Joe Misika Photography

08/07/2026

Storm on the horizon

Dark storm clouds were building on the horizon, promising an afternoon thunderstorm. All of a sudden, I noticed this giraffe standing quietly in the beautiful afternoon golden light. Against the dark storm clouds, it seemed to glow. For just a few fleeting seconds, it stood still, giving us the chance to capture a moment that was gone almost as quickly as it appeared.

30/06/2026

Trees provide an elevated vantage point for leopards to scan the territory for danger and potential meals, and occasionally to launch an ambush from above. I have seen a leopard kill an Impala by jumping on it from a Mashatu tree.

Are you for color or black & white?

28/06/2026

One of the best things you can do while out in the bush is simply stop and watch animals without expecting anything dramatic to happen. Some of the most fascinating discoveries come from observing their everyday behavior.

Recently, I spent time watching a group of giraffes with their calves. The mothers appeared to leave their young together under the watchful eye of a single adult giraffe, almost like a babysitter. While the adults headed off to browse for food and search for water, the calves spent their time running around, playing, and eventually lying down to rest once they were tired.

Then, later in the afternoon—around 3 or 4 p.m.—the mothers gradually returned and collected their calves one by one, much like parents picking up their children from daycare.

It was a remarkable reminder that wildlife has its own routines, social structures, and ways of caring for the next generation.

Have you ever witnessed animal behavior that completely surprised or fascinated you? I'd love to hear your story.

24/06/2026

2 hours waiting and nothing happening then all of a sudden, herds upon herds of elephants descend on the waterhole. You get to witness the magic of it all. It doesn't matter how many times you see it, always mind blowing like it's the first time.

23/06/2026

Happy World Giraffe Day!

World Giraffe Day is celebrated annually on June 21 to raise awareness about one of Africa’s most iconic animals—the giraffe.

Often referred to as the "CCTV cameras of the savanna," giraffes provide valuable clues to what is happening around them. Their height gives them an excellent vantage point, allowing them to spot potential danger long before many other animals can.

When searching for predators in the bush, one of the first things we watch is giraffe behavior. If a giraffe is staring intently in one direction for an unusually long time, it often signals that something has caught its attention—perhaps a lion, leopard, or other predator. More often than not, it's worth taking a closer look.

Have you ever used giraffes to help you find wildlife?

21/06/2026

Happy Father's Day!

This male lion is called Scar.

He rules central Mashatu, one of the most productive and sought-after territories in the reserve. But his reign has not come easily.

For years, Scar found himself surrounded by powerful rivals. Elvis held the north, the Tuli Male dominated the west, and the Majale Island Male controlled the east. Time and again, Scar found himself on the losing end of territorial disputes. In 2024, after a brutal encounter with the Tuli Male, he was left in such poor condition that I genuinely thought he would not survive.

But then something changed.

In 2025, Scar became a father.

Fatherhood seemed to give him a renewed sense of purpose, direction, and determination. The lion that once struggled to hold his ground began fighting with a different intensity.

Recently, three young males that had once been part of his pride in 2023/24 returned as challengers. Scar wasted no time in showing them who was still in charge, chasing them out of his territory and making it clear that he was prepared to defend what was his.

On 28 May, near the Khanda Corner area, I watched Scar in a tense standoff with the Majale Island Male. Once again, Scar stood his ground, eventually driving his rival away and reminding everyone that he would do whatever it takes to protect his territory and his cubs, who will soon celebrate their first birthday.

Happy Father's Day, Gentlemen.

I hope fatherhood has given you the same sense of purpose, strength, and determination that it appears to have given Scar—a reminder to keep striving, not only for yourselves, but for your cubs as well.

20/06/2026

22/03/2026

Meet Motswiri, affectionately known as MmaCulvert — a name with a tale behind it. Her son earned the nickname "Culvert" after she cleverly denned him beneath a culvert near the reserve's bridges. A seasoned and devoted mother, Motswiri has raised generation after generation at Mashatu. And it seems she's at it again! We're almost certain she has new cubs hidden somewhere — her maternal instincts are sharp as ever, keeping her denning spot completely out of sight. The only giveaway? She's lactating.

09/03/2026

As the sun sets over Mashatu Game Reserve, a cheetah mother carefully leads her five cubs to safety. Cheetahs are among the most endangered big cats, so every sighting in Mashatu is truly special. Raising cubs alone is no easy task — the mother must hunt, protect, and guide them through the dangers of the wild, providing both food and safety as they grow.

28/02/2026

Dark clouds, beautiful afternoon light — and suddenly even a simple impala becomes extraordinary.

This is Mashatu in the green season. A yellow carpet of devil’s thorn stretches across the landscape, but every now and then nature pauses… and gives you a moment like this.

Storm behind. Light in front.
Who says ordinary isn’t powerful?