A Wilderness Birthday

45 Replies

Parents often anguish about the perfect gift to give their children on their birthdays. This year however, for us anyway, things couldn’t have worked out better in preparation for Joubert’s 12th birthday.

You see, the minimum age requirement to join one of the wilderness trails in the Kruger National Park is 12 years. Joubert has been wanting to go on a trail for almost as long as he can walk. When a late cancellation then became available on the Sweni Trail, the most popular of all the trails in the Kruger Park, right on his birthday, there was just no way we could pass on the opportunity, even if it means he’ll have to work very hard to catch up his missed school work this coming week.

Joubert and I spent the past week in the Kruger National Park, half of it on the trail. This first set of photographs were all taken in the days leading up to his wilderness birthday.

Klipspringer
Elephant youngster wielding his weapon of choice
Sable Antelope bull
Baboon murder
Hamerkop at sunset
Black-backed Jackal
Hunting Cheetah
Lazy Leopard
Leaping Kudu
Lions at Orpen Rocks

Of course, there’s a bunch of stories to be told – and you can be sure that we will – but as a little teaser, Joubert was 12 years and 1 day old when these lions took offence at us invading their territory ON FOOT. We will tell you all about it soon.

The wide-angle lens doesn’t show adequately how close those lionesses were!
Yep, she’s growling at us!
And here she comes!

 

45 thoughts on “A Wilderness Birthday”

  2. naturebackin's avatarnaturebackin

    What remarkable photos each with a story to tell. I loved the klipspringer and the sable, but then there are more and more! And so many questions to ask, such as was that a literal baboon murder? I look forward to many of the questions being answered in future posts.
    Happy birthday to Joubert and what an awesome 12th birthday present!

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  9. H.J. for avian101's avatarH.J. for avian101

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOUBERT!
    Wat ‘n wonderlike geskenk van jou pappa, om ‘n week in ‘n paradys vir fotografie deur te bring!
    🙂 🎂

    Reply ↓
  11. sustainabilitea's avatarsustainabilitea

    A belated happy birthday, Joubert. I can see it was a marvelous day and it sounds as if there was some excitement as well. Love the featured photo most but I enjoyed them all. I’m looking forward to the rest of the story.

    Reply ↓
  13. Anne's avatarAnne

    What a marvellous birthday gift – a happy and fulfilling year ahead for you, Joubert! Back to the photographs – the action shots are fantastic and the lioness in the header is an outstanding photograph!!

    Reply ↓

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