When one goes on a game drive it is almost a given that something will happen along the drive to inspire wonder and rekindle a love for nature.
This clip by photographer Jan Bergh is a compilation of some of nature’s most beautiful moments.
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Baby jackals play and feed around kill
It’s always a treat to witness baby animals in the wild. They are smaller, cuter and a little clumsier, perhaps wobblier than their adult counterparts.
However, their playfulness and visible zeal for life makes them special candidates for signficant sightings.
Here, a group of jackal pups scavenge around a kill. Young jackals are known as pups. The pups often fall prey to eagles and to other predators. To keep the pups safe, the mother jackal will relocate them to a new den every two weeks.
Lions form formidable roadblock
A pride of lions formed a roadblock ahead of motorists, showing off their beauty and majesty as a collective unit.
No-one could pass through the wall of lions, and they didn’t seem in too much of a hurry to move.
No-one could pass through except this male lion. He walked out in full view of spectators, commanding attention and respect. There’s nothing like the steady, confident gaze of a lion to put one in one’s place.
Battle of the crocs
Crocodiles often take refuge within the shimmering shadows of the water, so when one leaves the covering of the water to show off its kill – in this case, an impala – it is definitely worth taking note of.
This croc’s kill was the envy of the other crocs in the water, with two of them attempting to grab the prey from the crocodile’s mouth.
To escape their pursuit, he went beneath the waves with the impala and disappeared from sight.
Puff adders caught in a loving embrace
The puff adder is so named because it will puff up its body to appear larger than it really is.
Here, two puff adders exhibit the unique courtship ritual of the species. Females will emit a powerful pheromone to lure a mate. The male and female snakes will then engage in what is called a ‘combat dance’ where the snakes twist and grapple with each other.
The female will then decide whether or not to accept or reject the male.
Kori bustard catches puff adder
However ominous and large puff adders are, they are still vulnerable to certain birds and predators.
Here, a large bird called a kori bustard lifts up a puff adder in a stealth move, which causes spectators to gasp. One has to wonder what else is lying there in the long grass.
Elephants show dynamic nature by river
Elephants are always a favourite for game viewing. This is because they are highly intelligent and engage in intelligent interaction and meaningful play.
While some of these elephants drink, another lies down and plays in the dust, lifting its leg up as though doing a sequence of gym leg-ups.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
A morning’s game viewing can produce many exciting clippings, such as presented through this compilation. It’s all about seeing the wonder in the big and the small: from the snake that crawls on its belly, to the elephants at the riverbed – and then taking the time to wait to see what nature will present. There is definitely never a dull moment when it comes to the bushveld.