Greetings, fellow adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts! Welcome to another edition of Konrad’s Wild Journey, where I take you along on my latest exploration of Southern Africa’s untamed beauty. This time, I ventured into the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and what an unforgettable experience it was! Here’s the debrief:
Nossob Area Adventures
The journey began in the Nossob region, where lions ruled the day. Though most of their activity was subdued, I managed to capture a few shots of them drinking and walking. While nothing groundbreaking, these majestic cats are always a thrill to see. The camp itself was alive with birdlife, from the dazzling swallow-tailed bee-eaters to the mysterious spotted eagle owl.
A memorable moment was witnessing a secretary bird braving a fierce sandstorm—nature’s resilience on full display. At Bitterpan, the night brought rare sightings of a brown hyena and an African wildcat quenching their thirst. Meanwhile, Polentswa Waterhole turned into a hunting ground for lanner falcons as they swooped down on unsuspecting birds. On a game drive with our guide, we were treated to a playful sight: bat-eared fox pups and a vibrant lilac-breasted roller. A special early morning photo session captured a hyena in the riverbed, bathed in soft dawn light.
Rain and Renewal at Mata-Mata
Heading toward Mata-Mata, we encountered a rare daytime sighting of a brown hyena departing from a waterhole. At Mata-Mata, the landscape transformed dramatically after heavy rains. White wildflowers and fresh green grass blanketed the Kalahari, creating a picturesque scene.
Highlights here included wildebeest basking in the ethereal hues of a Kalahari sunrise, a baby African wildcat perched in a tree, and a pair of yellow mongooses engaged in courtship right in camp. A long drive south yielded an extraordinary leopard sighting. We watched her scent-mark trees, drink from a waterhole, and even rest in the middle of the road. Though a group of lions teased us with the possibility of a perfect sunset photo, they opted for their usual nap instead—wildlife’s unpredictability at its finest!
The Search for Leopards at Twee Rivieren
Our final destination was Twee Rivieren, where whispers of two mother leopards with cubs near camp kept us on constant lookout. Despite our efforts, the elusive cats evaded us until our final morning. A guided game drive with SANParks changed everything. I almost skipped it after staying up late to submit entries for the Pangolin Photo Challenge—thankfully, I didn’t!
What followed was nothing short of breathtaking. We discovered one of the leopards with her cub AND an aardwolf kill. Even our guide was astonished, sharing that he’d never seen or heard of such a rare occurrence. This encounter crowned the trip and left us in awe of nature’s surprises.
Other Noteworthy Moments from Twee Revieren
The journey wasn’t without its unexpected highlights. After a long drought of cheetah sightings, a lone male perched atop a dune broke the streak. We also found a lone male lion having a standoff with four Spotted hyenas at a waterhole one early morning.
While our leopard quest was the main event, each day brought its own unique photographic opportunities, from secretive nocturnal predators to the vibrant pulse of birdlife in camp.
This Kgalagadi adventure reaffirmed why I’m passionate about exploring and capturing the wild. Each sighting, from the ordinary to the extraordinary, holds a story waiting to be told.
If you would like to purchase any of these images as fine art prints, you can contact me via the contact section on my website. If you would like to purchase one of my fine art prints via my website, you can have a look through my portfolio or wait until my newest Images have been added.
Thank you for joining me on this journey—I’m already planning the next one! (I will be heading to the Kruger Region to do EcoTraining’s 55-day field guide course in January and February)
Konrad Andrag
