Preparations and the Right Equipment Make a Safari More Successful

Once at the lodge, we want to be out in the field at the best times and as soon as possible. We depart early so we are well within the reserve when the light starts to come up. Such quick departures involve preparation by everyone. The drivers and guides will have a specific area and perhaps animal target in mind given the weather, past sightings, and the interests of the group. Each guest prepares a daypack for a half day in the bush. (see “Whats in My Daypack” in the side bar). I travel with a small daypack folded in my luggage to use on drives because my photo backpack I use on the airplane is too large for a game drive.

Examine Details: Study your subject and mavel in the details. They are all part of this animal's story.

Guests receive a safety briefing and tips for approaching the animals. It is important to remember that these are not zoo animals habituated to humans and are thus unpredictable. At the same time they do give us clues as to what is coming next such as signs of agitation, relaxation, or posturing. Learning to be calm and move quietly even when witnessing an exciting event is one of the best lessons and will lead to more photo opportunities and better wildlife images.

Wildlife photography is like sports photography; subjects change constantly and opportunities come and go very quickly. Having a second camera with a different lens at the ready is preferable to losing the shot because of a slow lens swap or scaring off the subject with your movements or noise. It is not always possible to stop the vehicle and to keep everyone still, therefore a monopod or beanbags can help support and steady a heavy rig. The best remedy is a lens with vibration reduction (called Image Stabilization in Canon). Some great lenses are the Canon 100 – 400mm f4.5 – 5.6 IS USM , Canon 300mm f2.8 IS, Nikon 80 – 400mm f4.5 – 5.6 VR.

After the game drive it is usually time for a well earned meal and time to start transferring images off of the media cards so they will be ready in a few hours time for another activity. It is best to have a rehearsed digital workflow and backup plan ready before you arrive (and more than one of the right adapter!). Our Schedule is about photo opportunities, so sometimes keeping up with digital workflow in the down time requires discipline. Preparation allows you to relax and concentrate on the next great shot.

Fleeting opportunities for action shots: These rhinos were concentrating on what was scary behind them. I had just fractions of a second before they noticed the obstacle in front of them

An elephant back safari is one of the most unique and memorable activities we share with our guests. It is the ultimate African experience to feel the power and intelligence of your elephant and view giraffes almost face to face. Sail high above the bush veldt and feel a part of the environment, instead of being just a passive observer. On elephant back, one is truly an integral part of the experience

This wonderful experience was formed out of the desire to save a 4 month old, injured, severely dehydrated baby elephant. He was found in 1997 firmly stuck in the mud of a silt dam. After attempts to rescue him failed, his mother, with the rest of the herd, abandoned him.

It took a full year to nurse the tiny elephant back to health. Despite numerous attempts to re-introduce him into the bush, little Jabulani had no intention of leaving. Now his caretakers faced the dilemma of what to do with a rapidly growing elephant. Fate intervened in March 2002 when word reached the camp of 12 Zimbabwean elephants who faced a grisly and untimely end. Their owner’s farm was in the process of being expropriated and the elephants were tagged for their meat. A massive truck left Johannesburg for Zimbabwe empty – and returned with a dozen pachyderms. Young Jabulani was almost immediately adopted by Tokwe (the matriarch). He had finally found a new family.

Taking care of 12 elephants is no easy feat (mentioning nothing of the costs). Left with the responsibility and custody of these magnificent but overwhelming creatures, the next logical step was in the creation of a camp to support them. This camp would enable travelers from the world over to experience the extraordinary impact of interacting with elephants.

It is early morning, but the first introduction to the elephants will shake the fog out of your head! Their sheer size and presence is humbling. Your host Paul bridges the gap between man and giant with an informative introduction and orientation into the personalities of the elephants.

And so begins the elephant safari. Guests mount their elephant via a specially constructed ramp. Atop their mighty spines, guests soon become lulled by the gentle “side to side” rocking motion. Moving in single file, silence reigns; a silence with no words but with beautiful harmonious communication of the bush and its inhabitants. The wild animals are relaxed and do not run because they only see the elephant and consider it a safe and normal part of the environment. Many of the shy and hard to photograph animals will stay still and act normal as you take your pictures or just take in the experience.

One thing is certain – one cannot help but be changed forever after sharing an experience with the Camp Jabulani elephants.

Sept 20 -26 2009

Sept 20 - Oct 2 2009

May 3 - May 9 2010

May 3 - May 15 2010

May 10 - May 22 2010

Sept 20 - Oct 2 2010

What’s in my Daypack? (for an Afternoon Game Drive)

• My windproof softshell jacket or light fleece
• Wide brim hat/ cap with sunglasses
• 500ml plastic water bottle saved from the airport and refilled at the lodge
• Tiny bottle of sunscreen (with the least amount of scent possible)
• Canon 5D MK2 with 300mm f2.8 IS with a couple teleconverters and neck strap
• Canon 5D with a 17 – 40mm f4.0 lens
• Canon 70 – 200mm f2.8 IS lens
• Batteries & media cards
• Nikon Monarch Binoculars 10 x42 (lightweight and a great image)
• Telescoping monopod (easier than a tripod, sets up in small spaces and you can run with it)
• Plastic bag to put camera in when out as dust protection
• Small notepad for jotting animal names or facts
• Canon 580 EX2 Speedlight for after dark predator shots
• Puffer for changing lenses, lens cloth, polarizer, filters

New Treehouses Peak out Above the Trees

Construction of two new treehouses is progressing rapidly. When they are finished, guests will have a view of the Drakenburg Mountains. They are also close to a reserve with big cats so the nightime symphony will be an exciting masterpiece.

The survival of females and their offspring depends upon the cohesion and co-ordination of the extended family. Their use of signals underlines the importance of the unit. They use active communication to reinforce bonds between relatives, reassure youngsters, reconcile differences between family and friends, form coalitions against aggressors, and keep in contact over long distances.

Elephants have strong individual personalities that affect how they interact with other elephants, how others perceive them, and how well they are able to influence members of their group. Some elephants are popular while others are not. Some elephants show great leadership qualities, others do not; some are kind and out going, others are more self-absorbed.

Elephants have a thick layer of cartilage under their feet, which functions as a shock absorber: when on the ground, the soles splay out, and when the foot is lifted, they shrink: this enables the elephant to walk without making a sound, in spite of its great size. Although elephants can run at a speed of about 40 km/hr, its vast bulk prevents it from jumping over even a small ditch.

While the chances of having travel documents stolen is very low, accidents happen and important documents can get dropped or left. Being organized can make a difficult situation much smoother.

Make a copy of your passport and also jot down important phone numbers including those for calling from overseas to your credit card company. You will need to note the card number, but only include half of it and memorize the rest. Add any travel insurance contacts, basic flight information, and a key contact at home. Keep this document separate from the documents they duplicate, but yet just as secure. I store this sheet wrapped in plastic and stored under the lining in my boot. It is also smart to have copies of documents with a friend at home who can send or access the information if needed – copies of documents locked in your house are of no help to you.