I’m not long back from a scouting trip wildlife filming South Africa. Something very different to our usual filming locations underwater. This project is definitely land based! An exciting and very different adventure for us. A scouting trip to South Africa’s game reserves in connection with a new film project.

South African Game Reserves

I’d visited South Africa before, but that trip had been for underwater filming. So I’d never visited the game reserves. But even though I knew their reputation, I was blown away with the incredible diversity and volume of wild creatures.

Warthogs

It’s hard to choose a favourite creature. But there’s something about warthogs that I love…

Big cats

Wasn’t lucky enough to see lions – so definitely got to head back for that experience. but a few good leopard sightings.

Animals with attitude!

As well as the usual favourites, some of the less popular creatures also grabbed my attention.

Fantastic bird life

There was so much to see that I rarely managed to find time for filming birds. That was a big mistake – again something for the return visit!

Storks perching

One of my favourite shots, silhouetted against the African sky.

S

Wild dogs

While on the very last morning, just after dawn as I was leaving the park, I met this pack strutting as if they owned the whole Kruger!

Most incredible encounter?

Out of all my wildlife filming South Africa so far? It has to be an early morning at a waterhole. Ten sleeping rhino, all horns intact. Three hippos in the water right alongside them. And a herd of elephant on the far side of the waterhole. WOW!!!

From big creatures to small…

Who can’t love the humble dung beetle?

And the elephants

Just so many incredible elephant encounters.

I’ve travelled to many places, but this South African wildlife filming experience ranks among the best.