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Amazing animal photos (and the stories behind them)

by Cameron Neill
15th May 2019 Kenya, Namibia, Personal Experience, Photography, Tanzania, Uganda
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Chameleon Crossing

Taken in Bwindi National Park, Uganda

"We were leaving the area after trekking with the gorillas and this three horned chameleon was a last minute surprise. It was crossing the access road and amazingly was untouched by our vehicle and another motorcycle that zoomed past, narrowly missing it. I only had enough time to snap a few photos before it disappeared into the undergrowth."

Want to see this? Try our Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Ol' Man Chimpanzee

Taken at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

"Chimpanzees are often seen as small and playful but a fully grown chimpanzee is an incredibly powerful and dynamic animal. This old male eyeballed us from the moment we walked into the area. I’m not ashamed to say that he intimidated me a little so I took a few photos and left once my courage ran out."

Want to see this? Try our Kenya Highlights

Young Cheetah

Taken in Etosha National Park, Namibia

"We had come across this young cheetah and his family in Northern Namibia. All was calm and peaceful until two younger cubs appeared to have a brief disagreement about something and luckily for me my camera was in the right place at the right time."

Want to see this? Try our Classic Namibia Safari

Elephants with Kili

Taken in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

"This was our first day on safari in this trip and my wife’s first ever day on safari. Heading into the park early we could see a herd approaching so positioned the vehicle where we thought they’d come close. We were lucky to witness both a large herd of elephants and the stunning Mt Kilimanjaro in the background before both disappeared from view."

Want to see this? Try our Highlights of East Africa

Mother Vervet

Taken in Okavango Delta, Botswana

"We had been on safari for weeks when we took a morning off to relax and enjoy the local environment. A local troop of vervet monkeys came along on a foraging mission and this mother perched on top of our freshly vacated outdoor shower. For a few minutes she calmly cradled her baby, stroked it and breastfed it right next to us, completely relaxed in our presence.

Want to see this? Try our Sanctuary Retreats Luxury Safari

Flowers & Hyenas

Taken in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

"This photo was taken immediately following the East African long rains and the crater was in full bloom. Hyenas are remarkable animals but this one didn’t seem too pleased about its home suddenly becoming a flowery paradise."

Want to see this? Try our Tanzania Highlights

Morning Glory

Taken in the Sabi Sands, South Africa

"We had been tracking this dominant male for a few days and ran into him the previous night as he roared to mark territory. The next morning we woke before sunrise and tracked him down. He had successfully hunted overnight and really looked like the King of the Jungle, bathed in the morning sun."

Want to see this? Try Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Zebra sunrise

Taken in Masai Mara, Kenya

 "Sometimes to take good photos, you just need to look at good things through a camera. We'd been with this herd for a little while and they were all too busy trying to get a good breakfast to care about us, sitting quietly amongst them.  This is one of the so called "Golden Hours" when the light is soft and the colours at the peak."

Want to see this? Try our Migration Safari

Meerkat Morning

Taken in the Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

"Meerkats live in the middle of nowhere so photographing them means having to go there as well and spending time with them first thing in the morning as they sun themselves and hunt for food. Being so small, it also means lying on your belly in the Kalahari sand to get a good shot of them and quickly jumping to your feet when they move. It is quite tiring, a good African workout!"

Want to see this? Try Meno A Kwena Tented Camp

Waterhole confrontation

Taken in the Savuti Channel, Botswana

 "This is a case where waterhole politics play out right before your eyes. This hippo had the water all to itself but in the dry season it was in high demand.  A pack of nine wild dogs arrived and tried to figure out how to get a drink when all of a sudden this elephant arrives and makes a scene. It even picks up some water and sprays the hippo, trying to get it to move! The hippo stood its ground, let out a large bark and the young elephant backed down with a head shake. Meanwhile, both the wild dogs and us watched in disbelief!"

Want to see this? Try our Desert and Delta Safari

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