Zimanga Private Game Reserve – by Jeremy Williamson

PHOTOGRAPHERS !

The Zimanga Private Game Reserve is offering an incredible product to anyone who would like a ‘way better opportunity’, to secure excellent photographs - of our bird life in particular, and general wildlife as well.

With guidance from an International specialist, Charl Senekal has brought the concept and technology of sophisticated dedicated low level birdbath, large lagoon and mammal hides, to South Africa.

The Zimanga Private Game Reserve hide expansion program is underway. Two, four person hides were the start. One dedicated to suit morning light and the second to enhance bird images in afternoon light.  Critical attention to the background makes for an evenly blurred bokeh.



Entrance to one of the 4 person hides

Then the ambitious Lagoon Hide was conceptualised and finally opened on the 1^st June 2015. Lana and I were fortunate to be guests after the opening of this unique development.

Air-conditioned hides with executive wheeled chairs, wheeled  Manfrotto tripods with sophisticated Gimbals, special  one-way glass and expert advice from our guide Brendan Jennings, an accomplished photographer, we were set for our avian arrivals.

With a drive time of just over 3 hours from Durban we arrived in time for lunch at The Ghost Mountain Inn.  A delightful, Far and Wild Safaris preferred venue in the area. Craig Rutherford and his team, have one of Zululand’s  finest, friendliest hotels – highly recommended - and they do try and accommodate guests visiting Zimanga by extending the breakfast  availability time a tad – breakfast normally ends at 09h30, about when guests return from a morning hide session at the nearby Zimamga Game Reserve. Should Zimanga visitors be of the ilk that would probably extend their early morning visit, I suggest arranging a packed breakfast take-away. Zimanga have a selfcatering Lodge equitably close which may be booked instead.

Lunch on the terrace of the Ghost Mountain Inn,

an excellent cappuccino rather than wine (there was serious work ahead), checked into our room, a final look over our photographic equipment and off to meet Brendan Jennings, our guide for the next couple of days.

Brendan met us at the Zimanga Game Reserve main entrance gate on the N2 just outside of Mkuze Village.

  “Would you like to see a Cheetah on a kill”, he led us to the nearby engorged Cheetah, digesting his meal in the shade of an Acacia tree, the remains of an Impala discarded in the sun. We exited our vehicle and with cautious approach, to not spook or chase off this magnificent feline, we were able to get reasonably close on foot for some clearer photo opportunity.

We drove through to the main farm house and its most magnificent Aloe garden - many in bloom, such a variety of species that the various racemes  in flower would offer an extended colourful period for some considerable time, well worth a visit on its own, nectar feeders aplenty - where we parked our car. Loaded the game drive vehicle for the ride through to the hide.

The Seneka's vast Aloe garden

A herd of impala, still in rut, some kudu and nyala, quite relaxed as we rode by. We were to commence our bird photography experience by visiting the new Lagoon hide first.  We entered a screened passage-way to the hide foyer / entrance.

In the foyer we removed our shoes and left any items not needed in the hide, and followed Brendan into the tunnel leading down to the partially submerged hide.

Through the door into the hide itself,

I was somehow not quite expecting this advantaged viewpoint, it initially felt a bit weird to have the water of the dam lapping up virtually against the viewing windows. I got used to it, quickly. What an aspect!  We clipped our lenses into the Gimbals and the photography began.

The Lagoon Hide

Note the air-cond and block-out curtaining for each sides viewing window

Every now and again Brendan would suggest a possible change in camera setting. For an amateur photographer such as myself, the photographic opportunities offered by being in such close proximity to our subjects,

Portrait - Grey Heron

and with them being total unaware that we were present in the hide, certainly gave me plenty to experiment with.

Great Egret - formerly Great White Egret

Sliding effortlessly on the smooth laminated flooring, I could easily move between two cameras I had set up, giving me different focal lengths, this made for some creative work. Lana secured some advantage by hand-holding a camera, this allowing her to take pictures of some of the more secretive birds on the edges of the normal workable area.

As the sun raced across the sky, so we could take advantage from either side of the hide, taking care to keep the screen curtains closed so as not to reveal our presence.

Grey Heron

African Jacana

Later in the afternoon the light waned, ISO's were up but photo opportunity was down

Eventually the sun tucked itself to bed and we headed back to our hotel, forsaking the sundowner drinks and snacks offer, as we were to meet folk at the hotel before dinner, we were also quite keen to see what our images looked like. Batteries needed charging, mine too.

It’s an early start at the morning hides, in order to take advantage of the dawn changing light conditions and too, the ‘early bird. We followed Brendan through to the parking,  loaded our gear, added a few layers of clothing and climbed aboard the open game viewing vehicle – off to Bhejane Hide this morning.

Bhejane hide entrance with the "bird-bath" beyond.

This is a far smaller, intimate hide. Down some stairs and into the 4 seater hide with its low aspect over a water hole, having a narrow rim parallel to the hide’s glass. This consequently has the subjects all pretty much within the same equidistant focal plane.

Yellow-fronted Canary

Acacia Pied Barbet

Crested Barbet

Green-winged Pytila

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow

 

Speckled Mousebirds

Apparently the disadvantage of this rim, is only that when mammals visit, they have their lower limbs out of view, rendering the amputated image less than perfect. This ‘problem’ is, I am sure, why Charl has decided to create a dedicated mammal hide with overnight facilities, where the ground will slope down to the water’s edge, negating any unwanted shortening of the animals’ limbs.  Charl has Kelvin adjustable lighting planned for this one – interesting.

Here we have totally different conditions from the large Lagoon hide. No large birds wading to and fro, smaller birds arrive at the rim and drink. It’s how one captures these images, that renders it a good photograph. In order to make it more interesting, capturing these ever moving little birds in flight, would certainly add to the dynamics of the picture, juggling the aperture, shutter,  ISO for that perfect capture.

A Dark-capped Bulbul

An African Jacana making its getaway

Giant Kingfisher

 We shall have to return to improve on our inflight imagery.

In the afternoon we visited the mKhombe hide. Similar concept hide to Bhejane  except that as there is a lot more schrubbery in the immediate vicinity of the hide, a slightly different species list is evident. A bonus is that we had Pink-throated twinspots, Red-billed and Jameson’s Firefinches parading, flitting, before our lenses.

Pink-throated Twinspot male

Red-billed Firefinch

Blue Waxbill

Blue Waxbill

Green-winged Pytila - formerly Melba Finch

Spectacled Weaver

Glossy Starling

Village Weaver

At this hide the shrubbery on the sides offered a perch and haven for the twinspots and blue waxbills.

A pair of Pink-throated Twinspots

This evening we gladly accepted Brendan’s offer of a sundowner, off to the main dam and the sun sank below the horizon, a Whisky in hand and a final call from Africa’s iconic Fish Eagle – what a day.

Rested and replenished by the hospitality of the Ghost Mountain Inn we were at the gates to Zimanga for our early morning Lagoon Hide session.

In the dim dawn light a silhouetted hamerkop was there,

Hamerkop and Egret. The electric wires will be used to keep the birds from dirtying the glass.

looking for some fish or morsel, as too a grey heron and a great egret. Lots of varying light options here, so accessible and so unique.

Great Egret - got one !

Great Egret

Egyptian Goose

Lana's magnificent back lit Great Egret

Blacksmith Lapwing

Lana and Brendan at the ready

What a privilege to have been able to take advantage of what has to be one of the finest hide experiences in our country – and there is more to come, well done the Senekals.

I would suggest that you try for more than one hide session. The birds are wild and nature influences their attendance at these water-holes, particularly in summer when there is ample surface water about, other than at these facilities. Bring plenty of memory space and if you are after securing these little birds in flight, a super fast card at that.

All photographs by Jeremy and Lana Williamson

Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge – by Jeremy Williamson

Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge is a wonderful example of how some Game Reserve Lodge  facilities in South Africa are able to offer exemplary,  accommodation, meals and in particular – what it is all about, the extremely good guided wildlife experiences.

Nambiti Plains Game Lodge is centrally situated in the rather excellent Malaria free, Nambiti Private Game Reserve, at Elandaslaagte, close to Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Approximately 11,000 Ha and expanding a bit, the Nambiti Game reserve hosts the Big Five as well as a rather unusual diversity of antelope species.  Located at a more elevated altitude, species such as Black Wildebeest, Eland, Blesbuck and Red Hartebeest thrive.

The drive from Durban on the N3, through Ladysmith and to the Nambiti Game Reserve’s northern Memorial Gate (commemorating the Battle of Elandslaagte  of the 2^nd Anglo-Boer War) took Lana and I, a comfortable 3 hours, sign the indemnity and entrance voucher at the gate, then a short drive to an enclosed shaded car park, where our vehicle would remain for the duration of our stay – no private vehicle driving around in the Nambiti Game Reserve. Well - we did however, on one occasion, come across a small hire car with ashen faced occupants, who had somehow made an incorrect turn, and were inadvertently “doing their own game drive”!  

Dave from Nambiti Plains Game Lodge was there to greet us and transfer the two of us the short distance to the Lodge. He was to be our guide for the next 2 days, one gets such an insight to the wilds from these experienced Game Rangers.

Nambiti Plains is a delightful small Five Star venue , presently consisting of 5 suites, two of which are immediately adjacent, with a common entrance foyer offering private access to either room, or convenient as a family suite, where the foyer could provide safe access between the two rooms. Another family suite is presently nearing completion, then allowing the Lodge a guest compliment of 14. A well run Private Lodge - managed by the affable Brent Scott.

The family suites

Main Lodge, water-hole, boma suites 1 and 2

Main Lodge, water-hole, swimming pool, rooms 1 and 2 to the left, family suite on right

Welcomed by the ever helpful Lodge staff, a warm towel, refreshing drink and an intro to the Lodge facilities by the lovely Jesse. Dave had in the interim transferred our considerable luggage and photographic equipment to our suite. We wended our way to our room through the bush, almost brushing past some particularly friendly Nyala, to our delightful  thatched Chalet.

What a room. Mosquito draped King-sized bed,

A welcome note and information with regards to the Lodge and surrounding area;

... loungers on the deck with a lovely unobstructed view over the Nambiti Plains!

Bird watching from the deck

  Table and chairs for a “Private Dinner” on the deck one evening, perhaps ?

  

 
 I liked the separate loo with the rest of the facilities being open plan. Outside shower with a view.
  

Private toilet and outside shower

Double vanity, bath and indoor shower

I might just indulge in the outside shower whilst Lana would probably prefer the indoor one.

To lunch, tables laid on the expansive deck, under a large Strangler Fig Tree, with those panoramic views out over the Nambiti plains and to the water-hole too, merely meters from the deck.

There was quite a passing parade of animals visiting this source of refreshment, nyala, water buck, kudu and zebra. Whilst enjoying lunch,  a herd of elephant arrived – the muddy waters of the water-hole were chosen by only a few in the herd, what the majority wanted, was the clear waters of the swimming pool. It was angelic seeing the diminutive youngsters, who really could hardly reach this source, useing their trunks to siphon off their tipple.

The private Lodge programme’s normally allow for a fair amount of time between the game drives, meals and later activities for guests to relax, sun bathe, swim in the sparkling elephant friendly pool - enjoy Africa at its best..
Nambiti Private Game Reserve has some ruly scenic venues, the Cascades and Gorge of the Sundays River is particularly beautiful.

The suites have a handy tea station and the bar is open.

As does the Main Lodge..

The tea station in the dining room

The main Lodge has a large comfortable lounge  with cozy fire place

.. a convivial well stocked bar..

At Nambiti Plains Game Lodge, the wildlife enthusiasts are able to be almost constantly engaged , what with the animals visiting the water-hole, those in the camp, those on the plains and then the plethora of birdlife in the surrounds.

Ant-eating Chat

African Hoopoe - Zulu ; Umzolozolo

Luncheon with a really good bottle of wine from their cellar, 

relax and then back for tea, cake and departure on the afternoon game drive. Nambiti Plains has a rather unique open game drive vehicle that affords easy access, especially for us older folk, the one side drops down for low egress.

Morning comfort stop

In the foyer of the main lodge there is an easel with blackboard with the daily menu, one was

Lunch 13h30
Roast BBQ Pork Chops with chef salad.
Dessert -Mango Panna cotta – delish

Dinner 19h30
African Spring rolls with sweet chilli dipping sauce. Braised Oxtail with sweet potato mash.
Dessert - Caramel peppermint mousse.

The following evening we were treated to an alfresco Boma dinner, seated under the stars and adjacent to a warming fire – a wonderful experience and with a traditional South African Braai (Barbecue) for dinner followed by another local dish Sticky Malva pudding for dessert

The Boma in preparation

Then return to our cozy suite, turned down and with that little extra 'to bed' treat for the chocaholic !

Turn down

A bath?

During the 4 guided game drives we went on, there were some excellent sightings to be had. It is on these drives that one can have amazing encounters. We had the Nambiti Game Reserve’s largest elephant, BFE and a mate of his, one morning,

BFE

Minor road block

then later  a pride of lion with one of the males giving us an incredible photo opportunity.

 Later we had warthog , looking  all shiny and spruced up after a wallow.

 This game reserve must have the most relaxed kudu, and abundant they are too!

Kudu male

Nambiti Plains Lodge with Nyala drinking at the water-hole

 In all, the game viewing was up to expectation and some, with most of the high profile animals seen, and seen close to our game drive vehicle, sometimes too close, as one Australian guest felt , when a “roadblock” of elephant one evening, had them milling around fairly close in the gloaming. At least she would be staying an extra two nights to experience more, 4 nights in the bush, the ideal duration in my mind for such a Lodge visit, at the Nambiti Game Reserve. Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge is an excellent choice.

All photographs by Jeremy and Lana Williamson