20. February 2017 20:02
by Rene Pallesen
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At one of the private game reserved the owner maintains a little car museum with some very cool cars.
Especially this Ferrari 335S is interesting. If it is the real thing then it is one of only five ever made where the last one sold at an auction was sold for more that 30 million pounds.
20. February 2017 20:02
by Rene Pallesen
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20. February 2017 19:02
by Rene Pallesen
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19. February 2017 17:02
by Rene Pallesen
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Towards the northern end of Kruger there is a wildlife rehabilitation centre where injured animals are cared for before returned to the wild.
Some are unfortunately in a condition where they can never be returned and these are used for educating visitors on wildlife issues.
The guide on our tour around the centre was truly amazing, very funny and very knowledgeable.
Angry Lioness:
Leopard:
Cheetah:
Chevel Cat:
Lion:
Lion with Snack:
Painted Dogs:
Hyena:
Southern Ground Hornbill:
Eagles:
Voltures:
Honey Badger:
18. February 2017 15:02
by Rene Pallesen
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In South Africa we did two days in the Kruger National Park.
The first day we hired a private guide to take us around in a 4WD and the second day we did a self drive.
With the guide we were lucky enough to spot all the Big 5 (Elephants, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino). The advantage of a guide is that they are in constant radio communications with all the other cars and therefore can track the animals. On this day it was very hot and a lot of the animals were hiding in the bush and it seemed that we spotted all the animals and called it in to the other cars.
Having the private guide was a massive advantage as we could spend the time as we wanted, so we didn't spend much time on say elephants, but we did spend 45 minutes stalking a lion hoping it would get too hot under a bush and get out into the clear.
The second day we went it was raining and a lot more challenging, but we still spotted some that we didn't see the first day.
Camera wise I knew it would be a challenge to get good photos with a normal lens and didn't have the budget or justification to spend on a fast long lens. Instead all the photos in this post were taken with my 80-200 f2.8 with a 2x teleconverter. I used my tripod as a monopod and the guide was great at moving the car into spots where I had a clear line of sight (another advantage of not having to consider other passengers).
Here are the Big 5 we spotted.
Leopard:
Lion:
Rhinos:
Elephants:
African Buffalos:
And here are some of the others such as Zebras:
Hyenas:
Giraffes:
Impalas:
Kudu:
Waterbucks:
Wothhogs:
Baboons:
Monkeys:
Guinea Fowl:
African Fishing Eagles:
Storks:
Marabous:
Turtles (These ones are predators):
Weaver birds:
Chameleons:
17. February 2017 16:02
by Rene Pallesen
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3. February 2017 08:02
by Rene Pallesen
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Leaving Zimbabwe we had the experience of the aircraft (an old B737) breaking down with engine problems prior to our departure. Although this is not uncommon, most international airports would have a team of aircraft mechanics along with spare parts to fix problems.
Victoria Falls do not have all the same facilities due to the low volume of aircraft, so in our case the pilot and co-pilot stepped up and went out to fix the problem themselves. With just a two hour delay we were back underway.
I doubt a pilot from a big international airline would step up and get his hands dirty or even have the skills to fix basic and common problems....credit go to bush pilots!
1. February 2017 15:02
by Rene Pallesen
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31. January 2017 13:01
by Rene Pallesen
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Just outside Victoria Falls there is this Baobab tree that they keep showing to tourists (behind fencing so tourists don't vandalise it). We were brought there on the way to the Boma restaurant because the other people in the bus wanted to see it.
They all went Ooooh and Ahhh by seeing it, but I must say that it is neither big or beautiful as far as Baobab trees go...even the fig trees here in Australia are bigger (and better looking).
