“Rhino!” That was the shout that electrified everyone in our truck. In six trips to the Serengeti, I had yet to see that most iconic, and most endangered, animal there. Although we weren’t close, it was a magical moment. And that’s what I tell everyone about these workshops to Africa – each is unique, with amazing animal encounters. I’ve just returned from the latest trip, and here are some of my favorite moments. If you’d like to join me on one of these adventures, send an email to reed@reedhoffmann.com.
Thankfully a passing rain shower had rid us of the heat waves that otherwise would have ruined this photo. While I did get some photos with the second rhino (behind the bush) in them, this was my favorite because of the trees. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 900, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV -0.3, Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6 lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
Cape Buffalo are unpredictable and dangerous, so our driver was worried about being this close. The bird, of course, makes the picture, and is one of many that help the large animals by eating the bugs and ticks off of them. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 2500, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV -0.7, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 420mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
We always visit a Maasai village (or “boma”) on these trips, and it’s a fascinating look into a very different culture. This is during the welcoming song and dance. Nikon D750, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 200, 1/1250 at f/8, EV -0.7, Nikkor 24-120mm lens at 32mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
Over one-million Wildebeest take part in the migration, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find some of them at one of the few watering holes. As much as they need the water, they don’t spend much time there because that’s a good place for predators to attack. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 360, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV +0.3, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
I find the zebras mesmerizing – did you know that no two of them share the same pattern of stripes? Occasionally they fight, which adds a bit of excitement. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 640, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV 0.0, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 390mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
The Hippo Pool in the Serengeti is one of my favorite places, for the sounds and smells alone! And if you put a hundred hippos into a small body of water, you’re sure to see some tempers flare. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 720, 1/2000 at f/5.6, EV 0.0, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 380mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
Among all the birds we see, perhaps the most popular is the Lilac-breasted Roller. If you’re lucky, you’ll find one on a tree near the road. And if you’re particularly lucky, you’ll get it taking flight, showing off its plumage. D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 200, 1/3200 at f/5.6, EV -0.3, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
We see lots of lions, but not often in trees where they sometimes go to cool off and get away from the bugs. This trip we actually saw several up high, and to me, this pregnant lioness was the picture of leisure. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 2800, 1/1000 at f/11, EV +0.7, Nikkor 200-500mm lens with TC-14E II teleconverter at 650mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
After a quiet morning with little worth stopping to photograph, we came upon this group of giraffes under a dramatic sky. They were the beginning of a great afternoon. Nikon D750, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 200, 1/1000 at f/7.1, EV +0.7, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 40mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
I love how social and protective the elephants are, and we saw a great example of that one afternoon. Our trucks rolled up on a small group with a tiny baby, and the adults converged around it like circling the wagons. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 2000, 1/1250 at f/5.6, EV 0.0, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
We were lucky enough to see a number of courtship displays among lions and leopards and even these jackals. Yes, that’s a courtship display. I know people who court like that too! Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 450, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV 0.0, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
We found a couple of leopards in trees, but none as pretty as this one. You’ve got to work quickly, though. Within a couple of minutes of stopping, it hopped down and walked off into the bush. Nikon D500, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 2000, 1/1600 at f/5.6, EV -0.3, Nikkor 200-500mm lens at 500mm, Picture Control set to STANDARD. Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
To maximize our time in the Serengeti, we fly back, which lets us spend the morning on one last game drive. This time, on the flight back, our pilot gave us a great view of Ngorongoro Crater, which we’d visited earlier in the week. Nikon D750, Aperture Priority, white balance of SUNNY, ISO 400, 1/800 at f/5, EV +0.3, 24-120mm Nikkor lens at 24mm, Picture Control set to VIVID.
Photo copyright Reed Hoffmann.
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