Hwata blind and photographic safaris

Hwata is one of the best photographic opportunities one can ever experience on safari. The blind/hide is at Hwata waterhole. There is a constant flow of wildlife coming and going, but usually more wildlife on hot days. Morning time to about midday is the best time to see plains game, ranging from impala, wildebeest zebra, eland, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and even sable antelope.

The advantage of being in the hide is the way it was constructed, in such a way that it is underground and eye-level with the waterhole. If you are not making noise, you will enjoy all the wildlife without the animals realizing your presence. On one good morning, I watched seven elephant bulls coming to drink and mud bath - they also splashed muddy water onto the guests in the blind, creating a memorable experience!

We have also watched white and black rhinos coming to drink. White rhinos will quite often do territorial marking by defecating on dung middens and urinating on the dung, then breaking the droppings using their hind feet to carry the scent for marking purposes. During a good session in the blind, it is very easy to record multiple rhinos. I have had the privilege of watching black rhinos coming to drink at the blind just before sunset.

Photography from the blind is more dependent on either morning soft light or evening soft light, which we call the golden hour, for the best pictures.

I have been lucky enough to see a peregrine falcon hit a dove that then fell into the water, and the falcon tried to retrieve it, though it was not easy. It ended up giving the guests a good photographic opportunity as the falcon kept coming back, trying to pick up the dove. Bird life is busy in the mornings and late afternoons. Every evening we get to watch guinea fowls, doves, and sandgrouse coming to drink.

Giraffes are one of the most interesting animals to watch drink, due to their long legs and necks - they have to splay their legs so as to reach the water and drink.

From the blind, you also get to watch animal behaviour as there is dominance and hierarchy from the larger animals to the smaller ones. Some animals like impalas and warthogs have to constantly check the surroundings, making sure that the coast is clear before coming for a drink due to the possible presence of predators.

Hwata blind is always a spectacle comparable to being in a movie house where you are waiting for the movie to start, but you are guaranteed of no disappointments! One moment it is quiet and the next moment is like a rush hour at a busy pub in a busy street. Big buffalo herds ±400 do regularly visit, and from inside the blind it is an amazing spectacle. It takes a long time for them to quench their thirst and some buffalo have to wait for others to finish drinking before they can have their turn. Usually, you can hear the noise and see the dust before seeing a single buffalo when they are coming from a long way.

I have observed a lioness trying to kill a white rhino calf - the calf ran in front of the mother, and she made an alarm call. The rhinos that were drinking all came to her rescue, and the lioness was chased off.

In my opinion Singita Pamushana is the best place for photographic safaris from the boat, walking safaris, game drives, and from the blind.