DreadLion Safaris

10/09/2024

Rhinos are huge. You look at them and really wonder at them cuz they look like they are from a different time. Almost dinosaur in size and shape and the black rhinos have a mean disposition. Those have been hunted to near extinction all for the horn. These two mother and calf, have obviBously been cooling off in a mud wallow. The idea being you sit in the mud and roll around in it cake yourself all over with the wet cool slimy mud. Then as it dries off it cools you down. Like a portable airconditioner. Then the side benefit is when it is all dried up you scrape it off on a convenient tree or a rock and all those pesky ticks and bloodsucking parasites that are on your skin are slighted off by the mud being scraped off. Exfoliation in the bush. Most Large mammals do this, in fact even warthogs who are not really that big use the same technique. This cute little guy has been busy at it as well. Literally coated like icing on a cake. Too cute.

09/09/2024

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO WISHED ME FOR MY 60TH BIRTHDAY. THANKS FOR THE LOVE. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

06/09/2024

TIME FOR TRUTH!

05/09/2024

Blogging again.....

Africa, photography, wildlife, camping, touring, backpackers, photographers, explore Africa, South Africa,

03/09/2024

THIS IS GOING TO BE A FANTASTIC TRIP!
REACH OUT... LETS GO!

03/09/2024

https://exploreafrica4x4.blogspot.com/
Blogging again after a 3 year hiatus, I have started chronicling my time in the bush. sighting by sighting, with pix and videos. Welcome to my blog.

Africa, photography, wildlife, camping, touring, backpackers, photographers, explore Africa, South Africa,

03/09/2024

Large plains antelope are found in a whole range of colours, from sable antelope which are black to Gemsbok that are silver grey with fashionable stripes to Hartebeest which are a lovely rusty brown. The amazing thing though is that all their calves are fawn in color. A wildebeest calf looks almost like a Gemsbok calf when they are born. The reason is that the calves camouflage better against the brown earth for a time until they are a few months older and better able to escape predation.
I found this Gemsbok calf and its parents running thru the tall grass and I thought the parents were chasing a hyena ahead of them. It was only when they broke through the cover and crossed the road that I realized the truth. It was a tiny baby Gemsbok. We sat and watched mom and dad stay close to the little fella, touching noses and reassuring him that he was safe.
With long sharp pointed horns, a sturdy body weighing in at close to 600 pounds a gemsbok is no pushover and add the maternal instinct to define rage and you have a winning combination. A good 16 feet of sharp horns with angry mom and dad behind them makes any one feel totally at peace.

28/08/2024

It was the dead hours in the Kgalagadi, sun shining high in the sky, animals looking for cover from the blistering heat, and we were driving along among the dunes just hoping for something interesting to come along. A movement barely visible in the red sand on the left caught my eye and I slowed down. There is something there I said and my guest looked and said it seems like a cat but its bigger with big ears. CARACAL!!! I could not believe it. My first sighting of this usually nocturnal cat. Parked by the side and all of us stared as this amazingly handsome cat walked through the dunes and the clumps of grass. The red colouring of this cat blends in so well with the red sand in the dunes, it is really not easy to see as you drive along. This was a dream come true for me, my first sighting, how amazing. It’s a medium size cat about the size of a mid size dog, like a Dalmatian, the fur is rough and rust red, but it’s the ears that stick out quite literally. They have tufted ears that are really long and black at the back. Makes them look quite striking. They are great bird hunters, and will take young antelope or small antelope from time to time. This was such a handsome creature, we were all completely taken by him.

27/08/2024

It was early morning in the deep winter and the sun was late rising. We had just entered the Kgalagadi and were heading out on drive with the sun rising to our right, heading north on the Nossob road. The mornings are simply awesome in the Kgalagadi and we were taking it all in. A cluster of cars ahead showed us something was up and as we got there, I saw in the distance on the left up on the dune was the leopard. Leopards are rare to see anywhere, and in the Kgalagadi they are few and far between. Not just any leopard, this was Botshelo, the boss of the southern section. He was sun worshipping, soaking in the warmth after a cold Kgalagadi night. Temperature in the desert in winter can go below freezing and at sunrise that day it was -3 C. He began to move and was heading east for the road. The waterhole I thought and we went straight there much to the surprise of the other motorists, (who leaves a leopard sighting?), but there is a method to my madness. I got a perfect spot with the sun behind me at the waterhole and parked. Waited. We got our first glimpse of him through the trees and tall grass. He was in no rush, just walking along cool as can be meandering a little and then came straight for the waterhole. What an incredible feeling to have a leopard in front of us, totally relaxed drinking. He drank for a while, I mean he must have had a kill last night because he sat and drank for some time. Always alert, head up looking around now and then and continued drinking. Then finally stood up and gave us all a razzberry and left majestic as before. What an incredible time it was, my first Kgalagadi leopard. Awesome.

03/08/2024

its been a long time coming..... but its here.

Welcome to DreadLion Safaris, your premier destination for unforgettable wildlife and cultural tours in Africa and India. With over 14 years of expertise in crafting exceptional experiences, we take pride in our commitment to excellence and our passion for showcasing the beauty and diversity of the....

29/07/2024

HAPPY WORLD TIGER DAY My greatest tiger sighting of all time was in Zone 6 in Ranthanbhore. April 9th afternoon safari. A mating pair with all the joys and upsets were on display across the landscape. We were in a cliff overlooking the scene. A sloth bear stumbled upon them and after a show of anger from the tigress, she charged her not knowing that a male was nearby as well. She has 2 cubs in her back clinging on for dear life and she really gave the 2 tigers hell. She charged them repeatedly for 10 minutes and they both gave ground each time. Finally she was done and walked off into the forest leaving the interrupted lovers with a lot to talk about.

29/04/2024

The road block of dreams at the Kruger.

01/04/2024

Back in Africa. Remembering the great times. That car took me every where. Tropic of Capricorn was a red letter day.

14/08/2023

Birding in Perth, Australia. Herdsman lake really delivered. WAS a great outing.

19/09/2022

Serval cat in the Maasai Mara. These long legged cats love the long grass to hunt in for birds and rodents. Watched this one for a while but no luck hunting.

03/09/2022

Ballooning in the Masai Mara. A once in a lifetime experience.

31/08/2022

The dry season persists in the Amboseli NP. Giraffes walk across the dusty plains in the shimmering heat. Elephants doing a little better in what remain of the wetlands.

07/05/2022

Join us on an unforgettable journey to witness the greatest spectacle on 🌎 Earth this year. The wildebeest Migration in East Africa.  

01/04/2022

I like both of these.the light behind sets them up nicely. Which one do you like?

26/01/2022

Botshelo, boss of the Aoub. In his element.

22/12/2021

Pale chanting goshawk. Icon of the Kgalagadi.

10/12/2021

Young Indian Rhino with his mom on the road right at our vehicle. An amazing feeling. We found another one the previous day far Way sleeping by the waterhole.  

24/11/2021

I just spent 6 nights on a boat in the mangrove swamps of the Sundarbans Tiger reserve looking for tigers. Saw my first peregrine falcon. Who knew! We had a brief tiger sighting on the 3rd day. Then on the last day, before we left we spent almost 30 minutes with a real beauty. An amazing ride. I will be returning with DreadLion Safaris.

16/11/2021

Little tough guy.  

15/11/2021

Purple heron in the Sabie river in the Kruger. Just by the low water Bridge there is a marshy reed edge where the basking hippos and crocodiles love to laze in the sun. Found this guy right there intent on his fishing.

14/11/2021

This was my first close Caracal sighting. Truly a memorable time of a great week in the Kgalagadi.

13/11/2021

Lions moving to a shadier spot in the middle of the day in Kruger. It gets pretty hot in the summer. Don't blame them at all.

12/11/2021

Pole position with lions on the prowl. The day does not get better. We'll it would if we had seen a kill but you know pole position is pretty good.

08/11/2021

A bold look that says she knows what what is doing and does not care what I think. Good for you girl.   lovers