There is very rarely such a thing as the perfect time for a safari – I believe you make the most of what you get. In the Kalahari it was really hot, but by getting out early and staying out late, I managed to have a great few days with my guests. We explored the vast Tswalu terrain, seeing big-horned big game and hungry lions as well as a myriad of other creatures. One of the highlights was working with tracker Siphiwe Mandleni. He not only has the eyes of a hawk and finds Pangolin tracks with ease, he has a superb ethic to the whole safari. I can safely say that this is down to his foundations which were laid in his time at the Tracker Academy. The holistic approach taken there has produced some fine young men and instilled the right approach to take tracking into the next generation. What better place to see this in action than on game drive in the red sands of the southern Kalahari! (Alastair)

Another hot day comes to a close in the Kalahari as a White-backed Vulture sets in to roost for the night.

Siphiwe Mandleni & Alastair taking a selfie!

A tired young lion after missing a warthog during the hunt.

This is one of the fun parts of the night at Tswalu – finding scorpions with a UV light!

Photographing a Rufous-cheeked Nightjar on the red sand track – always a good photographic challenge to get the light right.

Africa’s smallest raptor – this male was not distracted by the butterfly like I was.

Refreshing is an understatement at this point in summer!

A female Kudu peers at me from the ridge above the lodge – Korannaberg.