 really good Photographic workshops to this fascinating reserve. We were blessed with some really good predator and bird sightings. But I believe this is probably the best reserve in South Africa for the large pachyderms. The Elephant and Rhino sightings on Madikwe are numerous and often of very high photographic quality. The light on Madikwe is also really special, and we were treated to some glorious light over the 2 workshops.
Phinda Private Game Reserve – August
I hosted an incredibly special Belgian family on a private safari to Phinda. The biodiversity of Phinda in the special on this reserve. We were treated to some decent Cheetah sightings, Lions and some really nice Leopard sightings. But what keeps me coming back to Phinda is the birds. There are so many special birds on this patch of Africa, some highly endemic and localised. I truly beautiful part of South Africa!
Timbavati Private Game Reserve- July
I hosted one of the most humble photographers I have ever met in July. He is an award winning photographer and is extremely accomplished on his camera, but you would never know it. We spent 3 days in the Timbavati. The brief was African Wild dogs and shots at night with a spotlight. And we got the brief sorted and more!!!
Masai Mara- October
My travelling ended in late October, with a late season safari to the Masai Mara. It was as you image! The frequency of predator sightings are out of this world. The last of the Wildebeest migration were completing the last of the crossings. I total we had 11 Cheetah sightings, 9 Lion sightings, 4 Leopard sightings, innumerable Spotted Hyena sightings and 2 Lion hunts and a Cheetah hunt. Wildlife on the next level. I spent 2 days on my own, before the group joined.
I would like to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas and a phenomenal 2023. I look forward to travelling with you all in 2023.
Merry Chritmas
Darren
