South Africa - Kum Kula
I could write a novel about my time in South Africa this year. Personally, I can't say enough about the people, the food, and the culture. From a photography standpoint, I was blown away by the diversity of wildlife and the sheer fun of game drives.
We flew into Johannesburg, and after a night of rest, we started our journey to Kruger National Park. Our guide opted for the scenic route, and we stopped several times throughout the six-hour journey to enjoy the rocky landscapes. One highlight was the Three Rondavels, a trio of peaks shaped like traditional huts:
Kum Kula
The main attraction of the day was the Kum Kula Lodge. Bordering Kruger National Park, this private reserve was open to any wildlife wandering in and out on a given day. It was up to chance what we might see, and we weren't disappointed. Before unpacking our bags, we were immediately delighted by a herd of wild giraffes stopping at our doorstep for a drink of water:
Bush Walk
The following morning was surreal. I will never forget sitting on the porch and sipping our morning coffee while wild giraffes and zebra congregated around the pond. The sound of unfamiliar bird calls filled me with the excitement of new possibilities. With each sip of coffee, we noticed something new: an Ibis flying overhead, a family of monkeys looking down at us from the trees, an orb weaver building a web nearby. With a start like this, I knew it was going to be a good day.
After sunrise, we met our guide Louie, who took us on a bush walk. I enjoyed focusing on the small things we would miss on our game drives: ants, termites, dung beetles, tracks, giraffe bones, and more.
African Birding
After our bush walk, we had some free time to explore the area. I was pleased to spot several new birds! Some white and red-backed Shrike lined the treetops, fluttering to and fro. A group of Yellow Helmetshrike stopped to feed caterpillars to their young. Up high, a sparrowhawk surveying the area for prey. We were two days into the trip, and by this time, I already had some of my favorite shots in the bag.
