Beauty & Those Beasts

Every time our Africa trip planner, Dan Achber, returns from a research trip (which he did just a few days ago) I hound him for photos from his journey. Dan has a knack for taking the kind of in-your-face wildlife photos that remind me it’s not merely what you see when you’re on safari, but how you see it. More often than not his up-close portraits of lions and elephants virtually blow my hair back (and I keep a short mane). They’re beautiful and usually kind of terrifying. Can you really get so close to such commanding creatures? If you’re in the right place, with the right guide, yes, you can get frighteningly close. And with a bit of zooming, nearly near enough to apply a touch of mascara.

In striking counterpoint to the savage beasts Dan saw on his most recent trip to South Africa, he also laid eyes on some pretty sweet and serene lodges—Tswalu, Sabi Sabi, Singita Lebombo, Kirkmans Kamp. He’ll tell you more about those in the weeks to come. But for now, just sit back, relax, and prepare to get charged by a rhino.

Dan has been to South Africa dozens of times, but approaches each trip with the enthusiasm of a first visit. The only things he ever shoots are pictures and the breeze.