View allAll Photos Tagged bigfive
Cape Buffalo (male). Known as Black Death, the Cape Buffalo is one of the most dangerous creatures in Africa. They lie in the water holes and mud bogs to keep cool and to coat the skin with mud to deflect the heat and biting insects.
After we have had lunch we were very sleepy but we have had to keep on driving. So nobody was looking for animals while we drove on bumpy dirt roads. A little later Stan (our Guide and driver) stopped the car. He turned around slowly and whispered: „There are lions on the left.“ You can’t believe how fast tired tourists are awake and ready to shoot ;) In literally seconds everybody has had his camera ready and was looking at three big male lions which were laying right next to us. We all were full of adrenalin… what a great luck again!
If you want to see the other images of my trip through southern Afrika please see my Flickr album: "Southern Africa 2014".
Löwen am westlichen Rand des Makgadikgadi-Pans-Nationalparks (Botswana).
Lions in the Most Western Part of the Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve (Botswana).
The social structure of lion prides continues to fascinate me, as I'm sure it does many. Several adult females can support an nursery of cubs, and cubs may move from one adult female to another for support and nursing. Of course the adults are also there to keep order and teach appropriate behavior. A snarl, a roar, and a glancing blow with a giant paw are not unusual for the cub that does not want to listen. Even with all this community care a large number of cubs will not survive their first year of life. For those that do, the bonds of the pride are something that remain instinctive. #iloveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Tanzania #Nature in #Africa #Serengeti #Lions #LionCubs #DrDADBooks #Canon #WildlifeConservation
Ein Afrikanischer Elefant am westlichen Rand des Makgadikgadi-Pans-Nationalparks (Botswana).
An African Bush Elephant in the Most Western Part of the Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve (Botswana).
An alpha male chases a vulture from a recent kill. The unlucky eland, Africa’s largest antelope, was taken down just hours earlier by the Ngorongoro pride. The lions have, for the most part, finished with the carcass, but are always reluctant to allow other predators and scavengers take over. Chasing the vultures and predators that arrive next, however, is akin to chasing shadows. There is only so much energy that any lion can expend on a battle that is futile. Eventually, vultures, hyenas, and jackals move in and the lions move off to sleep, relegated to chasing shadows to shield them from the heat of the sun. #Lions
Big Tom cat at Kwando Lebala,
the guide and trackers were tracking this cat for almost 2 days, at least they found it.
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It's dark, I'm tired, and filled with excitement. Having just woken well before sunrise, I ready myself in my safari tent and make my way to the recreation lounge where I'll meet my jeep safari driver. When I visited Namibia several years earlier, I managed to see four of the Big Five. The leopard has eluded me until now, but even though it's early, I know my luck is about to change.
My willingness to trade a lack of sleep for the privilege to be first into the national park has paid off. Still before dawn, I'm in the first jeep to arrive at the gates of Yala National Park. Home to perhaps the densest population of leopards anywhere in the world, the prospect of sighting a leopard here is strong. Even more likely though, is the wild ride and jockeying for position that comes with a steady influx of tourists all eager to go on their own jeep safaris.
One of two lion brothers that we encountered on a productive morning game drive in the Khwai Concession, Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Here, the impressive male lion is engaged in the flehmen response.
Seeing these Elephants walk miles to reach this little Oasis was a true delight. They frolicked in the water and trumpeted all around. I particularly liked the light on this shoot and hopefully captured it well for you all to see:
Ein Leopard mit seinem Jungen im Moremi-Wildreservat (Okavangodelta, Botswana).
A Leopard with Cub in the Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta, Botswana).
... with great sightings!
No crop!
70mm
This is a relaxed lonesome, old bull, whom we saw often on our trip in Kruger. No need to fear.
I really love the perspective!
August 20, 2025 - Leopard (Panthera pardus) seen on our morning game drive in Chobe National Park, Botswana
Another beautiful, wild Lion, yet another unique mane. There have been two likely explanations for the lion’s mane, one for protecting its neck during a fight and the second is for attracting females. It is thought that possibly the color and fullness of a mane might be an indication of its fitness. The denser and darker the mane, the healthier the lion, and therefore the most desirable to females. It is not known for sure though since there are successful alpha males with manes of all colors and lengths. In either case, thicker, darker manes, will raise body temperature, causing the lion to suffer in the hot sun. January 30, 2017
During our third day in the Okavango Delta, we encountered two lion brothers in the morning.
The lions were somewhat active, searching for something and patrolling their territory.
Here, one of the lions leads the mission, with his brother following him in the distance.
Spending time with lions -- especially males -- is always a rewarding experience when on safari in Africa.
Zwei Junglöwen des "Fig Tree"-Rudels in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
Two young members of the "Fig Tree" lion pride in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
I found this Masai Mara adult female elephant and her baby along with an adolescent strolling across the Masai Mara plain in search of food.
Of all the predators in Africa, lions consistently sent chills up my spine when in close proximity. They are the only animal that stare at you right in the eye, and hold your gaze.... daring you to look away. That piercing stare instantly conveys the sense of how insignificant man is (without his guns) in what little is left of wild Africa.
Ein Löwenjunges des "Rongai"-Rudels in der Masai Mara (Kenia).
A "Rongai" pride lion cub in the Maasai Mara (Kenya).
A morning game cruise on the Chobe River brought us a sighting that we did not expect: a pride of lions drinking and playing on the Botswana-side bank of the Chobe River.
The morning had started with a trip to Elephant Bay in search of African fish eagles, but it was quiet. Once word of a lion sighting came through, we soared west along the Chobe River to find the lions.
I was fortnate enough on our approach to capture this image of a lioness drinking from the river in the golden light before my view was obstructed by safari vehicles and boats.
Seeing African big cats from the Chobe River (on which we are entirely based for this segment of the trip) is not very common, and mostly comes down to luck. Twice now, we have been rewarded with the presence of big cats on the Chobe River.