Giraffes probably need no introduction, even for those who have never laid eyes on a living one before. No matter our familiarity with them, their unique features always ensure that they get the attention they deserve when we see them, and thankfully our December 2021 visit to the Satara area of the Kruger National Park delivered many wonderful encounters with the Camelhorse (direct translation of their Afrikaans name, Kameelperd).
Giraffe standing tall (photo by Joubert)
Giraffe portait
Long-legged Giraffe bull
Curious giraffe babies
Newborn Giraffe
Giraffe
Giraffe calf lying down in the tall grass near Nhlanguleni
Tall trio – Giraffes at Satara
Giraffe
Giraffe bull
Giraffes seeking shade in the mid-day heat near Nwanetsi
Resting Giraffe
Giraffe bull smelling a newborn calf
Towering Giraffe roadblock on the way to Tshokwane
That long face and extra long tongue can make for some comical expressions!
Cheeky Giraffe (photo by Joubert)
Cheeky Giraffe (photo by Joubert)
Cheeky Giraffe (photo by Joubert)
Cheeky Giraffe (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes might generally be regarding as the laid-back Hippies of Africa’s wild places, but bulls do get into heated arguments when it comes to their hierarchy and mating rights and it is not unheard of for a well-placed swing to knock over (or out!) one of the combatants. We had ring-side seats for this fight just south of Satara on the 14th of December.
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls (photo by Joubert)
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
Fighting Giraffe Bulls
They might be walking off, but the fight between these two giraffes is not over!
They’d even be at it on Christmas Day – these bulls were having it out near Nwanetsi on the 25th of December.
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
Giraffes fighting on Christmas Day 2021 (photo by Joubert)
To conclude this post, the iconic shot of a giraffe silhouetted against the colours of an African sunrise.
DeWetsWild 
The photo of them walking away together is sweet – and your warning that the quarrel wasn’t over was a good trigger to the imagination – to wonder what was next! Great series, and the final image would make a great book cover/wrap!
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Thank you very much, Lisa!
Giraffes are fascinating – both in how they look and how they behave!
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Great photo essay on giraffes. What a capture to see those images of the fighting giraffes. Fascinating!
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Thank you for the kind commentary (as per usual), John!
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I had never seen giraffes fighting before. Thank you for educating me on that aspect of their lives. Your last shot is colorful and awesome.
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That is very kind of you, Hien. Thank you.
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Giraffes are such curious looking creatures, ungainly and yet so lovely. Watching the two bulls fight must have been an incredible experience. And that last, sunset photo? Remarkable! ❤️
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They are the perfect combination of glorious and goofy!
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Pragtige foto’s … ek is verstom om te sien hoe hulle baklei. Op die foto met die motor in die pad, kan ‘n mens nou eintlik werklik sien hoe groot hulle kan word! En natuurlik, jou laaste foto met die kameelperd afge-ets teen die Afrika sonsondergang – die mooiste een vir my!
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Wonderful photos of these incredible animals. Thanks, Dries and Joubert!
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Glad to know you enjoyed these, Jane. Thank you!
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What can I say: I love watching giraffes.
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We do too, Anne. Can’t tire of seeing them!
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Geat sees of photos. Lovely huge animals. Thanks. D. 🙂
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And they are enormous! When you have the chance to be up close to one, that really becomes apparent. Thanks, H.J.
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These captures were beautiful!
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Thank you very much, Donna!
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What awesome creatures these are!! I love the babies!!
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Giraffes really are very special!
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Thank you for sharing them with all these amazing photos!!
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Sjoe wat ‘n belewenis moes dit gewees het om die geveg te sien. Dis erg om te dink hoe seer en met geweld daardie houe is. Ek hou van die foto met die agterkante na die die kamera.
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Dit is altyd iets wat mens verstom laat om dit te sien!
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Glo jou goed. Het nog net op TV gesien maar om dit regtig te sien klink of lyk nogal angswekkend want hul veg tot een ingee.
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Gewoonlik gee een van hulle vinnig bes – in beide hierdie gevalle was nie een lus om vinnig die handdoek in te gooi nie.
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