Dream, Explore, Discover

The cheetah was focused on a gazelle that was unaware it was being watched and grazing less than 100 yards away. The cheetah watched patiently until the gazelle turned away and lowered its head to graze. In a nanosecond, she exploded into a high-speed sprint and was on the gazelle before it knew what was happening. She knocked it down and waited for her three sub-adult cubs to catch up. She released the gazelle for them to practice their hunting skills that would be necessary for their survival.

The cubs seemed to think it was a game of catch and release. They let it go three times before finally taking the animal down for their meal. When the cubs are old enough and have learned to hunt, their mother will make a final kill for them. As they focus on eating she will walk away and never return. The cubs will be left on their own to fend for themselves. Surviving as a cheetah is a tough life.

We were in Kenya’s Masai Mara and hoped to see one of the famous river crossings of the great migration. Our first morning we witnessed three large herds of wildebeest and zebra crossing the river! At times it was sheer pandemonium! Thousands of animals making their way to and across the river! What a fantastic spectacle of nature it was! More photos of the crossings are featured at the bottom of the newsletter.

Hyena pups are born black. As they grow older their color will change to match that of their parents. Finding this young one, content to remain out in the open, was a treat for us because they often run into their den when a vehicle approaches. These two appeared comfortable with us taking photos of them.  It was a special moment for us.

In Amboseli National Reserve we spotted this immature Purple Heron trying to eat what looked like a mudfish.  The fish looked way too big but check out the next photo!

Down the hatch! Wow! I would not have believed had I not photographed it with my camera.

In Tarangire National Park in Tanzania, this buffalo with massive horns kept a watchful eye on us while our cameras clicked away.  He didn’t appear to be bothered by the Red-billed Oxpecker climbing on his face.

I always love watching the behavior of animals, especially that of baby elephants. This little, new one was getting a quick drink before the mother moved ahead.

Thomson’s gazelle are small, delicate antelope that are also a favorite prey of cheetahs. Gazelle is not an easy catch even though cheetahs have been clocked running at speeds up to 65 and 70 mph. Gazelle can reach 55 mph but they also can make sharp turns at high speeds to dodge their predators. Cheetahs are successful in approximately 30 percent of their hunts.

This good-looking pair of lions was getting some alone time along the upper portion of the Munge River in Ngorongoro Crater.

Africa, a majestic world unlike any other. No other continent has so much beauty to offer nature lovers and wildlife photographers alike. It is beautifully rich with incomparable wildlife, beautiful, friendly people, and majestic landscapes. Join me on an African photo safari for the trip of your lifetime!

The Pygmy Falcon is a small but beautiful bird of prey.  It feeds on lizards, insects, and small rodents.

Imagine your feeling of exhilaration at seeing an elephant crossing the road just a few feet in front of your vehicle! We were driving through Larai Forest in Ngorongoro Crater when this big bull elephant casually made his way across the road. Why not join us on a photo safari and see this for yourself?

A baboon watches with a natural curiosity as wildebeest begins to gather on the opposite river bank. Wildebeest are very unpredictable because they don’t have a leader and simply follow one another. If one crosses the river, others will follow. On several occasions, I have seen older animals try to push young ones into the river to see if they will survive crossing the river. If they do, the older animals will follow.

Zebra seems to be the smarter animal and is very cautious. If they cross, it is usually safe to do so and the wildebeest will follow.

Wildebeest nervously walking in the water in search of a crossing point.

A zebra drops down the bank in preparation for the crossing. They are aware that there might be crocodiles hidden below the surface of the water. Everyone is tense.

Then the wildebeest go. One enters the water and they begin leaping off of the river banks into the water.

The wildebeest are fearful of what lies below the surface. Their fear appears evident by the look in their eyes, but they swim on! Driven by the migratory instinct, the animals risk crossing the river on an endless search for grazing lands offering fresh food for the massive herds.

Never, Ever Give Up!

This certainly looked like a death sentence for the wildebeest! When the crocodile opened his jaws wide, the wildebeest turned to face the danger and forced its horn into the roof of the croc’s mouth. It must have been painful because the monster croc immediately opened its jaws wider, freeing the wildebeest, then swam off in search of an easier meal!

Raw Power

A wildlife photo safari in Africa is at the top of many people’s bucket lists. We have designed our photo safaris to take clients to the best locations for wildlife viewing and/or photography in each country. These are phenomenal trips so I hope you will be able to join me for your trip of a lifetime! You don’t need to be a photographer but you should enjoy watching wildlife because that is our focus.

Cautious Leopard

She was returning to her cubs after an unsuccessful hunt.  She looked tired and hungry and was heading back to the den where she had hidden her cubs under exposed roots of a large tree when she spotted a troop of baboons in the trees nearby.  She made a detour into the riverbed and was undetected by the baboons.

Mother Topi and Calf

I love the variety of wildlife that we encounter on safari.  There is always something for everyone! The gift of a photo safari to a loved one will be the gift of a lifetime!

Grants Gazelle bucks were busy sparring with hopes of eventually impressing some females and gathering together a harem.

Serval Cat

Saddle-billed Stork

While these young baboons played on the electric fence, I spotted the one below enjoying something different.

Ohh! That is some good weed!

Warthog Line Up

Grey Crowned Crane

Elephants Stampeding Toward Water

Jackal Pups Playing

A Tranquil Morning

I hope you will join me on safari in the future for your African safari adventure of a lifetime!   May your days be filled with fantastic photo adventures and as always, remember to enjoy each day. 

~Paul Renner 

This is my 11th year of leading African Photo Safaris that offer the very best of African wildlife. Over 1000 photo enthusiasts and adventurers have enjoyed our trips. These excursions are reasonably priced and include stunning luxury accommodations, as well as international and regional airfare. One unique aspect of my safaris in East Africa is that we seat only three participants per vehicle, allowing ample space for unobstructed game viewing, photography and your equipment. Another unique feature of our expeditions is that I personally escort each of the trips. We do longer game drives, spending mornings and afternoons in the game reserves, and our evenings are spent around a campfire reminiscing over the day’s activities. It also is a time where photographic ideas are shared and tips are given on getting the best results with your camera. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to welcome you on a unique and unforgettable safari to Africa.

Our safaris make wonderful Christmas or graduation gifts that will be remembered and cherished for a lifetime!

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I hope that you will be able to join us on one of our safaris in the not so distant future. It will be your trip of a lifetime!