Birding on Safari

On Safari, most people are so excited to see the Big 5 or the larger walking wildlife. But I am going to add, keep a lookout for birds. There are so many lovely birds you will get to spot on Safari. From the common but oh so beautiful lilac-breasted roller to the lifers. You know what I am talking about if you are a birder?

Into birding, do let us know before you head out on Safari. We will let our guide know so he can bring all the birding books for you and him to pour into on your game drive. If not, just enjoy them with your binoculars.

You will find hundreds of resident birds and many that fly all the way from Europe and Americas. Those birds that have flown from other places come here to Tanzania and other East and Southern African countries at the risk of being netted. A lot of countries on their route will poach and illegally trap them. 

But there is hope.

Organizations around the world who love birds are spreading the word to people like me who were not aware of such activities. My mentor, Safari guide extraordinaire Paul Oliver was the one who opened my eyes when we were birding in Lake Natron. He told me about the plight of the wadders, who are being netted by the thousands when flying over the Mediterranean countries.

I leave you with some lovely birds captured on my Safaris. Every time I go on Safari, I learn to love them more and more. Let your guide tell you more about each bird. They all have personalities that are unique to each of them. From the calls, the nesting habits, the show boating behavior to attract mate[s], etc. They have their own stories you will truly enjoy.

Your turn? Come shoot them .. with your camera.  

Lilac Breasted Roller

Buffalo Weaver

African Hornbill

Red-and-Yellow Barbet

African Hoopoe

African Fish Eagle

Weaver

Leopard Day!

One of my favorite animals to photograph is the leopard. In the presence of the leopard, you feel so privileged as you have now entered a group that has seen an animal not easily spotted on Safari.

Leopards are elusiveness; they hide up in the trees, in the cracks of kopjes, and because they are usually solitary animals, searching for them is that much trickier and the excitement level high. Our guides will be finding subtle clues; the birds call, the shake of a branch, the handing leg of a recent kill - a good guide is a must on Safari.

When you do see one, especially up-close, you can’t help but have your hair rise because you can see the powerfulness of this predator and if your eyes meet, you can see through their soul.

Photographing them has been a goal on every Safari of mine because every encounter solidifies my love for these beautiful predators. I have been lucky to see them on most of my Safaris. Some from really far away and others really close. I remember seeing one really far away in Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania. We were on the hunt for this leopard called Onca - names because it’s spots were really dark like the jaguars in the Amazon forest. Well, we did not see Onca but we did see a silhouette of the leopard from far away.

The closest I have been was in Botswana. We were on an early morning game drive from Machaba Camp when our guide got a call to come quick. We held on to our seats and boom - wild dogs and two leopards. A mama and young leopard perched on a tree limb, looking at the beautiful sunrise. Magic moments on Safari.

Leopards can be spotted in all the parks in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, and South Africa.
Where will you be on Safari to see your leopard?
Let’s chat Safaris.

You never know who'll join you for your meal.

Always be ready to share as you never know who will join you for your meals on your Safari.

Our guests have had a range of non-human visitors. Who will it be for you? The hornbill sharing your breakfast muffin [from Oliver’s Camp in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania], the vervet monkey pouring himself a coffee [from Tongabezi in Victoria Falls, Zambia], … you tell us after your Safari somewhere in amazing Africa.

“Observe the wilderness; there is no greater teacher. Observe yourself in the wilderness; there’s no better way to notice your own smallness, incompleteness, incompetence, divinity. We’re a part of this world, not apart from it, of course.” 
-Alexandra Fuller .

Let’s get the ball rolling for your Safari.