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A selection of my wildlife photos from South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Hope you enjoy!

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A herd of about 200 Cape Buffalo were crossing the road in front of us. Very luckily another vehicle came up on the other side, illuminating the beasts one by one.

Imposing Cape Buffalo picking a bush to pieces. Very grumpy, very difficult to negotiate, and very unpredictable.

Taken between Maroela and Satara in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

The immense Cape Buffalo, looking placid and bored, but hiding its incredible potential rage.

Taken near Tshokwane, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Another Cape Buffalo, this time closer up to show the almost lazy expression they have when grazing. Make no mistake, though, these are not just big cattle.

Taken near Tshokwane, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Yet another Cape Buffalo. I love the way they stand and stare at you as if you are being incredibly irritating. We probably were, but the Buffalo can take some blame too on account of their incredibly grumpy nature.

Taken near Tshokwane, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Baboons are one of my first and fondest memories of my first trip to South Africa. They're also one of it's most entertaining residents, so imagine my joy when we came across family after family of them by the sides of the roads.

This mother and baby were snapped near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Baboons can keep you engaged for hours simply by the way they move and the things they do. This little individual was entranced with the berries he kept finding.

Taken along the Chobe River, Botswana.

A mother and baby Chacma Baboon have spotted something of interest. No doubt they'll be over there shortly to play with it.

Taken along the Chobe River, Botswana.

Cheetah feasting. Taken at Bundox Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

This Cheetah was wandering through the bush, periodically being distracted by the flies around her. The heat of the African day often makes Cheetahs walk around with a gormless mouth-open expression - in fact their approach to panting. Beautiful nevertheless.

Everyone's favourite friendly Cheetah, taken in the half-light at Bundox Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Cheetah adult sits still for its picture at De Wildt Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Female adult Cheetah wanders over to our truck at De Wildt Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Cheetahs always look pensieve, even sad at times. It's not just the black lines below their eyes - there's something about the shape of the mouth and forehead. Maybe one day we'll find out what they're so sad about, but I think they're still very pretty.

Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Cape Buffalos are probably the most dangerous mammal in Africa. This one was particularly skittish, so we kept our distance once the cameras were away. Taken in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Southern District, Zambia.

This gorgeous red dragonfly was sunning itself for ages. Long enough for me to change lenses and try a macro shot anyway. Taken at Tshukudu, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Almost posing, this dragonfly remained motionless until well after we had passed it. At first glance it could almost have been an unusual shaped plant.

Taken in the Okavango Delta, Bostwana.

The very timid and fragile-looking Common Duiker. Known mainly for hiding and sitting very still, they are nontheless very beautiful. This one was particularly tame, and even seemed to be posing for some of the shots.

Taken near Moogkophong, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

This is an Eland Antelope - the largest antelope species in the world. They are massive, and have huge horns. A particularly shy species, it is usually exceptionally difficult to get close to them, which is why I was so pleased with this shot.
Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Elephants are a regular feature along the sides of the roads in some Southern African countries. This one followed the road for a while before heading off into the bush to knock some trees over. Typical Elephant then.

Taken near Pandamatenga, Northeastern Province, Botswana.

Well, this is what most people want to see in Africa, and this Elephant didn't disappoint us. Wild African Elephants are absolutely huge, and we were very lucky to have so long to stand and stare before she became aware of our presence. Being on foot, we had to make a fairly sharp exit after she realised we were there.

Taken in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Silhouetted Elephant against the intense haze and brightness of the afternoon sun. Elephants are abundant along the waterways of Southern Africa, and their presence is generally prohibitive to other animals.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

A family of Elephants make their way down to the water as the sun goes down. This is a procession performed by all animals around this time of day - a photographer's dream when you're on the water, and you're likely to see some real action.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

As I took this photo an unusual part of it caught my eye - an almost perfect map of Africa painted in water on the side of this Elephant. I swear there has been no manipulation on this photo!

A particularly bold and assertive Elephant proves that the road might be used by cars, but only Elephants dictate what's allowed to travel on it.

Taken in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Throughout the Kruger, Elephants wander in and out of the thick vegetation and emerge when you least expect them. A nuisance to the plants and trees, the park is suffering from an overpopulation problem.

Taken in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Lurking in the winter trees, a lone adult male Elephant is chewing his way through foliage and rubbing against trees. Less destructive than some of his counterparts we spotted, this Elephant was nevertheless enormous and definitely not one to play games with.

Taken near Tshokwane, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

This four-month old orphaned lion cub was being reared at a park in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Lion cubs require constant attention - he certainly got his fair share.

The Gemsbok (pronounced with the Afrikaans guttural

An orphaned Gemsbok calf, who needed human attention all day long, and who frequently took it upon herself to escape into the nearby bush.

Taken near Moogkophong, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

So I guess what most people would think of when they think of Africa looks something like this. And they'd be absolutely right! Wild giraffes pick away at the trees by the sides of the roads in Botswana, and like to stand in front of beautiful scenery and wait for passers by to take their photo. I think.

This young giraffe was very cautiously bending over to take a drink from a waterhole in the blazing midday sun. Oxpeckers are getting a free ride too.

Taken near Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

This aging female giraffe has started to take on a silvery hue as her fur pattern changes, which glows beautifully as the sun rises. Taken in Khama, Southern District, Botswana.

Wild giraffes are truly enormous (much larger than the ones often seen in zoos for instance), and come in an extremely variable range of patterns, shades and colours.

This one had very dark patches compared to his

A change from all the carnivores I've been posted just recently - this beautiful male giraffe was gorging himself on the trees by the side of the road. He wandered out of the bushes and we didn't see him until he was practically on top of our truck - they blend in very well with the bushland!

Taken on the road to Satara in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Another shot of this unusually dark-coloured giraffe, this time with a little perspective thrown in and hopefully showing the landscape a little better.

Taken on the road to Satara in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Giraffes have mastered the art of eating Acacia thorns without raking their digestive tract to pieces. Apparently it's all in the way they pick them off the branches.

Taken near Maroela, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Yet another Kruger Giraffe, this time in detail. Giraffes are one of the few animals in Africa gracious enough to sit still just long enough to get shots of them.

Taken near Satara in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Animals in KNP tend to treat the road as if it's not there. This giraffe was on the horizon one minute, and the next was making a beeline for us. We wisely gave him his personal space and more as he crossed.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

A young giraffe adopts the very awkward, and indeed infamous, drinking position favoured by giraffes. Their long tracheas become occluded when they're in this position, and so the giraffe must right itself regularly in order to breathe.

Taken near Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Classic hippo shot. Chobe National Park, Northern District, Botswana

Hippopotamus letting us know who's boss. Taken in the Chobe National Park, Northern District, Botswana

Very large and vocal Hippopotamus asserting his dominant presence for everyone to see.

Taken on the Chobe River, Bostwana.

Almost smiling, at least sneering, this hippo was in no hurry to return to the water - the sun was going down and the surrounds were beautiful. I don't blame him for wanting a better look.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

Another, closer shot of a particularly wide-mouthed hippo. I did feel slightly nervous perched on the front of a tiny little boat waiting for this shot, but I fortunately came away in one piece.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

Yellow-Billed Hornbill looking for food at Tshokwane, in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Ask any bush guide in Southern Africa about Impala, and one of the first thing's they'll tell you about is the warning-sign tail signalling these wonderful little antelope use to communcate with each other, and that they are

The somewhat slight, but still very much impressive, male Impala has beautiful horns that form a very elegant arc. Fast, nervous and very vulnerable, they are constantly on the look out for enemies - and females.

Taken near Orpen Gate, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Anywhere and everywhere, herds of Impala dart across the road at a moment's notice in Southern Africa. Because of them, and of course larger beasts, it is considered suicidal to take to the roads at night in the more rural parts of Southern Africa.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

I shot this on the Chobe River, Botswana. This Pied Kingfisher took flight as our boat got just a little too close. No hard feelings!

A very well behaved Pied Kingfisher that allowed me to get close enough to snap this.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

The incredible male Kudu, with its huge spiral horns, is the symbol of the Kruger National Park, as well as South Africa at large. The Rugby legacy of the Springbok has led to it being falsely cast in the public's eye as being 'the South African animal' (actually from Namibia and the very northwestern parts of SA), when traditionally it has always been this spectacular antelope.

Taken on the road heading into Orpen, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

The absolutely stunning, yet surprisingly common, Lilac-Breasted Roller Bird. Found across Southern Africa, though quite difficult to photograph I have to say.

Taken in the road between Maroela and Satara, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Lion cub at the Entebeni Carnivore Rehabilitation Centre, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Another day another lion cub...well I suppose they are quite appealing to look at and I'm guessing no-one minds.

This little cub was about 5 months old - large enough to start growing just the initial tuft of a mane that lions start to first pick up around this age. I love his expression in this shot - like he's spotted something that is going to keep him entertained all day.

Taken near Hartbeespoort, Northwest Province, South Africa.

After a hard day tearing us to shreds, this orphaned 5 month old lion cub shows us that he hasn't quite grown up yet by lying down, exhausted, and sucking his thumb...typical.

Another lion cub - this one patiently waiting behind a convenient rock to pounce on his littermate. This little one had a very endearing expression, but could readily turn it into one of the most intense

This lion cub seemed to be of a slightly nervous disposition, and was very cautious of us. I caught him catching a sneaky peak at us though, and snapped this rather silly shot of him tongue-out (I seem to have taken a lot of photos of animals with their tongues out in Africa...)

A sleepy lion cub - or at least one pretending to be sleepy. Lion cubs are a little bit crazy - one minute they're tearing off after each other and rolling around, the next they're lazily sunning themselves and loafing around. I think they have life's priorities sorted out.

Taken at a reserve in Northwest Province, South Africa.

This Cape Buffalo rounded on our truck but slipped as he did so. When he got up he simply stood and stared at us, before deciding against it and moving on with the rest of his herd. I'm awfully glad he did.

Taken in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Southern District, Zambia.

A young Nile Crocodile takes a battering from some wake, before diving into the water and swimming off to escpae our interruption of its rest.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

An enormous Nile Crocodile, lazily resting on the embankment of a small island. Crocodiles are everywhere in the wetlands of Botswana, often completely inapparent until it's too late.

Taken on the Chobe River, Botswana.

Departing on an evening drive, we quickly spotted this female Nyala and her calf. They viewed us cautiously but went about their grazing. Presumably as the night pressed on they became increasingly wary of the dangers of rural Africa.

Taken near Pretoriuskop, in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

The water may be still, but the waterhole is a dangerous place to come. Everyone - even the nasties - has to drink at some point.

Rarer than the Yellow-Billed Hornbills, this Red-Billed Hornbill was a surprise find. They look, physically almost exactly the same as their counterparts, and have the same elegant flight patterns.

A very tolerant White Rhinoceros female, taken near the Bakubung Gate of the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa

This large White Rhinoceros was rubbing his chin for ages on these well-worn rocks. Perhaps it's to remove dead skin, parasites, or simply is for R and R, he certainly seemed to be enjoying it.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Two White Rhinoceroses standing still and posing for yet another photo. They seemed at peace as the setting sun gave them their last taste of warmth for the day before the freezing cold night set in.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

As the dusk sun was setting, this White Rhinoceros female crossed the road between us and the sun casting an ominous shadow as she moved in near-silence.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

So this is Ubhejane - the Rhino.

Sadly it's also the name of an ineffective local herbal 'remedy' for the symptoms of AIDS. Suffice to say its results are not as impressive as the incredible animal it's named after, and the concoction is a large part of the misinformation about HIV that abounds in Southern Africa.

Yet another White Rhino. This one was cautiously padding adjacent to the road, and keeping an eye on us the whole time. Taken in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa.

White Rhinoceros mother and calf having a game of push and shove, which was very entertaining until they rounded on our truck. Shot in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa.

Truly a force to be reckoned with, this White Rhino decided to try a little mock charge. Taken in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa.

Two large White Rhinoceros females. It can be tricky to get a good angle photographing Rhinos, so imagine my joy when two of them posed for a family photo. Taken in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa.

This is the dark side of wildlife in Africa - poaching - and a very sad story indeed in this case. This White Rhino bull had been injured by poachers, but had lost his partner. She was shot and killed in the night. Around him were a heavily armed anti-poaching unit ensuring no-one came back to finish the job.
Taken in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Southern Zambia, where poaching is still a major problem.

More White Rhino shots I know, but they are very photogenic animals, especially with that gorgeous highveld background!
Rhinos move *so* quietly - unless they start running at you...
This one was courteously avoiding our truck. Eventually he headed off for the ills to go and harass a grazing herd of zebra.

Snapped in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa.

A Sable Antelope eyes us up at the Tambotie Floodlands Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Skop's Owl being reared at Tambotie Floodlands Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Considered a bad sign in Botswana, the Southern Ground Hornbill is in fact one of the rarest bird species in Southern Africa. We were extremely fortunate to have seen them both in the Kruger and along the road through Pandamatenga.

This was taken in the Kruger National Park, near the Sabi River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Common, and an intens nuisance in places, the Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill is nontheless an extremely beautiful bird. Look closely and the blueness of their body feathers has seeral layers of depth to it.

Taken near on the way to Pretoriuskop, in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Another Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill, this time taking five on a branch and checking us out as much as we were checking him out.

Taken at Maroela Camp, in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

This Tsessebe was one that we had darted and we're giving a check up on before releasing at another site. She was pretty well behaved, considering her horn was almost poking my eye out as I was trying to listen to her chest sitting in the back of bakkie.Tsessebes are another incredibly valuable antelope species, and are quite rare in the wild. A little bit ugly, they are nontheless very impressive to see running free like this one.

Forget pedestrians on the roads, the real hazards on the Zambezi are Elephants wading across unexpected. Especially when you're in a canoe. Taken in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Southern District, Zambia.

Waterbuck male having a rest by the waterhole in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa

As our boat approched the riverbank, a herd of Waterbuck decided to peer over the top. I was able to get this fleeting moment before they turned and left.

Taken on the banks of the Chobe River, Botswana.

Three beautiful Waterbucks lying low in the bush from a nearby Hyena. Only the males have horns, and often they can be the only sign of life in the monotonous grasslands.

Another shot of the well-camouflaged Waterbuck male stalking through the grasslands, ever aware of the presence of predators.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Two more Waterbuck males cautiously wandering through the bush. I was surprised by their inquisitiveness, knowing how shy Waterbucks usually are.

Taken near Maroela in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

This rather blas�e Cape Buffalo was chilling out, taking time to relax in the afternoon sun. Nearby, though, the Waterbuck were anxiously watching our movements. Or is it the buffalo they're concerned about...?

Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

I managed to photograph this pride of (extremely rare) White Lions tucking into a Wildebeest carcase. I'd never seen a fully grown white lion male before and his mane looked so strange, as it's the same colour as the rest of his fur. Very beautiful, if somewhat unusual animals. Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Another shot of the gorgeous white lion pride demolishing this wildebeest carcase. This time just the lionesses. Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

More white lions - a recurring theme I know, but seriously how often do you get to photograph them? This was the king of the pride, though he was a notably messy eater. His mane looks so strange compared to brown lions.
Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

A White Lion, and a cub at that. He was inseperable from the stick in his mouth, and even tried to fight off one of his siblings to protect his stick. Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Fun for the whole family - this Wildebeest carcase is providing ample food for this pride of very rare White Lions. So much so that they kept appearing out of the bush to join in the feast.

Taken at a reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Adult male African Wild Hunting Dog, taken at the De Wildt Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

'Circle of Life' is a phrase we all associate with the Lion King, but after a long discussion with the chief of a village in Mpumalanga I realised that the film-makers had borrowed the concept from more traditional African roots. Everywhere in Africa the attitude is evident, and nowhere more so than in the presence of pups, cubs, calves and piglets wherever you go. This Wild Dog pup has an incredible responsibility ahead of him - his species is literally on the brink, so he has to make it through the troubles of life so that he can make a real difference.

Caught in the first light of the morning, this Wildebeest shows off its subtle but definite colouration. Taken in Khama Reserve, Southern District, Botswana.

A lone zebra tries to look inconspicuous in the Pilanesberg National Park, Northwest Province, South Africa

A more representative shot of a Burchell's Zebra - moving away from the truck and looking decidedly nervous. This shot was taken about 15 minutes after sunrise, and I love the way the oranges, browns and gold come out of the grassland in that first half hour.

Taken near Serowe, Central District, Botswana.

There's something about this photo that I personally really like - a lone Zebra, with their distinctive colouration, and the background of stereotypical bush.

Taken near Satara in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

We tracked this herd of zebra until we were almost on top of them, before they surprised us by splitting up and passing either side of us in relative quiet. It was an amazing spectacle and afforded great opportunities for photos.

Taken in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Caught between going one way or the other, this individual didn't know what to make of us. A moment in time, ears pricked, she eventually darted to the right and caught up with the rest of the herd - wise considering the other animals in the area...

Taken in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Date added: 17th September 2008

Date taken: August and September 2008

Categories: Travel, Wildlife

Tags: South, Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Wildlife, Nature, Wild, Dog, Cheetah, Zebra, Hornbill, Waterbuck, Sable, Skop's, Owl, Lion, White, Rhinoceros, Rhino, Hippopotamus, Cape, Buffalo, Giraffe, Elephant, Dragonfly

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