These giraffes are the Thornicroft species. After Harry Thornicroft realised that they were endemic to South Luangwa he extended the national park to cover more of their territory.

These giraffes were play fighting, or ‘necking’.

A leopard cub up a tree, where it’s safe. Previous to my stay, the mother’s other cub was killed by hyenas.

A leopard with an impala. It used the empty river bed to stalk its prey.

“zebra crossing”

Notice the small hole in the elephant’s right ear? Our guide presumed it was a bullet hole. Due to poaching, elephants with one tusk have become one of the dominant gene pools because they are hunted less.

Hippos and elephants are the only two animals other than humans which can change the landscape they inhabit. This sturdy hippo has survived attacks by lions.

The view from my tent at camp Tena Tena. Elephants would roam around at night, but they were quiet, unlike the hippos.

Lions sleep a lot.

Spot the baby baboon

A female Kudu, the males have amazing spiralling antlers, but they’re very shy and hide amongst the bushes and hard to photograph!

A female bushbuck-cuter than Bambi.

It’s known that crocodiles in South Luangwa have gone a whole year with just one meal. Their metabolism is slow and efficient.

I really loved the dancing impalas. They’re so graceful when they jump.

There were hyena cubs very close to on of the camps I was staying at and they were fearless, not afraid at all of the jeep.

As well as the big five- elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard – Zambians also refer to the ugly five. The warthog is number one but Hakuna Matata, he doesn’t care!