There’s little or no on this world that captures my consideration like photographing African wildlife. I’ve joked with my pals that I’m addicted, however I solely half jest.
Once I’m within the African bush, I really feel completely relaxed and absolutely current. When I’m away, there’s at all times a nagging want to return.
Not too way back I indulged my behavior in each the Timbavati Recreation Reserve of South Africa and Kenya’s Amboseli Nationwide Park— two very completely different, however equally gorgeous places —throughout a two-week African picture safari.
Timbavati is understood for its leopards and dense, rugged terrain, whereas in Amboseli, elephants are the heroes together with its wide-open plains and luxurious marshes.
Mixed collectively in a single epic journey, I skilled an unforgettable journey that did nothing to quell my love of African wildlife. As an alternative, my African picture safaris solely fueled the fireplace…
READ MORE: Animals in Kenya: A Information to 40 Species of Kenyan Wildlife
Rockfig Jr.—named for the tree below which her mom was born—is a rare leopard with aquamarine eyes. We came across her after she ate up an impala, enjoyable within the grass earlier than digging in once more. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
READ MORE: Maasai Mara Conservancies: A Mannequin for Group-Based mostly Conservation in Kenya
Two zebras joust: A playful interplay I noticed virtually each day throughout my go to. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
An impressive bull elephant with spectacular tusks. This good-looking satan I’m fairly certain had modeled earlier than. He stayed close to our automobile and supplied us with a wide range of fantastic poses. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
Two male buffalos horn-wrestle in gradual movement. Whether or not it was a real quest for dominance or just a solution to reduce the boredom I’ll by no means know, however they fought for practically an hour. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
Vultures are removed from lovely for my part, however it’s wonderful how you’ll find one thing to like in the whole lot. In flight, a vulture is kind of elegant. I beloved the curve of his physique as he flew from one limb to the opposite. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
It’s early morning and a big herd of elephants walks towards a marsh within the distance. Their sheer dimension and quantity contrasted towards the simplicity of the panorama had me spellbound. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
One in all 4 lions in a coalition, this male continued to eat his fill of a buffalo carcass whereas his companions lounged lazily within the grass close by. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
Although I’ve many photographs of rhinos out within the open, I felt this picture finest captured their timid persona and their choice for thickets. For such huge, prehistoric-looking creatures, their elusive nature appears at odds with their highly effective physique. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
A child baboon that was fascinated by us impressed an equally curious grownup to take a look at our jeep. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
Everybody wants just a little love and affection. This child elephant takes a break from grazing to lean on his mom’s leg for just a little consolation. Her response? A bit lean again. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
Seeing a Large Tusker like this one within the foreground is a rarity these days day as a result of rise in poaching. I felt privileged to view such a powerful creature, and I hope he has a few years forward of him. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
The realities of life. A part of an impala face hangs from the lips of a hungry hyena– one in all many in a pack that stole a kill from an unfortunate leopard. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
The predator awaits… Okay, perhaps that’s a bit dramatic. Whereas lions do hunt utilizing the aspect of shock, this pretty feminine was truly gnawing on an impala kill hidden by the grass. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
A morning romp with the children. Hyena pups are among the cutest infants on the planet. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve
Two juvenile elephants take pleasure in a second of play. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
An epic sky after a light-weight rain made for an unbelievable backdrop of intense and moody colours. Add a herd of elephants, and the tableau appears as if it was delivered to life from a portray. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
Scattered bones litter the dried and cracked stays of Lake Amboseli. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
Two elephant cows mud themselves with soil to guard themselves from biting bugs and the tough rays of the solar. ~ Amboseli Nationwide Park
An ethereal Milky Means over South Africa is juxtaposed to a superb (although very Tim Burton-esque) tree within the foreground. ~ Timbavati Recreation Reserve –textual content and photographs by Susan Portnoy
BIO: Susan Portnoy is a communications and public relations guide who shares her adventures as The Insatiable Traveler. In the event you love eye-catching nature/wildlife images, you’ll undoubtedly wish to comply with her journeys on Fb and Twitter.)
