Zimanga Private Game Reserve

Each month, Bluedot Living will feature a photo essay by Yasmin Namini, a former Chief Consumer Officer at the New York Times, who is now traveling the world taking photographs. At Bluedot, we believe that celebrating the Earth’s most enchanting creatures, cultures, and landscapes will inspire us to help preserve them.

Fresh from a thrilling week at Zimanga Private Game Reserve in South Africa, I arrived home with a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Zululand, Zimanga serves as a haven for conservation and a playground for photographers, offering traditional game drives paired with access to world-class photographic hides. What makes Zimanga truly special are its hides, in particular its overnight large mammal hides, which offer unique opportunities to capture elusive animal behaviors.

Now I find myself caught in an amusing dilemma, unable to decide which images to share with you. Although the Internet's reach is broad, there isn’t infinite space, so here's a snapshot of my favorite moments.

A little fun fact before we dive in – ZIMANGA is an anagram of AMAZING, a perfect description for the utterly amazing time I had there!

Late Night Majesty
Among my standout experiences, this image easily clinches a spot in my top two of incredible wildlife encounters at Zimanga. During our 18-hour stay at Umgodi Overnight Hide, my two photographer friends and I patiently stared through the two-way glass mirror and waited for wildlife encounters. Very late that evening, we found ourselves captivated by the unexpected appearance of a majestic bull elephant at the watering hole. Drinking with slow, deliberate movements, his grandeur rendered us speechless. This magnificent creature graced us with his presence for a memorable five minutes – a brief yet timeless encounter that still takes my breath away.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/160 sec; f/2.8; ISO 3,200

Unlikely Embrace
Second on my list of incredible wildlife encounters at Zimanga is this unique moment. I was privileged to witness this rare interspecies interaction which left me in awe. It was a uniquely special and very rare moment that unfolded between an adult female zebra and a three-week-old baby giraffe, still with its umbilical cord attached. With an inexplicable maternal instinct, the zebra had been shadowing the giraffe since birth, their relationship marked by tender moments like this nose-to-nose embrace. Our seasoned guide admitted to having witnessed such extraordinary behavior just twice in his career, both times involving this unlikely pair – on this day and 3 weeks earlier between the same zebra and giraffe, when the giraffe was born. To have experienced this intimate interspecies bond, a poignant glimpse into nature’s remarkable ties, was truly breathtaking.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/800 sec; f/4; ISO 250

Cheetah Brothers
Time stood still in the company of these two remarkable cheetah brothers, habituated to humans in a way that's both astonishing and heartening. I had the privilege of sharing their world, walking along them, always maintaining a respectful distance. This was more than a photographer's dream come true – it was a chance to connect with these elegant creatures at eye level, capturing their beauty and grace. Cheetahs have forever been among my favorite wildlife. Their unique blend of elegance and power is simply unrivaled.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/100 sec; f/7.1; ISO 1,600

Water Break
Patience truly paid off when following this young male lion through the Zimangan bush. One key aspect of wildlife photography is simply to follow and observe without causing any disruption, waiting for that one special photographic moment. This handsome young fellow eventually meandered his way to a creek. As he paused to drink, I captured his perfect lapping tongue and yet unmarred face – simple, candid beauty in the wild.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/250 sec; f/4; ISO 800

Predator’s Pause
Spotted Hyenas, despite their reputation as notorious scavengers and one of Africa's top predators, have their vulnerable moments too. As fate would have it, one such individual ventured in front of Scavenger’s Hill Hide seeking breakfast, alongside two African Woolly-necked Storks. In an unexpected twist, this hyena seemed tentative. Alone, he constantly kept a wary eye on his surroundings, ever watchful for the sudden arrival of a lion, a cheetah, or any other formidable foe. In Africa, the tables can be unexpectedly turned at any moment, where the hunter may find itself the hunted.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/800 sec; f/2.8; ISO 1,250

Reflections and Rivalry
Egrets, with their stilt-like legs and radiant white feathers, always make for captivating subjects. When a flock of these graceful birds descended upon us at Lagoon Hide’s watering hole, I snapped away. Among the frames I captured, this image stood out. The contrast of relaxed egrets on the water's edge and their reflections, all fascinated by the lively duel above them. Very entertaining!
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 1/1,250 sec; f/5; ISO 6,400

Birds, Birds, and More Birds
As a birder, Zimanga's avian display is a wonder to behold. Whether spotted on game drives, viewed from strategically positioned bird hides, or encountered at the flora-rich lodge, I was awestruck by the stunning array of birds. This selection of 16 images provides a glimpse of the vibrant diversity of bird species I experienced at Lagoon Hide, Mkhombe Hide, the lodge, and on game drives. With their dazzling colors, lavish plumage, and graceful movement, birds truly enhance our natural world.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; multiple shutter speeds, f-stops, and ISO settings

All photographs copyright Yasmin Namini.