Through the Lens: Wildlife Photographer Jen Hadley at Motswari

Emerald season encounters in the Timbavati

The month of March marks one of the most magical times in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, when the landscape transforms into a vibrant emerald canvas after the summer rains. It was during this lush and lively season that wildlife photographer Jen Hadley joined us at Motswari Private Game Reserve, capturing the spirit of the bush through her lens.

For photographers, the Timbavati offers an extraordinary stage. The interplay of light, wildlife, and wilderness creates endless storytelling opportunities, and from her very first drive, Jen experienced just how quickly the bush can reveal its secrets.

A Leopard’s Welcome

Not long after arriving, Jen encountered one of Africa’s most iconic predators: a magnificent male leopard resting in the branches of a tree. Bathed in warm afternoon light, the big cat seemed perfectly at ease, offering the kind of photographic moment that wildlife photographers dream of.

Encounters like these are never guaranteed, yet the Timbavati’s thriving predator populations and vast open landscapes often reward patience and keen observation.

Keeping up with Painted Wolves

While leopards embody stealth and stillness, African wild dogs bring pure energy to the bush. During her stay, Jen witnessed a pack moving swiftly through the grass, their distinctive painted coats flashing through the greenery.

Few sightings match the adrenaline of encountering wild dogs in motion. For photographers, they offer both challenge and excitement; unpredictable, fast, and full of character.

A Global Icon, a Local Mission 

A white rhino steps quietly through the emerald season, its heavy frame softened by lush green light. Dappled shadows play across its ancient skin as it lowers its head, calm and unhurried.

Birds rest along its back, the smallest beside the immense, a reminder of balance. In a season of abundance, this is a moment of quiet reverence.

Here at Motswari we are actively involved in the protection of rhinos through our charity pillar, Rhino Disharmony, harnessing the power of art to be a force for good. Mediums include painting, sculpture, fashion, music and of course photography.

Observation, and the Spirit of the Wild

At Motswari, safari experiences are about more than sightings alone. They are about slowing down, observing deeply, and connecting with the natural world.

Through the lens, the Timbavati becomes more than a destination; it becomes a living story of wilderness, and the enduring wonder of Africa’s wildlife.

For photographers and nature lovers alike, moments like these are why the wild keeps calling us back.