Mashatu and MalaMala. Picture possibilities abound, seducing wildlife shutterbugs seeking to satisfy the itch to click. Top of the food-chain subjects, sweeping backgrounds, a tangle of instaworthy trees, delicious and reliable light, not to mention a generous schedule stretching across two world-class game reserves renowned for quality big cat sightings… and then some. Say no more.

Seriously though; the hype is more than justified. We’re confident – never complacent of course – while watching our guests dangle above the Limpopo, caged safely in the cable car carrying them from South Africa to Botswana, that a genuine photographic feast awaits on the other side. First here on Mashatu Game Reserve – and later at MalaMala back across the river again in South Africa on the Sabi Sand reserve.

When you consider the galaxy of private reserves dotting the African continent it’s fair to say these two are known for being particularly stellar. Once upon a time both were owned by the same family, not so today. Yet both remain connected in being prime properties boasting top-notch core wildlife areas concentrated around rich riverine habitat – the Majale and Sand rivers respectively.

Photographers plying these beautiful, predator-heavy central areas with guides who know the terrain and resident wildlife, almost better than their own families, are assured of next-level sightings.

But what we couldn’t perhaps have predicted ahead of the trip was the way it would end up being as much about the superlative wildlife stories we were privileged to witness as it was the great individual shot-making.

A compelling, interconnected narrative about survival in the wild and the cycle of life is always present in the African bush, but this was something else. With the drama ramping up from day one it felt like we were being treated to the highlights reel of a cinematic double bill.

Those deep, gravelly voiceovers you get trailing a summer blockbuster. On this trip you could hear one running in your head every time you stopped to  soak up the slew of special sightings…

You want cubs? Will eight tiny lions do? You like those? That’s great because we can find you ten more – admittedly a little bit older, but still cute as anything and just as playful. A leopard cub? Oh yeah there’s one that’s regularly seen. He’s around four months old. An emerging star. You’ll meet him bouncing off the branches as he explores an ever-expanding world and plays tag with his mom. We’ll even throw in a bit of peril. There’s this big young adult male who’s just returned to the riverbed after an absence of several months who could be a big threat to the little guy should their paths cross. And where he’s currently headed that’s not impossible.

To keep you on the edge of your seats we also have a female leopard losing her kill to the hyenas as soon as you guys turn up at first light. Another leopard is lurking close by. They meet, clash and then there’s this furious tussle between them while the hyenas are squabbling over their surprise takeaway. That’s when our leopard lead actors hightail it across the river – which luckily is still flowing following the big summer rains. This means you’ll see them leaping from the rocks – not once, but twice.

You like this action thriller? Well let’s have another hyena scaring a leopard up a tree as she struggles with her very fresh impala kill. You’ll be right underneath the branch where she’s attempting to stash it, your pulses racing. For an extra frisson of excitement, add in a young bull elephant, upset by the presence of the hyena, repeatedly threatening to charge your vehicle. The soundtrack here is something else.

You enjoy leopards climbing up and down trees? No problem – here’s a couple more – one in the glorious technicolor of late afternoon and the other under spotlight just after dark. How about a female leopard dragging a very hefty, just-downed, impala ram in good morning light? Not often you see that in the open, for nice clean shots, but it’s here in the script. And then we have the very same leopard running full pelt across the open ground in broad daylight chasing a wailing jackal (check the soundtrack) from a standing start. You probably won’t have seen that one before, let alone photographed it, but it’s coming soon to your front-row seats in the game-viewer…  

We’re getting to like this. Any chance of a sequel?

…Okay buckle up, this one will really blow your minds. How about a pride of lions busy on an elephant carcass? For day and night photography. It’s so eerie seeing them feasting in the darkness. Although this one’s X-rated as there’s also mating… and horror. The climax is super scary in the dark!  Not your everyday safari fare.

There’s more. We can top the action at the elephant carcass now with a large giraffe that’s just been brought down by the lions. This one’s in the open too. The visuals are ten out of ten and there’s a huge cast – 19 lions in total. Look at them all tucking in.

What? That’s made you hungry for more. How about a hunt?  A full chase and take-down. We’ve saved the wild dogs for that one. You’ll have to wait for the end tho’ to see their big cameo role. They have thrilling ‘run-on’ parts. It’s here in the screenplay – a pack of six successfully hunting a bushbuck by the Sand river right in front of your lenses on your last morning…

There’s a great supporting cast too, featuring baboon antics in the riverbed, some striking birds and a solid night crew of owls. We’ve got a fabulous hippo by night, again not your everyday photo opp, elephants in the mist (this one’s a reworking of an old classic) plus on the final night a sunset to finish – who doesn’t love a cliché – featuring number one night-crawler – the spotted hyena. Cue the spooky music.

There’ll even be time for sundowners at the interval. Could you ask for more?

How about shooting stars?

Just had a word with the director. Sorted. There’ll be a couple of jaw-droppers – long-lasting, low in the sky and breathtaking in colour. Just in case wallowing in the Milky Way on your drive back to the lodge each evening doesn’t quite do it for you. But then… that’s all folks!

We couldn’t have scripted it better ourselves. – definitely worth considering a franchise.

Just time for the all-important final credits which we hope you’ll stick around for. Loud fanfares please for our brilliant guides Bashi and Goms, our super-spotters Abel and Albert on Mashatu and our rangers Dave and Deon at MalaMala for bringing us all that amazing, photogenic action.  Star performances on both reserves and great company too.

Thunderous applause as well to our gorgeous A-team of photographers including safari royalty Ms ST, ‘Mr Roller’ himself PS, our resident ‘I’m actually on holiday’ forecaster KC. Not forgetting hot wheels Harley D fan RC with IC our demanding queen of competitive shots keeping us on our toes. And finally, last but not least a huge apology to CS.  We’re sorry we couldn’t find you quite enough drongos on this one. Next time perhaps…