Tag: Wildlife

San Camp: Kalahari Skies

Posted on by James

Billowing white tents on the edge of the endless Makgadikgadi Pans. Desert palms cast their shade here, and you are surrounded by a thousand acres of shimmering, nothingness.
San Camp, a quintessentially romantic, seven-bedroom camp on the edge of the Nwetwe Pan in Botswana’s Makgadikgadi, is something straight out of Arabian Nights. The allure lies in the minimalism here, both within the camp itself and in the broader desert horizons.

Meerkats emerge from their desert burrows, if you’re lucky an Aardvark might emerge at sunset, and you’ll see red hartebeest, springbok and gemsbok scurrying between them. But San Camp isn’t just about wildlife-watching – it’s about the atmosphere and the ethereal surroundings. Disappear into a remote world, a million miles from glowing screens and fruit-themed devices, where the 360-degree panoramas are so vast, you can see the curvature of the earth.

The enormous salt pans are like something off the moon. They are the home of a host of unique desert animals which are for the most part completely different to those encountered to the north-west in the Okavango.Combining the two areas into a single itinerary is highly recommended.
Species to tick include the famed black-maned Kalahari lion as well as cheetah, plains game like wildebeest and zebra, elephant and brown hyaena almost exclusive to this region. The bird list here is extensive and highly localised within the habitat, and of course your trip would not be complete without an immersive interaction with one of the habituated troops meerkats that have delighted guests for years.

The safari experience here is truly remarkable. The stark setting is complemented by the minimalist camp design, and the ever-present Kalahari silence creates an ambience of peace.
The main canvas covered central area is open and wonderfully unencumbered by clutter, inviting you into a stylish dining room where delicious food makes sure you are never hungry.
Dark mahogany furniture and Persian carpets complement each other well and the bedouin feel simply adds to the elegance and romanticism…

The name of the game here is adventure.
Walk with the San Bushmen or go horse-riding across the plains. Take quad bikes out onto the salt flats or charter a helicopter down to see the ethereal and ancient Kubu Island, one of the most remarkable places on earth…
Wildlife aside, this is a safari experience like no other.

If you want to find out more about this incredible destination, and how best to include it into an itinerary, get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start a safari conversation…

Lion Sands Tinga: Private Kruger Park

Posted on by James

Lion Sands Tinga is nestled on the banks of the Sabie River,  one of the Kruger Park’s most iconic. The softly burbling water flows under enormous jackalberry and fig trees, and provides some of the most scenic game-viewing habitat imaginable. In winter when water resources are scarce, everything has to drink at the river, so a slow meander along the riparian roads will reveal a myriad of delights.

The lodge consists of nine suites as well as the exclusive two-bedroom Hinkwenu Residence.
Each room, blending vintage style with modern luxury, provides stunning views that make you feel as if the outside reserve is simply an extension of your living quarters, ensuring an intimate connection with Africa’s beauty.

The suites are joined by elevated wooden pathways that wind their way through the lodge, also connecting the spa and main lodge area, where a bar lounge, pool, and boma also feature. Here, you can share a delicious glass of some of South Africa’s finest wines, refelct on the day’s sightings, or simply relax in a quiet moment alone, with only the background ambience of the birds as your company.
The suites all feature their own private plunge pool and deck, providing a personal sanctuary where you can bathe in opulence, spend your time bird watching or check on the hippos in the river below.

The Lion Sands Game Reserve is essentially a combination between their Kruger National Park concession where Tinga is found, and their property in the world-famous Sabi Sands; one of the best places in the world to see leopards. Vehicles are allowed to traverse both sections, ensuring full access to the bast sightings.

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge has tailor-made experiences for children aged 6 to 11, so the lodge ensures that every member of the family has the freedom to explore and have fun.
A dedicated playroom, coordinated by a qualified activity leader, offers a range of engaging activities from sports and crafts to baking sessions with the chef. Family game drives, bush orientation, dung tracking, spoor casting, and nature scavenger hunts are just a few of the adventures that families can enjoy together, making every day a new discovery.

 

Safari experiences are of course the central reason why people visit, and Lion Sands boasts some of the best. Game drives depart the lodge at dawn and then again in mid-afternoon, facilitated by experienced field guides. These drives aim to capture the essence of an African safari as you go in search of the Big Five. Feel how your senses swiftly become attuned to the slightest rustle in the bush. Walking safaris are another great way to explore the landscape; most are conducted after breakfast, as you set out on foot to enjoy a true bush immersion, with your guide and tracker interpreting event eh faintest signs for you.

If it’s more of a relaxation or a spiritual experience that you are after, the our spa provides treatments featuring Africology products, ethically sourced and inspired by traditional African healing practices.
Additionally, for those dreaming of sleeping under the star-laden African sky, Lion Sands offers optional treehouse sleep-outs, which provide an unforgettable night surrounded by the sounds of the wild (activity is at an additional cost).

 

Between 4 January and 19 December 2025 & 2026, Lion Sands is offering incredible specials.

Pay for 3, Stay for 4, as well as a 50% rate for Honeymooners.

If you are after amazing game viewing, superb opulence and some of the most scenic terrain in the whole of the Kruger National Park, Lion Sands Tinga might be just what you’re looking for.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more…

 

Chitabe Reimagined

Posted on by James

For almost thirty years, Wilderness Chitabe has earned a reputation as one of the Okavango Delta’s most incredible safari destinations. Set on a wildlife-rich peninsula in the eastern sector of this tranquil eden, its diverse landscapes and patchwork of habitats draw an unparalleled abundance of game year-round. But beyond the remarkable sightings, Chitabe is a place where guests feel at home – a camp shaped by a team whose deep-rooted connection creates a rare and timeless magic.
And now, with a fresh, sustainable design, rebuilt Chitabe remains true to its roots while embracing the future.

Chitabe’s impressive mix of micro-ecosystems makes it one of Botswana’s most rewarding wildlife destinations. The convergence of the Gomoti and Santantadibe channels create almost an island, which supports a rich, year-round game viewing paradise. Here, prides of lions, packs of wild dogs, and the Okavango’s most consistent and viewable cheetah population hunt the plains. There have also been no fewer than 50 leopards recorded at Chitabe.

The Chitabe guest suites offer a blend of comfort and design, perfectly suited to the temperature swings of the Delta (summer can get very hot, winter nights can see the temperature drop to sub-zero).
Crafted to enhance the experience, the suites feature insulated canvas walls and roofs, creating an environment that maintains a light, airy feel. Spacious high ceilings, large insect-proof mesh openings, and private shaded decks open to horizon-wide views of the Delta.

The eight spacious luxury safari-style tents at are built on elevated wooden decks amongst the stunning trees of the Okavango.
Each tent has en-suite facilities that include an indoor and outdoor shower, mosquito nets, standing fans and double sliding doors opening to the shady deck with comfortable seating – a perfect breakfast nook from which to soak up the bush.
Elevated walkways connect the tents to the central camp facilities made up of a thatched raised dining and lounge area leading onto open decking with views across the waterways and floodplains. There is an evening campfire, a small curio shop and a plunge pool providing a cool sanctuary for those warm hours. Or nestle yourself in the library with a view and read a little more about the wildlife and natural history of the area; although the staff, rangers and trackers of Chitabe Camp would be more than happy to tell you all about as well.

Supreme opulence and some of the most consistent wild dog viewing in the Okavango (the local pack dens on the concession almost every year) have ensured a high level of repeat business at Chitabe. Guests fall in love and don’t want to go anywhere else.

If this sounds like the place for you, get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your Okavango itinerary…

How to Get the Shot in Wildlife Photography

Posted on by James

Wildlife photography is frustrating at the best of times. You might be looking away when an animal suddenly moves, the weather might not be playing ball, or a fly might be buzzing around your head and annoying you as your eye eches from looking through the view finder, waiting for that opportune moment to push the shutter button.
But the frustration is what results in the reward. When you nail the shot, you get a sense of elation akin to completing your first marathon or your favourite sports team winning!

Anticipation is a crucial element in wildlife photography, involving predicting and preparing for an animal’s next move or behaviour.. This skill requires understanding animal behaviour patterns, observing subtle cues, and setting your camera to be ready for those fleeting moments. By anticipating what an animal might do, you can be in the right place at the right time to capture that shot you dreamed of!

We understand that for first-time safari-goers, a familiarity with the animals might be lacking; this is why it is so important to bring your guide into the loop. Telling him or her about exactly what type of shot you have envisioned will go a long way towards helping them anticipate your needs, as well as the animals’ behaviour.

 

The more time you spend observing animals in their natural habitat, the better you’ll become at anticipating what they’ll do next.

We thought we’d run through a couple of images and describe what happened, and how we positioned – or at least got ready for – the shot.

Lion Crossing Water, Duba Plains, Botswana.

Duba Plains is right up north in the Okavango Delta, and as such has quite a bit of water year-round. The lions there are adapted to criss-crossing the various channels, particularly in the months of the annual inundation. They know the shallowest crossing points well, and fortunately these often coincide with the best vehicle crossing spots.
In this sighting, another lioness (the one in the photo’s sister), had killed a large warthog the day before, and the photographed individual was responding to her roars, as they were looking to reunite.
Knowing the direction the lioness would (most likely) take, we crossed a small channel and waited for her on the opposite side of the shallow section. Zooming out slightly to allow for her reflection, our hearts were in our mouths as she approached.
Fortunately, she crossed exactly where we had anticipated, and the above shot was the result.
Falling Impala, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
A female leopard had killed and hoisted a young impala, and led her two cubs back to it early one morning. A large part of a young leopard’s learning is in pretending to kill an animal its mother has already brought down, and when one of the cubs began roughly moving the impala carcass in the fork of the tree, we anticipated her dropping it and it falling to the ground>
Justy like in the lion photo, we zoomed out slightly to allow some space for the impala to fall into if it happened, and as the kill began to slip,, we were ready with our fingers on shutter buttons and high frame rates set.
The second cub below was unprepared for the kill almost dropping straight onto it!

Leopard Cubs Playing, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa

This was actually from the same sighting as the falling impala above, but from when the mother was leading her cubs to the kill.
Having seen how boisterous the young leopards were being, we had our ISOs cranked up high on our cameras to make sure we were getting high enough shutter speeds in the low light conditions (the sun was still low and the leopards were moving through shade).
Mother leopards will often prefer to lead their cubs through thicker vegetation so that they remain concealed; any gaps or roads to be crossed become like gold to a photographer in a sighting like that, as you have a brief few moments without vegetation in the way.
In this instance, with our camera settings already dialled in, we anticipated the spot where the mother leopard would reach the road with her cubs and waited there.
We were lucky as the continual games of pounce-and-chase from the young leoaprds reached a creescendo just as they got to the road, and the above photo was the result.

Hyena Dragging Impala, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa

During the rut, impala males will lock horns, sometimes fighting to the death, and their battles are often to the complete exclusion of any kind of self-preservation. Lowered awareness and a complete focus on the fight at hand makes them vulnerable, and this female hyena had brought down this rutting male impala, devouring half of it with a clan-mate.

After eating her fill, she picked up the remains and started to drag them down the road. We know there was a den not too far away, and we presumed she was going to take the meat back to her growing cubs.
It was still early morning and the light was not good, so we decided to roll the dice and capture a shot that emphasised the movement of the hyena. With low ISOs and slow shutter speeds ready, we parked next to the road ahead of where the hyena was dragging at pace, and as she passed us we panned with her, shooting continuously, and the above shot is the result. The slight blur in the background implies a sense of urgency in the hyena’s movement and tells a far better story than a simple freeze-frame.

If wildlife hobby is your passion or something you’d like to get into, feel free to get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com with any questions you might have.

If you have any requests for subjects of future photographic posts, let us know!

Daunara Safari Special

Posted on by James

Pay for 3 nights, stay for 4.

That’s a good deal no matter where you’re talking about, but in the Okavango Delta, it sounds almost too good to be true.

Daunara Safari Camp, one of the newest offerings in the Delta, is running this incredible special for 2025, but with enquiries already starting to flood in, we would advise not to wait if a trip to Botswana’s own version of Eden is something you’d be interested in.

This lovely camp is in the south-east of the Delta, a short scenic helicopter flight from Maun, which is a pioneering safari town in the north of Botswana on the edge of the Thamalakane River.
The Camp is perched on the edge of a permanent water body, perfectly situated for days full of adventure and activity or for you to take time to escape from the world and reconnect with life as it ought to be lived.

At Daunara, your days are tailor-made, from the staff’s heartfelt hospitality to the camp’s thoughtful design, your stay is a constant adventure in nature with walking, fishing, game drives, community visits, mekoro (plural of mokoro – the traditional dugout canoe of the Okavango) and so much more. All in your own time at your own pace, with guides who immerse you in the heart of the Delta experience.

They want you to experience a welcome so warm in a home so comfortable that you don’t want to leave. And it works!

The camp comprises five spacious tented suites, each offering panoramic views of the wild. The layout, dictated by the positioning of prominent trees, allows for both privacy and shared communal experiences, with three standalone suites and two interconnected family suites.

A raised wooden walkway, mirroring the winding Delta waterways, connects the tents, ensuring guests remain immersed in the natural environment as they move about the camp. The central camp area includes a family-friendly house kitchen, an intimate sitting room, a fully stocked bar, and a stand-alone wine cellar, alongside outdoor spaces like shaded verandas, a sunken firepit, and a  lap pool.

Other noteworthy features include a state-of-the-art gym and a massage tent overlooking a second waterhole often frequented by huge zebra herds.

The boma, a modern reinterpretation of a traditional African outdoor gathering space, is a standout feature consisting of three interconnected separate circular forms for dining, lounging, and outdoor cooking, all centered around an enormous fire bowl. This playful yet functional design offers a unique guest experience.

For those looking to attach something out of the ordinary and extra special to their trip, a visit to Elephant Havens, a nearby elephant orphanage, is a must.
The orphanage has a herd of young calves that have been rescued from the wild, and in the fully immersive experience, guests get to help the caretakers feed the little ones as well as give them milk during their twice-daily walks out in the bush.

It’s a unique and magical way to get up close to these magical creatures!

Owner-run, Danaura provides the attention to detail that Iconic Africa looks for in the high-end camps we like to send our guests to, and with this current special running, there’s not better time for a visit.

Get hold of one of our agents through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your trip…

A Londolozi Revisit

Posted on by James

Londolozi was where it all began for Iconic Africa.

Years ago, around a boma fire, IA directors John Holley and Terri Abadi – ranger and guest – chatted about life, travel, and how through their respective global positions (Johannesburg and Atlanta, Georgia) and experience in the industry, there was an opportunity for a boutique travel company to service both markets simultaneously.

Fast forward just over a decade, and Iconic Africa now has guests from all over the world travelling on luxury safaris throughout the year.


Our team has grown and we now feature an office in Hoedspruit –  the heart of the South African safari industry.

We send guests across the continent on incredible itineraries and are currently looking to expand our offering to Asia and Antarctica.

We link guests with top Private Guides to create a seamless safari and create continuity throughout their African experience.

So it was with great excitement that the team assembled at Londolozi’s most newly refurbished camp, Founders.

At Founders Camp, classic meets modern. This Londolozi signature camp is clean and uncomplicated and really comfortable, leaving nothing forgotten. You will get the feeling of all the comforts of a stylish African home that is ideally situated to provide an insider’s view of the secrets of river life. Classy, grounded and timeless – Londolozi’s Founders Camp represents a safari style that is inviting and restful.

Ten bespoke and varied superior chalets repose in the shade of ancient Ebony and Matumi trees along the banks of the Sand River.

Founders Camp honours the early Londolozi staff, many of them larger-than-life characters whose names have gone on to become legend in the wider guiding and travel industries (one even attended the wedding of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle).
Their legacy continues to this day through an unwavering commitment from all staff to provide an incredible guest experience whilst doing everything possible to conserve this landscape in as natural a state as possible.

Our small Iconic team could sadly only stay for two nights, but as usual, Londolozi delivered at every turn.

Although our visit felt like it was over far too quickly (it’ll do so no matter how long you stay for), we packed so much in that we could have been there for a week.

Dinner in the bush, getting stuck in a dry riverbed, constant laughter, and more stunning wildlife than we could ever have hoped for to point our cameras at; we were truly spoilt during our short stay.


We love the safari industry for how varied it is. Africa is an incredible mosaic of destinations and accompanying experiences.

But for a stunning level of consistency across the board – be it food, rooms, guiding standard, wildlife sightings or just simply having an amazing time – we have no hesitation in putting Londolozi right up there on the podium.

If Founders Camp, or any of the other four amazing camps on this reserve, feature on your to-do list, let’s get chatting…

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s start planning your dream safari…

Dulini Anabezi – A New Beginning

Posted on by James

Anabezi Camp in the eastern section of the Lower Zambezi National Park, has always ranked among our favourite Zambezi River destinations. Modern comfort and authentic African luxury come together here in one of Africa’s finest game viewing destinations.

Now the camp has been incorporated into the Dulini portfolio, whose camps in the Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa, we also love, so we anticipate a wonderful renewal of our your love affairs with both brands.

You feel wonderfully close to nature in all of the twelves tented suites, which come complete with either king or twin beds, and all of which overlook either the Zambezi River, Zambezi Floodplain or Kulefu Channel. Each tent features an indoor ensuite bathroom with Victorian style soaking bathtub, and an outdoor bathroom complete with outdoor shower.

Cool off in your private plunge pool during the warmer hours of the ay between game drives whilst buffalo, elephants and warthog feed down below and a host of bird species flit amongst the branches of the Albida trees that tower over the camp walkways.

All rooms are connected to the camp’s main areas by a raised wooden boardwalk and designed for maximum privacy, creating a personal haven amidst the Zambian wilderness. The family tent features two connected rooms, one king with en suite bathroom and outdoor bathroom, and one twin room with private bathroom, both of which share the same viewing deck and plunge pool.

Home to Anabezi’s second swimming pool, the Mushika Deck offers a full bar and sweeping views of the Mushika River floodplain. A nearby watering hole attracts wildlife like resident elephants and buffalos, warthogs bathing in the mud, antelope and the Anabezi troop of Baboons, making it an ideal spot for wildlife viewing.

As its namesake implies, the Zambezi Deck provides sweeping views of the Zambezi River and the floodplain, with daily visits from elephants, buffalo, impala, waterbuck and a variety of birds. Watch the wildlife from the swimming pool, while you’re having lunch or from one of the many lounging areas and take in the surrounding landscape. It’s not uncommon to get up close views of elephants drinking, bathing and crossing the Zambezi River to one of its many islands.

Anabezi is situated deep within the Lower Zambezi National Park, which forms part of the Lower Zambezi– Mana Pools Trans Frontier Conservation area, spanning 1,750,000-hectares of wilderness. The area is a big game mecca, an African Eden, and one of the world’s last remaining untouched natural landscapes. Exceptional game viewing is assured – the area is home to a host of high profile wildlife including lion, leopard, hyena as well as an abundance of other indigenous species.

We are supremely confident that the incorporation of Anabezi into the Dulini brand will do nothing to alter the allure of the place.

The rooms will remain just as comfortable, the service just as exceptional and the food just as delicious. And the wildlife will continue living its wildest life, unaware of any branding changes. And that is the main reason we visit destinations in the first place.

If you’d like to know more about Dulini Anabezi or even Dulini Sabi Sand, get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com, and let’s talk safari…

Xigera – Best of the West

Posted on by James

“West” is probably pushing it a little bit, as Xigera is in fact dead centre in the Okavango – truly in the heart of it, one might say.

One of the most luxurious lodges in the Okavango Delta, the camp is set in a beautiful location on a private concession within the Moremi Game Reserve. Having reopened under new ownership (Red Carnation Hotel Group) in December 2020, Xigera reset the bar when it comes to luxurious safaris in Botswana – offering the ultimate flexibility for guests to shape the experience exactly as they desire, the philosophy at this stylish lodge says it all “anything, any time”.

Xigera (pronounced “kee-jera”, meaning pied kingfisher) has been on the Okavango safari scene for many years but the rebuild  really transformed the lodge. The new design was unrecognisable from the old, apart from the beautiful location. The style at Xigera is bold, yet wonderfully in keeping with the feel of Okavango Wilderness. You can expect a slick safari experience here. A lodge for those looking for the ultimate luxury set amidst stunning landscapes and top class game viewing.

Xigera Safari Lodge guests will not be restricted by the standard safari timetable. Instead, total flexibility is the order of the day, and a completely bespoke approach to activities with no set times dominates. Morning, afternoon and evening game drives are offered, as are private walking safaris, photographic workshops, private yoga, mokoro and glass-bottomed mokoro excursions and motorboat trips as well as fishing in season. Note that water activities are seasonal, usually from May/June to September. Dining al fresco is another highlight, with bush picnics, lunches or breakfasts also available.

During the flood season, from around May to September, Xigera is transformed into a stunning wetland landscape, which makes it the perfect water and land safari camp.

The lodge sits on stilts under a canopy of large trees and enjoys superb views of the floodplains. Elevated walkways connect the different areas of camp, offering a treehouse feel and wonderful elevated views. Xigera Safari Lodge has been constructed with undulating rooflines and scorched timber cladding. The suites have views onto the lily-covered lagoons: the lily is the camp’s emblem and a lily-inspired pavilion will provide shade overlooking the water’s edge. The sunken lounge has a huge copper lily-design centrally suspended fireplace.

The lodge’s interiors are spectacular. Every piece in the lodge’s collection of furniture, sculpture and ceramics is a work of art in itself and has been specially commissioned and made for the lodge over a period of 18 months. The pieces include works by more than 30 leading African artists and craftspeople.

Xigera Safari Lodge has twelve suites, and one family suite suitable for two couples or a family. The suites all have air-conditioning and feature separate lounge, bedroom and dressing room and private deck, daybed with gazebo and each can accommodate indoor and outdoor private dining for up to four people. The large bathrooms also feature outdoor showers. The suites are extraordinarily spacious for a wilderness lodge.

Red Carnation properties, who own Xigera Safari Lodge, are known for their attention to detail and personal touches and service. With an impressive ratio of four staff to every guest you can expect incredibly attentive and personalised service . The African inspired menus are served by an interactive kitchen and the cellar serves wine from the award-winning vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson, as well as other top wines. After dinner, the boma has a totemic firepit sculpture around which to sit, enjoy a digestif and stargaze.

To work up an appetite for all the fabulous meals there is a state of the art gym as well as a stunning pool. This swimming pool’s dark water is rest for the eyes by comparison with the usual stark brilliant blue; the views from the pool over the river give the sense that you are immersed in the Delta’s natural waterways.

For something more cerebral the library, an air conditioned haven of peace, features occasional talks from specialists.
Wellness is a real feature of the camp; two spa rooms will provide a wide range of treatments and treatments can also be given in the suites. Guest practitioners will create a programme based on wellness, mindfulness and holistic healing with the perfect backdrop of the pristine natural Delta environment.

Predator sightings are particularly impressive at Xigera – there is a large presence of lion, leopard, hyena on the islands. Buffalo are found in good numbers too.  General game sightings include red lechwe, lion, spotted hyena and leopard, and the highest density of the rare sitatunga antelope found in the Delta. Birding in Xigera is very good, with opportunities to see the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Skimmer, Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane, Lesser Jacana and plenty of eagles, vultures, raptors and kingfishers.

The environmental credentials are impressive and central to the philosophy of the lodge which ultimately aim to be diesel free and entirely solar powered and will use a 400kW Tesla plant incorporating lithium iron batteries and Tesla invertors. The solar farm will end up as the largest in the Delta.

Xigera can be reached by a 25 minute light aircraft connection from Maun airport to the Xigera airstrip, or around an hour and 20 minutes from Kasane airport. A 10-minute drive in a game drive vehicle will then bring you to Xigera itself.

Children aged twelve and over are welcome and charged at a full adult rate.

Get hold of us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about Xigera and the wold-class safari experience that it offers…

 

Photography Tips & Tricks: Make Your Photos Come Alive

Posted on by James

Patience is a virtue, and especially when it comes to wildlife photography.

But it can be far simpler than waiting hours for a lion pride to get up and go hunting, or a leopard leaping up into a tree. It can be as easy as just waiting a few moments for the appropriate head tilt, or for a cloud to move away from the sun. What can add immeasurable value to a photo of an animal – particularly a close-up – is eye-glint. That little sparkle in the eye of a predator can change what would be an otherwise mundane photo into one that leaps off the screen at you (I still find it weird saying “off the screen” instead of ‘off the page”…aaah the digital age).

Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing some more useful tips like this to incorporate in your wildlife photography, but today we’ll simply be concentrating on eye-glint.

Have a look at the following two cheetah photos…

Cheetah Cubs

In the above photo, I absolutely love the position the sleeping cheetah has taken on its sibling’s forelegs. As cheetah photos go, it’s relatively unique, yet looking at it in the context of this post, I’m very aware that something is lost because of the lack of sparkle in the awake cheetah’s eyes. Cheetahs in general are tough to photograph with good eye-sparkle; their extended brows over their eyes which reduce glare, also hinder photographers trying to catch that elusive glint. The sun needs to be low, the cheetah needs to be looking up, or even a flash needs to be employed.
The photo below is nothing special as far as cheetah photos go (it’s actually of one of the same siblings in the picture above), but the right eye has a sparkle in it, so – for me at least – it is immediately more appealing. The photo was taken just before sunset, so the low light made it much easier to capture the eye-glint.

Cheetah Termite Mound

Exactly the same thing applies in the two elephant photos below. The top photo for me is far more appealing. I prefer the colour scheme in the second, and the isolation of the eye in the focal plane, but it doesn’t have the glint in it, so it’s missing that extra something.

A close-up of an Elephant’s Eye - Eye glint. Tick.

Elephant Eye Jt - No real eye-glint. Not good.

No real eye-glint. Not good.

Leopards and lions are far easier subjects in which to capture that elusive sparkle. Both species look up regularly. Lions scan the skies to follow vultures flying (as do leopards to a lesser extent), and leopards look up into the trees they are thinking of climbing.
All it takes is a bit of patience and ideally a basic understanding of animal behaviour, and you will recognise the moment when it comes.

Professional wildlife photographers will discard photos without eye-glint immediately, almost every time. I’m talking mainly about close-ups here, or at least medium-shots. Obviously one can’t hope for eye-glint in an entire herd of impalas.

Just sit tight; don’t be tempted to push the shutter button because the lion has its head up. Wait a few seconds or minutes, and it will invariably raise its eyes above the horizontal.

That’s your chance.

&Beyond Suyian: The Heart of Black Leopard Country

Posted on by James

The Laikipia district has risen to the fore as a prime safari destination in recent years due to the consistent sightings of the black leopard Giza.
This relaxed female splits her time between two sides of the Ewaso Narok river, and it is on the northern bank where &Beyond have built their stunning new lodge Suyian.

The lodge offers an array of adventures, allowing guests to create their perfect day in this conservation haven. Activities include day and night game drives, walking safaris, camel and horseback safaris, active ranching tours, and fishing. Experience local culture through village visits, or enjoy outdoor yoga, scenic helicopter flights, wellness treatments, and riverside picnics.
Nestled within a 44,000-acre wilderness, the lodge overlooks the Rock Sanctuary, a mesmerising landscape of undulating granite kopjes steeped in history, including ancient rock art. With only 14 rooms, this tranquil retreat ensures exceptional privacy amidst expansive plains and dramatic boulders. Guests enjoy sweeping views towards Mount Kenya.

Home to over 100 types of mammals, plus numerous endangered and non-endangered species, Suyian Conservancy’s variety of compelling landscapes, which includes grassland, savanna, rocky outcrops (or kopjes), dense Vechellia woodland, plus more than 16 km (10 mi) of river frontage, offers unforgettable wilderness views and up-close wildlife sightings. A hidden gem within northern Kenya’s Laikipia region, the conservancy houses one lodge, Suyian Lodge, named after the African wild dog in the local Maa language.

A sculptural structure of architectural brilliance, the lodge draws inspiration from its unique surrounds and its rounded appearance with plant growth atop mimics the region’s ancient Rock Sanctuary and the robust plant life that lives in between the granite edges. A harmonious blend of raw, earthy Africa materials with a contemporary flair, the lodge reflects the Afro Wabi-Sabi sentiment of taking pleasure in the transient nature of earthly things. Subtle cultural touches inspired by the local semi-nomadic Samburu tribe infuse with modest luxury while mottled undertones pay homage to the region’s most cherished wildlife, such as the rare African wild dog and elusive black (melanistic) leopard. Rich textures and colours enhance the lodge’s understated yet sophisticated feel, and the majority of the furniture and finishes are locally sourced and crafted by Kenyan artisans.

The lodge’s guest area echoes the flow of the kopjes across the valley, offering the perfect vantage point for viewing the conservancy’s incredible habitats along with the abundance of wildlife that calls it home. Accessed by a winding stone path, the lodge’s entrance courtyard opens onto a large circular, central bar that showcases breathtaking views of the open plains, while intimate, softly lit areas create cocoon-like spaces for guests to escape.

Each spacious Suite, constructed as if part of the unusual natural rocky formation, blends seamlessly into its surrounds. An outdoor terrace, featuring a private plunge pool and viewing deck, boasts magnificent sunrise views for early risers.

Previously, there were limited options if one wanted to seek out a black leopard, but Suyian now offers a supremely comfortable stay in an area hitherto relatively unexplored by safaris.

With over ten black leopards documented in the area by trail cam, who knows what other delights will soon form the mainstay of Suyian’s game viewing.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to start planning your trip…

Photography Tips & Tricks: What to Look for When Photographing Predators

Posted on by James

Paw, Tail, Ears, Eyes.

That’s it. The Magic Formula.

When photographing big cats – but not just them, not by any means – there are a few boxes to tick to really make the photo pop. We’re thinking broad picture now, zooming out and looking at the whole animal, and more specifically as it’s walking.

That is the key word here: “walking”. Some of these pointers apply in other situations, but all four are only really applicable when the animal is walking and its full body is visible.

Now, I only learnt this whole quadfecta (whats one up from a trifecta?) late in the game, but it makes so much more sense now why some photos are more eye-catching than others.

Have a look at this picture of a lioness seemingly approaching the vehicle (she had seen an antelope in the thicket on the far side):

Ntsevu Lioness Stalk

Her expression is fairly intent, and it’s hard to tear your eyes away. But WHY is it an appealing photo?
Let’s go through it according to the formula:

Eyes: Both open. Pupils Visible. Eye glint.
Ears: Both pointed forward. Crucial.
Paw: Raised, implying movement and therefore heightening the sense of anticipation in the photo.
Tail: Visible, ideally in mid-flick or movement.

It’s tricky to get all four lined up at the same time, but that’s exactly why it’s so much harder to capture a truly eye-catching image.
The following photo of lionesses walking down a road illustrates it nicely:

Ntsevu Lion Pride

The first lioness ticks the boxes, in almost exactly the same way as the first photo, she’s just looking to the side a bit more rather than at the camera.

As one goes back down the line however, the lionesses don’t quite make the cut. The second one is almost there, but her right ear is twisted slightly backwards, so we have to be brutal and disqualify her.
The third female has her ears back, her eyes closed and her tail isn’t visible, so she’s a massive sub-par for the course.

It’s the same for this leopard photo:

Mashaba Leopard

Ear twisted, tail hidden and paws still on the ground (pretty much). Plus she was close to the vehicle and the photograph was necessarily taken at a downward angle, which reduces the impact of the picture. It’s still a photo of a leopard, which is always lovely to capture, but it’s a long way from being anything great.

Nkoveni Leopard Grass

Technological advancements like big lenses and remote triggers can help massively when it comes to wildlife photography, as in the case of the photo of the a female leopar above, but there’s always a fair amount of luck involved. She too has her tail out, ears forward, eyes open and paw raised in this photo, but it was the only one of about 30 rapid-fire pics that made the cut. In the rest she was either blinking, swivelling an ear, hiding her tail or a combination of the above.

We can’t make an animal do what we want, but just remember the above four things to look for when photographing wildlife on the move; put your camera on high frame-rate and take a few more pictures and hope for the best.
And when browsing through your images in Lightroom after the event, you’ll now know which ones to look for…

Mana Sands: the Zambezi at its Best

Posted on by James

Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe has long been associated with wild adventure.
It is a place where Africa still feels like its is moving at the same pace it did thousands of years ago, and the rhythm of nature is uninterrupted by human presence.
The epicentre of walking safaris in Southern Africa, Mana Pools is where you can literally go on foot to join a pack of wild dogs as they get on the hunt, or you can stand mere metres from a giant bull elephant as he stands on his back legs to retrieve seedpods from the upper branches.
It feels like anything is possible in this spectacular wilderness of the Zambezi Valley, and with the construction of Mana Sands, a new luxury lodge on the western side of the park, the envelope of what a true bush experience is, is about to be pushed even further…

Mana Sands represents the realisation of a dream; the owners all share a deep love of nature and in particular of this stretch of the Zambezi River, where they all spent holidays as children. The development of the lodge represents a way for them to find a way back to those simple times of wonder, and to be able to pass on a similar feeling to their own children.

That is ultimately what the lodge is aiming to create for those who visit; a way back to a time before emails and traffic and bills and the complications of day to day life. A visit here will get you in touch with the essence of what it is to feel human. Mana Sands will give guests a rare opportunity to be part of a world where natureʼs raw beauty and untamed spirit come alive in the most extraordinary way.

Mana Sands is in fact two lodges; Mana Sands Main Camp, featuring six private ensuite tents each with an expansive private deck and plunge pool, whilst Little Mana, just downstream, boasts four private ensuite tents, each with a private deck, as well as two extended family units allowing space for up to two extra beds to be added for children.

Both camps offer a full range of bush adventures, from guided walks to tiger fishing excursions, birding-focused expeditions and everything in between. All are facilitated through highly competent, professional local guides.

Little delights surprise you at every turn, from gin and tonic stops on the riverbank to stargazing under the brilliance of the southern skies.

Whilst Mana Pools has been on our radar for some years now, it has been a while since we were as excited about this iconic destination; Mana Sands certainly looks like being our top new lodge of 2025.
Although they are still in the final stages of the lodge build, they will be opening for bookings come the new year, so don’t wait to enquire if the archetypal safari adventure is what you are after.

Get in touch through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about 2025’s most exciting new offering…

Hinkwenu for Thanksgiving

Posted on by Terri

Hinkwenu!

Thanksgiving is all about Hinkwenu: togetherness. The togetherness we feel around a table while sharing a meal, around the campfire, around the living room, around each other. We are grateful for Hinkwenu, particularly at this time of year when we remember our blessings, friendships, and good fortune.

In the United States, we give thanks around the dinner table with a hearty meal complete with family favourites – turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. We share in the spirit of gratitude for family, good health, and fall harvest, not forgetting that many countries have their own version of Thanksgiving celebrations.

England celebrates a bountiful harvest with music and food festivals in the fall months. Joaquim Nabuco brought US traditions to Brazil in 1940s, establishing the day with a carnival, church services, and parades. Canada gives thanks on the second Monday in October by hosting a traditional feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. In Mid-Autumn Festival in China, a three-day celebration includes a feast with mooncakes, dragon dancing, and lantern lighting. Korean Thanksgivings involve a three-day holiday during which people visit their ancestral hometowns to prepare a traditional rice cake –  songpyeon – to celebrate.

This year, I think of the many aspects of Africa that bless me with each visit: the unrestricted wildlife, vast savannas, lush rainforests, dramatic mountains, arid deserts, and pristine beaches. The warm weather. The sense of community – Ubuntu – permeates through the continent. The delicious cuisine: chakalaka, Moroccan stew, koki corn, and pilau. The sense of freedom. The deep connection to the land and vistas.

With a heart filled with gratitude, I extend to you the opportunity to express your appreciation for the iconic nature of Africa. As many Thanksgiving celebrations extend past the table and onto acts of charity, sharing time with family and friends, congenial sporting events, and decorating the mantle with pomegranates, leafy boughs, and spiced oranges, my Thanksgiving celebration includes contributing to the place where I feel most connected – the place I think of as home.

And, I invite you to do the same: your philanthropy to Iconic Africa’s Foundation demonstrates a genuine commitment to the conservation of Africa’s breathtaking wilderness and the people who care for it and live amongst it. Your travel with Iconic Africa assures wilderness conservation and the alleviation of poverty on the continent: protect rhinos, conserve lions and their habitats, create green energy, support ecological research and widespread education, as well as development in rural communities.

November presents a time to express generosity of spirit. We invite you to extend the kind of gratitude that making lasting, positive change to a unique part of our world.

Celebrate Hinkwenu.

Celebrate Africa.

Sala’s Camp: Prime Migration Viewing

Posted on by James

Sala’s Camp first hosted guests in 2004 and has become renowned for delivering an authentic Masai Mara safari experience with exceptional personalised service and fine dining.
Seamlessly combining a traditional ‘under canvas’ safari experience with contemporary comfort, including private plunge pools and glass fronted tents, Sala’s Camp offers an unforgettable and magical Mara retreat.

Owned and operated by The Safari Collection, it can be booked for the night or as part of a complete tailor-made safari. The magic of a Kenya safari doesn’t end with Sala’s Camp. The Safari Collection is the proud owner of four distinct lodges in some of Kenya’s most spectacular locations, including Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Solio Lodge in Laikipia, Sasaab in Samburu and Sala’s Camp in the Masai Mara.

Sala’s sits in one of the best locations in the whole of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Intimate and secluded, it is nestled along the tree lined banks of the Sand River in the southern tip of the reserve. One can literally look out from your room to the Tanzanian border only a kilometre or two away, with the Serengeti National Park forming the backdrop with its rolling, grass-covered hills. This also means that it is one of the first camps in the Mara to witness the annual wildebeest migration which comes pouring in from June to September each year. Major crossing points on the Mara River are only an hour’s drive away, and the Sand River itself, right on your doorstep, regularly sees herds streaming over in their thousands

With teeming wildlife year round, Sala’s game drives never disappoint. Lions in particular are plentiful in this part of the reserve, and being far from the entrance gates means that you will enjoy regular sightings all to yourself. Cook-out breakfasts and sundowners out on the savannah make for magical memories. The landscape is spectacular, the birdlife impressive and the feeling of being totally immersed in nature cannot be beaten.

Enjoy world class bird watching, spectacular star-gazing and epic sundowners on the savannah with our vintage mobile bar. When you’re not out discovering the wonderful wildlife there’s plenty to do back at camp, including nature walks and games in the Sand River when the water is low enough.

Kenya’s Masai Mara is home to one of the largest overland migrations of animals in the world. Between June and September each year, 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 Thompson gazelles, 200,000 zebra and thousands of other antelope cross the border into Kenya from Tanzania on their seasonal migration. Drama, dust and danger abound. Guests of Sala’s camp who are lucky enough to catch this famous spectacle are treated to one of the greatest shows on earth. Witnessing the Great Migration is a real bonus to an already mind-blowing Masai Mara safari experience. Searching for greener pastures, exact movements of the wildebeest herds change each year. As they enter into Kenya however, crossing the Mara River is one path they cannot avoid. Famous for providing documentary-worthy footage, river crossings are a tense spectacle. Predators lurk and the journey is treacherous. Be sure to have your camera at the ready as you never know what might happen.

The word ‘Mara’ comes from the Maa word for ‘spotted’ (Maa being the official language of the Maasai people). The name comes from the spotted appearance of the land from above, as it is all dotted with Acacia and Ballanites trees. The professionally trained Maasai guides at Sala’s Camp are passionate and knowledgeable about all the animals, plants and trees you will encounter on safari and offer fascinating insights into the ecosystem as well as their traditional culture.

T

At Sala’s you will feel like you have the great plains of the Maasai Mara all to yourself, a rare thing in a conservation space which of late has started to gain the reputation for crowds.
This almost untouched part of Kenya will provide almost everything you could want on an East African safari.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about Sala’s Camp, the Safari Collection, and the endless plains of the Maasai Mara and Serengeti in general…

King’s Pool: A River Runs Through It

Posted on by James

Named after Swedish King Carl Gustav XVI, who honeymooned in the Linyanti in the 1970s, King’s Pool sits on a stunning Oxbow lagoon off the Linyanti River in northern Botswana. The area is pristine and remote and particularly known for its impressive elephant and predator numbers. King’s Pool Camp was treated to a major renovation in the first half of 2019 and offers both water and land activities (water-level dependent).

The camp has always had a traditional and elegant style. The level of luxury has increased with every refurbishment but the camp has still retained is the classic safari design and feel.

 
 

The traditional thatching allows the camp to blend seamlessly with the beauty of its surroundings. Huge Jackalberry trees overhang the rooms and lagoon, providing a haven for birds to feed in the branches, and providing shade for antelope and – particularly in the dry season – small herds of elephants that come down to the water to quench their thirst.
The décor takes inspiration from the patterns and restful colours of the local craft of basket-weaving and the dining area’s walls are covered in striking screens with a basketry-influenced black and white graphic. Teal blue and copper tones provide accents of colour and the rebuild has re-employed materials from the old camp, in wooden flooring and reclaimed doors.

The rooms are a blend of stretch canvas walls, set on raised wooden decking. Inside, large four poster beds make for a comfortable night’s sleep after the day’s safari activities, en suite bathrooms with double basins, indoor and outdoor showers make sure you always feel clean and fresh. A ‘mini gym’ of weights and yoga mat is provided.

The main area at King’s Pool Camp is a large open-sided structure that flows out onto viewing decks. The location brings frequent sighting of elephants crossing the Linyanti River, whilst hippos lounge in the shallows and impala and the shy bushbuck feed on shoots and leaves down near the water. The communal areas are extremely well presented with the same earthy colour palette and leather and metal furnishings. There is an infinity pool, library and bar which enjoy beautiful views over the lagoon.

 

The wildlife experience in the Linyanti concession is fantastic; particularly during the dry season from June to October when water resources are limited and everything flocks to the river to drink. This is a mainly land-focused camp although barge trips are available on a fantastic double storey barge when water levels permit (mainly April to August). Buffalo herds can number into the thousands and at its peak the Linyanti Reserve offers some of the best plains game viewing in existence. Leopards slink through the riparian vegetation and the alarm chatter of monkeys is a common indicator of where the spotted cats are moving.
The area falls right in the middle of KAZA (Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) which boasts the largest elephant population in Africa, so you are guaranteed to enjoy many sightings of these magnificent pachyderms.

The underground hide at a small pan only a few minutes drive from camp is an absolute must! During the height of the dry season you can enjoy an almost constant stream of wildlife coming to drink during the heat of the day, including rarer antelope species like Roan and Sable. Seeing an elephant’s trunk and legs within touching distance is an experience of a lifetime and this chance to get up close is particularly exciting from a photography perspective

The Linyanti Concession as a whole (which King’s Pool enjoys full access to) is not just limited to the river front. Guests also have the opportunity to venture down towards the famous Savuti Channel, well-known for its lion population. Exploring this waterway offers a whole new perspective on life out here on the fringes of the Kalahari.

Get in touch with us through info@iconicafrica.com to find out more about King’s Pool and the Linyanti region, and let’s start planning your northern Botswana circuit…