Spectacular South Africa Wildlife Photos
A South African safari is quite different from safaris you’ll have in other countries. Many of the reserves here are private game reserves spread over thousands of acres of land. The owners, mostly family run, stock their reserves with wildlife including the big five (among all the other animals) and chances are pretty good that you’ll have the chance to see them all! We had the pleasure of staying at the Kariega Game Reserve located on South Africa’s famous Garden Route. This luxury accommodation was the perfect break from the hectic pace of travel. Situated on the river in the quiet centre of the game reserve, it’s a place where one can really get away from it all while getting up close and personal with wildlife.
Nothing tells a story better than a photograph, so instead of describing our experience at Kariega, we’ll let our photos do the talking and showcase all the spectacular South African Wildlife.
South Africa Wildlife Photos
The landscape is changing in South Africa and many of the private game reserves are joining together to open up migration routes for the animals. It’s going to be an exciting time for the country. Before, animals were stocked and trapped on reserves, soon, they’ll be roaming freely across country. With initiatives like the Namibia, Botswana and South Africa parks joining forces, the rest of the country is following suit. Now in the Garden Route and Eastern Cape, reserves are opening their gates, getting rid of their electric fences and letting the animals roam. If all goes well, Lesotho and Swaziland will be joining the initiative and maybe, just maybe all these animals will be roaming through the land as they once did so many years ago.
The fences will be coming down soon at Kariega Game Reserve, Our guide told us that by this time next year, he won’t need to open electric gates to get in to see the wild animals. It may be more difficult to find them in the future, but it will be that much more fun to look for them. Just like our time in the Masai Mara, we never knew if we’d spot a wild animal on safari in Africa, but when we did it was a thrill of a lifetime.
Check out these images of the luxury of Kariega
For more information on the Kariega Game Reserve, visit their website. A stay here includes, morning and evening safaris, all meals, drinks (including alcohol, luxury accommodation and river excursions including kayaking, speed boats and swimming as well as time to relax in the inviting lounge area, pool and
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WOW! I totally love the photos – my favorite one is the last hippo photo (action shot!)
Thanks Jam, We’ve been trying to get a good hippo shot for years. They never like to come out of the water. It’s been either raining, so they stay under the water, or the sun it too hot and they’ll get too hot and sunburnt to come out of the water. We finally got ourselves some active hippos!
WOW!
These are all incredible shots. Some of those moments must have been really tough to capture. Think I definitely could have learned a few things watching you in action!
Mike Corey recently posted..Basilicata: The Strength of Tradition
Thanks Mike. It’s just a lot of patience, I never take my lens away from my eye. At the end of each safari, my left eye is aching and my right side muscles are aching from squinting so much. But the pay off is worth it.
Well done as usual Dave! I’m seriously jealous. That looked like a wonderful journey
Ken Kaminesky recently posted..Art on the Road: Las Cruces
Thanks Ken. It definitely was a great time. South Africa offers some amazing photo opportunities.
“Spectacular” indeed. WOW. You’ve outdone yourself on this set, Dave!
My favorites are definitely the first elephant shot, as well as the black-and-white lion one. Stunning!
Amanda recently posted..5 Ways Travel Has Made Me More Adventurous
Thanks Amanda! That elephant was a special moment. It came so close to the truck, I could almost reach….well actually, I could have reached out to touch him. Once I got my shot, I just put down my camera and enjoyed the moment.
SPECTACULAR was no exaggeration! These are amazing and inspiring.
Thanks James. It helps having two people to name the title. If Dave was naming it, I think he’d be a little more humble, but I love his work so much, I can use words like Spectacular and he can’t do anything about it.
Wow, seriously amazing photos. I especially love the one of the lion snarling.
Laurel recently posted..Whale Watching in St Lucia, South Africa
Thanks Laurel, that’s pretty awesome eh? I don’t know what it as snarling at but it made for a great shot.
Such incredible photos with a great ‘wild’ atmosphere. Love the black and white lion and the giraffes!
Lizzie recently posted..Bursting the Travel Blogging Bubble with Traverse 2013
Thank you. I think that the Black and White Lion is my favourite too. (this is Deb speaking) I just love how Dave captured it’s eyes.
Wow,marvellous and amazing photos of elephant.I like elephants.Thank u for giving the nice information.
Genelia Martin recently posted..Serviced Apartments in London and Worldwide
Thanks Genella, we love elephants too. They are such beautiful creatures.
These are AMAZING! love the hippo with his mouth open
WE’ve always wanted to capture that hippo shot with the mouth open. Glad we finally saw it!
Great photos guys! I see that new mega lens is being put to good use!
Cam recently posted..Photo of the Week: The Cute Village of Bernkastel
Loved the pics guys! So beautiful!
Erica recently posted..Moroccan Food: Free Cooking Class with Williams Sonoma
Beautiful photos. I actually had a dream about a lion last night. Thank goodness it wasn’t a dream about those hippos. That photo must have been taken on Wednesday as they are obviously enjoying hump day
The teeth on those animals are scary and amazing!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Cambodia travel guide for budget travelers
Stunning wildlife photos! The elephant and lion photos were especially breath-taking.
Great photos guys! Love the elephant! He’s glowing in the sun but contrasts nicely over the stormy sky in the background. Very nice. When we were in S.A we did Addo NP, Influzi and St.Lucia. This post makes me want to go back… this time with a better camera!
Dave has an eye for sure.
Well done.
Nick – Goats On The Road recently posted..Happy New Year!
OO – I had to cover my eyes at the Rhinos!!
One day, I will do a safari in Africa. How could anyone not want to when they have chance to see this
Natalie recently posted..17 Tilt Shift Photos From Turkey
Very risk to capture some of shots…..Really beautiful, but very risk to capture the lion and elephant…
Wow – amazing shots, I love the one with the king lion roaring (or yawning!)
Angela recently posted..Finding the spiritual in me in Chiang Mai with Buddhist monks
Haha, Yes, I think it was yawning, but I’d like to lie and say it was a roar
Fantastic shots, we love the rhinos
great job!
far east flashpacker recently posted..Comment on Bangkok guide by anotteaback
Just spectactular photos! That first Hippo photo makes them look like they are not dangerous at all…
I know eh? Whenever I see a hippo, they just look so cute! How can they be so dangerous
I love all of these! Great job.
Christy recently posted..Cusco Travel Tips
Cheers and thank you!
Wow, absolutely stunning photos of the wildlife.
Jennifer recently posted..Wine Wednesday: Faust Wine Cellar
Cheers Jennifer!
Excellent work, guys! That photo of the snarling lioness is my favorite, but they’re all really and truly spectacular. Congrats!
Bret @ Green Global Travel recently posted..ECO NEWS: Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Protest by Sierra Club
Thanks Bret, it was pretty cool to see, we don’t normally get the opportunity to catch a lion snarling, normally we see the sleeping. So this was a thrill to see them a bit active.
stunning photos! The lion photos are amazing… and the accommodation looks pretty awesome as well….
Jade Johnston recently posted..USA Travel – Las Vegas Hotels Without Resort Fees
Thanks Jade. We’ve always wanted to stay in one of those safari camps, and here we are, we finally had the chance. It was like a dream come true. I’d love to hang out here for a few more days. It’s worth just relaxing on the big comfy chairs on the dock, or reading a book in the beautiful rooms while enjoying a glass of wine. With everything included in the price, including safaris, it would make a perfect 4 or 5 night retreat.
I love the elephant photo at the top. Stunning photos overall. I visited Etosha, Chobe and South Luangwa last year and Africa totally blew me away!
Jeff | Planet Bell recently posted..Political Cartoons from Cuba, year 2003
It’s a great part of the Continent isn’t it? We did a river cruise in Chobe, but it was while cycling the continent in a race, so we didn’t have a lot of time. We only had one evening and didn’t see a lot. I’m so glad we got the chance to go back and do a proper safari in Africa four years later.
South Africa is perhaps the most diversified nation on this plane. The wonderful country of South Africa represents some of the best the continent has to offer.
Alcatel One Touch Star GPS recently posted..Alcatel One Touch Star GPS
These are amazing pictures! I hope that one day I will be able to travel to this part of the world and see these animals on a safari. *crosses fingers* I especially love elephants and giraffes.
Mallory recently posted..Little Tokyo
Thank you Mallory, I hope you have the chance too! It took us over a decade of travel before we finally had the chance to go on a proper African Safari, so I am sure that you will have your chance one day soon.
Amazing photos. What type of camera and lens did you use?
Thanks Lauren. Most of the shots were taken with a Canon 5DMKII with a 70-200mm 2.8 with a 1.4 Teleconverter. The wider shots, like the elephant, used a 16-35mm lens.
Really nice photography. But really have dare to capture these risk shots…I always see your all post having every photography is awesome..
Thanks. Actually, it’s not much of a risk, we just sat patiently waiting in our truck. The animals normally come closer for a look. As long as you don’t sneak up on them or cross their paths, they leave you alone. They’re just curious.
Looks like those hippos are having some fun! Seriously though, amazing photos. I can’t imagine what it must be like to see these gorgeous animals up close and in person.
Ali recently posted..How to Pick Carry-on Only Luggage
Thanks Ali. Yes, I think hippos have it good. They’re king of the waters and they hang out in groups. It’s amazing too because they’re not poached like rhinos and elephants, so even man leaves them alone.
WOW, these pictures look really great and I’m aslo impressed from the luxury of Kariega, the place looks really amazing.
Laura Donnovan recently posted..Visit the land of the long white cloud and enjoy the trip of a lifetime
Thanks Laura, and you are right, Kariega is very luxurious. The main lodge is so inviting, you just want to laze around on the comfy couches and sip wine. It’s a perfect safari destination. And look at all the wildlife you see! We only missed out on the Leopard, but there’s one there somewhere!
Enjoyed the photos and am really thrilled to hear fences will be coming down so, wildlife can be wild, again !
AHHH!!! These photos are incredible!!!!
Lillie – @WorldLillie recently posted..We Spent Christmas at the Largest Mosque in India!
wild kingdom like I never saw it as a kid… Love is in the air – even with the rhinos – or are they hippos?
Maria recently posted..Your Breath at My Ear
You got some great close up shots of hippos. I could never get close enough for a decent one! Still amazing to see in the wild though.
Dean recently posted..Why driving is the best way to explore Tuscany
Your photos ar absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing. We’re planning our own South African safari for later this year (probably August). Thanks!
It’s like the animals were posing for your photo shoot.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Grandeur of Buenos Aires: The Buildings
Great photos! We hope to make it there in about 5 years when Baby B can appreciate it. looks awesome.
Nicole recently posted..Photo of the Week: Unusual Cafe in Turkey’s Love Valley
Amazing and well-captured images. I particularly love the shots of the rhinos and the yawning lion and hippo. I’ve been to South Africa but didn’t make it to the Garden Route. I heard so much beautiful thing about it and this private game reserve just added to it. I hope to make it back there someday.
Marisol@TravelingSolemates recently posted..Vietnam: Trekking in the Off-The-Beaten-Path Hilltribe Villages – Day 1
Beautiful photos! I just got back from a trip that included some game drives in Kenya and Tanzania, so I appreciate what you’ve been able to capture.
Thomas Dembie recently posted..Sossusvlei Namibia: Tips and Insights
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Wow! Absolutely incredible photos. We love the look of the place you stayed
Spectacular is an understatement. These are well.. beyond spectacular! LOL. I love that first shot!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..Around the World in Mickey D’s
To sum it up…photos are incredible.
Thank you for sharing this amazing collection of wildlife photography from South Africa. Brilliant!
Nikhil Chandra recently posted..Indian Railways: Photographs
Thank you Nikhil, I am so glad that you liked the photos. The wildlife in Africa is like nowhere else on earth.
These photos are amazing. The impala (at least I think it’s an impala?) and its foal is my favourite photo. I love the one of the giraffes and the roaring lion, too. I’ll be heading off on safari later this year, and these pics have me all excited!
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..The Fantasy Five: Let’s Get Cheesy!
These photos are amazing. The impala (at least I think it’s an impala?) and its foal is my favourite photo….These are well…. The wildlife in Africa is like nowhere else on earth….. I could never get close enough for a decent one! Still amazing to see in the wild though.
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Gorgeous! The snarl on the face of that lioness is priceless.
Spectacular indeed! It must be such a thrilling experience to watch wildlife from such close quarters. Brilliant photography
Arti recently posted..Planning, How to reach and Where to stay in Kannur
Wow this is an amazing collection of photos! I would love to go to South Africa to see the wildlife there, what an incredible experience that would be!
Nicole @ Green Global Travel recently posted..The Cherokee County Indian Festival: Our Favorite Georgia Pow Wow
Great photography. Just a pity about the de-horned rhino, but it will decrease the chances that they will be poached. Many people believe that a Kruger Safari is the ultimate safari experience in South Africa, but other reserves and parks like Kariega offer great experiences as well. From the photos you provided, seeing three out of the Big Five is a great feat in Kruger, and even a greater feat at Kariega.
Carel Loubser recently posted..Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Incredible photos guys! South Africa is definitely on our must-see list!
Nicole @ Suitcase Stories recently posted..Wildlife From Around The World Photo Essay
Those are stunning photos. I have never been convinced by the idea of safari type holiday but maybe it is time to re-think and head to South Africa after all.
amazing photos, well done, you guys should work for the South African tourist board
mark thomas recently posted..Ryanair announces new flights to Croatia
Haha, thanks Mark. Maybe they’ll hire us one day
Woah! Those photos are all absolutely gorgeous! I love the moments you have captivated this animals in! So natural and so vivid. I also made a post about South Africa a while back. Here it is in case you would like to check it: http://tripandtravelblog.com/south-africa-the-most-beautiful-travel-destinations-ever/
It’s not nearly as fine as yours but I like writing about this kind of places and when I do that it makes me wanna be there!
Greetings from Athens!