Return to Zimanga

Each season, 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.

In my travels through 50+ countries across all seven continents, the call to return to certain places echoes louder than others. Zimanga Private Game Reserve in South Africa is one such place that captivates like no other. After my initial visit last summer, the images I shared with Bluedot Living offered a glimpse into the extraordinary beauty and richness of wildlife encounters Zimanga offers. I returned this June, immersing myself in another seven days of awe-inspiring game drives, day hides, and overnight hides. I captured a fresh collection of images and videos that delve deeper into the fascinating behaviors of the reserve's wildlife. Join me on this photographic journey back to Zimanga, where each image tells a story of nature's spirited beauty and the vibrant life it sustains.

Sisters on Morning Patrol
During an early morning game drive, we encountered these lioness sisters. They walked with synchronized grace down the road directly toward our stationary vehicle. Lions have a unique walk, called “digitigrade locomotion.” They walk on their toes with their heels raised off the ground, allowing them to walk quietly, thus helping them sneak up on prey. In this image, I’m drawn to their coordinated movements and intense gazes, which perhaps speaks to the deep bond they share.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 238mm; 1/320 sec; f/5; ISO 2,500

Unexpected Visitor
A few days later, while nestled inside a bird hide at sunset hoping to photograph songbirds, we were thunderstruck by the unexpected appearance of one of the lionesses. It marked a rare sighting at Zimanga, the first recorded visit of a lion drinking from this particular watering hole. This image captures the calm waters perfectly mirroring her poised elegance as she quenches her thirst.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 35mm; 1/100 sec; f/2.8; ISO 2,000

Moonlit Grandeur
Moments later, she walked off under the glow of moonlight. Her powerful stature, coupled with the tranquil, twilight-lit setting, created a peaceful yet poignant moment. I felt incredibly fortunate to have witnessed and photographed such a scene.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 35mm; 1/100 sec; f/2.8; ISO 2,000

Clash at Dawn
During a sunrise visit to a daytime hide, I captured images of a dynamic display of interspecies competition in the wild. Here, a jackal dashes beneath the formidable wings of White-backed Vultures. The scene unfolds with a burst of energy as the vultures descend, their wings spread wide, attempting to intimidate their nimble competitor.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 100mm; 1/1,600 sec; f/4.5; ISO 640

Daring Defiance
Not to be intimated, the daring jackal confronts the vultures, demonstrating its agility and the vultures' persistence. Photographing this encounter was as thrilling as the clash itself. A dramatic display of the jackal's determination pitted against the might of the vultures. The energy and tension of this wild confrontation were palpable.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 100mm; 1/1,000 sec; f/4.5; ISO 2,500

Thirsty Giant
Settled in for an afternoon of birdwatching, we were graced by the imposing presence of a massive bull elephant at this watering hole. Towering above the lush grasses, he dipped his trunk into the cool water, quenching his thirst in the late afternoon sun. I was reminded of the serendipity and breathtaking beauty of nature's surprises.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 70mm; 1/1,000 sec; f/2.8; ISO 100

Cheetahs’ Courtship Dance
Among my most memorable experiences was watching a dramatic courtship unfolding among three cheetahs — two males and one distinctly disinterested female. Despite the males' persistent efforts, their advances were met with hisses and swats rather than affection. For over an hour, the scene was a mixture of pursuit and rejection, with the female cheetah actively fighting off her suitors' attempts at mating. This intense interaction highlights the complexities of wildlife mating rituals, revealing the challenges males face when the female is not ready to concede.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 89mm; 1/1,250 sec; f/2.8; ISO 250

An interesting aspect of their courtship behaviors are the sounds made by the cheetahs during the mating ritual. Listen carefully to the pulsed sounds of the males’ chirps, pr-prs, and “shutter-barking” — a specific sound that triggers the female’s reproductive system to release eggs. For now, this female responds by hissing and swatting. Our guide estimated she would eventually relent, choose one of her male suitors, and mate within 24 hours.

Motherhood at Midnight
The overnight hides at Zimanga offer a unique window into the nocturnal life of wildlife. Over three nights spent in bunker-style hides by secluded watering holes, we witnessed a silent parade of African Buffalo. This image captures a mother buffalo standing guard over her newborn calf, their figures reflected against the still, dark waters. Her protective stance and watchful eyes underscore the deep, instinctual bond and constant vigilance that defines motherhood in the wild.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 35mm; 1/200 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6,400

Grass Adornment
In this image, an African Buffalo pauses for a drink, adorned unintentionally with strands of grass caught on his horn. The water mirrors his formidable figure, reflecting the intensity of nocturnal life in the wild.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 31mm; 1/160 sec; f/4; ISO 6,400

Reflection of Camaraderie
Here, two African Buffalos engage in a moment of mutual support. One buffalo uses the other's rugged head to scratch an itch, a simple yet intimate interaction that highlights the social bonds within the herd. The reflection in the water doubles this intimate scene, offering a glimpse into the nightly rituals that strengthen the ties between these powerful creatures.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 47mm; 1/250 sec; f/4; ISO 6,400

A Delicate Balance
Under the gentle glow of the setting sun and rising moon, this giraffe gracefully bends to drink from a watering hole. In this vulnerable stance, giraffes must drink quickly. Their unique anatomy makes maintaining this position risky and uncomfortable, as lowering their heads below their bodies for extended periods can disrupt blood flow due to their long necks and high blood pressure. This position also leaves them exposed to predators. In this image, the symmetry of the giraffe’s spread legs and mirrored reflection captures the precariousness of their drinking habits.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 15mm; 1/500 sec; f/2.8; ISO 800

Giraffes Necking
In the lush wilderness and early morning mist, two young male giraffes engage in a ritual known as “necking,” a practice where they test their strength and agility by swinging their necks in forceful blows against each other. This behavior is crucial for establishing dominance and mating rights within their groups.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 151mm; 1/1,000 sec; f/5; ISO 200

This video showcases the intense interaction as the two juvenile male giraffes practice “necking,” demonstrating their growth and development in the wild.

Giraffe Family Courtship
This family of giraffes provides a glimpse into the subtle complexities of their social interactions. The dominant male is engaged in a “flehmen response,” carefully sniffing the female to determine her readiness for mating. The young calves, likely her previous offspring, stand nearby, underscoring the continuous cycle of life. Though the male most likely is not the father of these calves, his interest in the female plays a crucial role in the dynamics of giraffe populations.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 100mm; 1/400 sec; f/7.1; ISO 100

Elegance in the Grass
On our final morning at Zimanga, a wild caracal who has chosen to stay near the lodge over the past many months graced us with her presence. This caracal has formed an unusual and remarkable bond with one of our guides, allowing her a certain ease around humans that provided an opportunity to capture some very special images. Known for their distinctive tufted ears and keen hunting skills, caracals embody the wild spirit and subtle beauty of Africa's lesser-known feline predators.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 200mm; 1/2,500 sec; f/2.8; ISO 1,600

Grace in Motion
In breathtaking displays of agility and power, the caracal would leap through the air, showcasing her incredible athletic prowess, while navigating the landscape with ease and elegance. This graceful beauty delivered a brilliant finale to my photographic week at Zimanga.
Equipment, settings: Canon EOS R5; 200mm; 1/2,500 sec; f/2.8; ISO 1,600

All photographs and videos copyright Yasmin Namini.