Elephants love dust bathing. It helps with cooling and to irritate parasites, tick, and flies.
#thespringboklodge #nambitireserve #elephantwalksa
We were so lucky to have seen three Cheetahs join up together. However, while the two males standing had a clear interest in the female, she was not interested and made it clear. The males smelling the ground are testing for her oestrus status.
#thespringboklodge #cheetahs #elephantwalksa #cellphotography
When the focus kicks in, everything else around you becomes secondary. Cheetahs love elevated positions to see prey long distance. Using the dam wall, her sight focused on some Impala, which did get away but watch the body language.
#thespringboklodge #nambitireserve #cellphotography #elephantwalksa
It is that time if the year again when rain while much needed can be a challenge for the vehicles when out on safari. Guest safety is one of our major priorities on drive, and so each guide undergoes 4by4 training, which covers three parts.
Part 1 - Understanding the difference between high and low range.
A day was spent learning and understanding the difference between high range and low range gears in a four-wheel drive (4x4) vehicle. Learning for the guides is essential for tackling various driving conditions. Here’s a breakdown of how they function and when to use each:
**High Range (4H)**
High range gears are used for regular driving conditions where extra traction is needed, such as on light off-road terrains, gravel roads, and snowy or slippery surfaces.
It allows you to drive at higher speeds, it maintains a standard gear ratio similar to that of a typical two-wheel drive vehicle. This means the power is distributed evenly to all four wheels without significantly altering the overall speed and torque.
**Low Range (4L)**
The low range gears are designed for challenging off-road conditions requiring maximum torque and control, such as steep inclines, deep mud, sand, rocks, and heavy towing scenarios. It operates at much lower speeds, typically under 30 km/h. The gear ratio is reduced, increasing the torque delivered to the wheels. This provides greater control and power, allowing the vehicle to navigate difficult terrains slowly and carefully.The main use is for extreme off-road conditions where maximum traction and power are needed. Low range gears help prevent wheel spin and enable precise maneuvering over obstacles.
Part 2 is coming as soon as the rain hits! 😅
#4by4 ##thespringboklodge #elephantwalksa
Boys will be boys, and we love to mess around in the dam playing games and having fun. Elephants taking a break from the heat and enjoying a much needed swim to cool down
#thespringboklodge #elephantwalksa #elephants
Buffalo
When you know you have just found the best masseuse in town and no vehicle full of people is going to stop your massage. Buffalo will often scratch up and rub themselves on trees and bushes. This helps marking territory and pulling mud off the body, removing ticks and parasites.
#thespringboklodge #cellphotography #elephantwalksa #nambitireserve
"King of the Jungle"
If there is one thing our male lions learned from their last encounter with the Buffaloes, it is that there is a good reason they are part of the big five. They can instinctively change into a highly aggressive and formidable force with a herd mentality of attack and destroy. Watch how they send the lion males packing and barely pay attention to the females. Reminder for those joining, the buffaloes on Nambiti have once before killed a female Lioness and thrown the males into the air, demonstrating their strength.
#thespringboklodge #lions #cellphotography #nambitireserve #elephantwalksa
A male cheetah crouched low in the grass, his eyes locked onto a baby mpalas lying hidden nearby. The thrill of the hunt is a primal instinct honed over many years.
The cheetah's muscles tensed as he prepared to sprint. He knew that timing was everything. With a sudden burst of speed, he exploded from hIS hiding spot, hIs body a blur of motion. The baby impala barely realized what was happening, but the male cheetahs focus remained unbroken.
Within seconds, he closed the distance to his target. With a powerful leap, he brought the impala down, his claws digging into its flesh. The thrill of the chase was over, but the hunt was not yet complete.
In the wild, the act of hunting is not just about survival. It is also a display of nature's raw and often brutal reality. The males instincts told him to keep the impala alive for a moment longer to ensure it was subdued. This behavior, seen in many predators, can appear cruel to human eyes. The prey, still alive, would struggle and fight, a desperate attempt to escape its fate.
For the cheetah, this was a necessary part of the hunt. By keeping the impala alive, he ensured that it would not attract other predators with its death throes and bleating calls. It was a calculated decision, one that balanced the need for food with the dangers of the wild.
As the impala's struggles weakened, the male cheetah finally delivered the fatal bite, ending its suffering. The hunt was over, and the brothers could now feed.
While it may seem cruel, this behavior is a vital part of the ecosystem, maintaining the balance of nature, ensuring that only the strongest and fittest prey survive to pass on their genes.
Nature's ways can be harsh, but they are also a testament to the resilience and adaptability of life.
#thespringboklodge #nambitreserve #cheetahs #impala
#elephantwalksa
My favorite animals in the bush are giraffe and elephant. Giraffe as they are so unique, and besides zoos, there is not much around the world that compares to them. Elephants, as this was part of my first job when I started guiding. Follow them for 6 months, learn their habits, watch what they eat, sleep, and drink. They are also such characters at times.
#thespringboklodge #cellphotography #nambitireserve #elephantwalksa #elephants
One of the reasons we love ❤️ doing tours around KZN and #thespringboklodge at Nambiti Game Reserve is the area not only offers the beach, coastal life, diving in Sodwana, Aliwal shoal, you have the game reserves (malaria free) and the deep history of the battles between the Zulu and the British.
Check out some of our favorites for guests on the Battlefields tours.
These can be run from the lodge. However, 3 or 4 day stays are recommended for the safari and the Battlefields combined.
#thespringboklodge #nambitireserve #cellphotography #battlefield #wildlifephotography
Discover Africa like never before with our bespoke tours, tailored just for you. Whether you're craving the thrill of adventure, the endless safari, or the serenity of secluded beach landscapes, our personalized itineraries are designed to suit your unique tastes and interests. Travel with @elephantwalksa to uncover hidden gems, indulge in local cultures, and create unforgettable memories. Let our expert guides craft a journey that is truly yours, ensuring every moment is as extraordinary as your dreams. Let’s start planning today!
Check out some of the Drakensberg adventures.
#cellphotography #drakensberg #hiking #elephantwalksa
Too often, we get caught up in our daily routines and don't always get around to some of our hobbies. You probably would not believe me if I told you over the years of guiding, I have built up over 30000 pictures and video clips of wildlife. Recently, I finally got to put some of the footage together, and the journey is incredible when you look back and remember these moments. Hope you love ❤️ them too.
#thespringboklodge #cellphotography #elephantwalksa #lions
