The Safari Expert Virtual Safaris | Episode 1 - A leopard in Manyeleti!

Join me on an afternoon and morning game drive in the magical Manyeleti Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger, South Africa.
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Gear I use to film and produce my videos:
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Canon R6 camera: amzn.to/3AXxx6P
Canon 100-500 RF lens: amzn.to/3pT9grZ
GoPro Hero 10: amzn.to/3RjaXdZ
iPhone 12Pro: amzn.to/3KvGKGs
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Watch my other Manyeleti videos here:
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What to expect from Manyeleti: • Manyeleti Game Reserve...
Pungwe Safari Camp review: • Pungwe Safari Camp in ...
Khoka Moya Camp review: • Honeyguide Tented Safa...
Tintswalo Safari Camp review: • Tintswalo Safari Lodge...
Previous virtual safari in Manyeleti: • Virtual Safari Highlig...
On the 24th of January 2022, at the height of the rainy season, I visited Manyeleti Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park to film the first episode in the brand new The Safari Expert Virtual Safaris series. If this video proves to be popular, I hope to do at least one virtual safari each and every month, perhaps even more...
In Episode 1 of The Safari Expert Virtual Safaris I stay at Main Camp in the Manyeleti Game Reserve and take you first on an afternoon game drive and then on a morning drive. You basically get to 'drive along with me' as I explore the reserve and show you all the birds and animals I see.
On the afternoon game drive of the virtual safari, I start at Manyeleti's Main Dam - a massive water source that attracts loads of general game like waterbuck, impala, zebras and wildebeest, along with plenty of water birds. Early on in the drive I find a relaxed herd of zebras as well as a young elephant bull feeding on the lush, tall grass.
The highlight of the virtual safari is a sighting of a large male leopard that nearly eluded me. I saw him walking up the road towards me, but then he disappears into the thickets beside it for a while...before popping out again to drink right next to me! This is what makes safaris so exciting - you never know what you're going to find next on game drive...
The morning drive wasn't quite as productive, but highlights include two spotted hyenas in the road and a large herd of relaxed giraffe socialising next to the Main Dam.
I also show you how I secure my Canon R6 and Canon 100-400mm II camera gear onto my door with a Badger Gear door bracket and a Benro Video Head, which helps me to capture nice, smooth footage for these virtual safaris.
If you enjoyed Episode 1 of The Safari Expert Virtual Safari, please LIKE this video, consider subscribing to the channel and leave a comment below. I'd love to know whether you'd like to see more of these virtual safaris or not.
Enjoy!
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[@Mudjie50]

Always a pleasure to see one of your videos. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheSafariExpert]

I’m glad you’re enjoying them 🙌🏻😎

[@GreaseAndGravel]

That leopard sighting!! Wow!!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Francois 😎🙏🏻

[@fionaclarke8122]

Keep it up great viewing amazing even when I am far far away .Thank you for your efforts with all your hard work .Thank you Fiona clarke

[@nicolerichards169]

Awesome video and great leopard sighting! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Nicole

[@lezigue1714]

Beautifull. I have espesially enjoyed the parts without music with only the bush sounds. Would be great to se more of these virtual safaris!

[@mars54mars54]

fantastic video, thanks so much! Stunning giraffe footage.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks mars54

[@jdm1078]

Incredible stuff Villiers!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks 🙏🏻😎

[@eleanorjames1118]

Stunning work. Love the way you are able to produce such a high quality drive without a camera operator. Your "to camera" narration is so natural and intimate, it really is like being on drive with you. (Brings back happy memories of the Big Cat safari I did with you a while back). Because of your other content on Manyeleti, I was planning to do a day trip there in Aug last year, while I was staying at Tamboti. Such a creature of habit, in the end, I didn't manage to tear myself away from all my old favourite routes. 😆 Kicking myself now!!! Manyeleti looks spectacular and the roads seem so quiet. So wonderful just to be able to sit and watch general game without half a dozen cars stopping to ask what you are looking at!😄

[@TheSafariExpert]

Aw, thanks for the kind words, Eleanor! You would LOVE Manyeleti 😁

[@kimberlylopez9402]

He is absolutely gorgeous. I think that was him too. Awesome sauce. Let us know and thank you.

[@TheSafariExpert]

It was definitely Wanga

[@bushbaby9716]

Luv it🐾

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Bushbaby

[@lindawebster5336]

Villiers I can so understand the excitement seeing the leopard. Just arrived home from a day trip into the Kruger and saw a magnificent leopard in a tree. Saw wild dogs and lion and of course loads of ellies. Could easily live in the bush. Sooo enjoy ur videos. God bless

[@TheSafariExpert]

Oh, wonderful, Linda 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩

[@lionfan9587]

Great drive! Can't wait for more of the series.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks lionfan

[@janeharwood989]

Love the Manyeleti! Great video, thank you.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Me too! Thanks Jane 🙏🏻

[@earline944]

Brilliant work Villiers! especially loved seeing a new leopard. ❤

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Earline. I’ve only ever seen him twice in all the years that I’ve been going to Manyeleti. He’s a ghost even at the best of times. The strangest thing about Wanga, is that he seems more relaxed around closed vehicles than open ones.

[@johnmarais7772]

Yet another fantastic video Villiers, thank you for sharing your amazing travels

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks John

[@NoelBester-un2ms]

Stunning...thank you

[@katydickson5547]

So enjoyed the afternoon drive and the morning drive that you went on and all the superb and fantastic animal and bird sightings thay you had. I especially loved seeing the Lilac-breasted Roller (one of my favourite birds). My other favourite bird is the Fish Eagle. It was almost like I was travelling along on safari with you. Looking forward to watching the rest in the series. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheSafariExpert]

That’s what I was hoping for, Katy 🙌🏻🤩

[@robertVan]

Thank you for this wonderful video. It’s making me want to come back for a real safari. Excellent photography!!!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Let’s hope you get to do so soon, Robert 🤞🏻

[@louisesampson6713]

Thank you for your virtual safaris - Giving mw my safari fix until I can travel again. On your advice I have now purchased a Nikon D500 ( second hand) and am learning how to use it so i am ready for my next wildlife safari.

[@chriswickarts]

Thank you!🙏❤️

[@brian_wanderlust]

Wish I could join on one of your Game drives. So amazing. I miss the bushveld so much , so far to visit from Cape Town. Love your videos 🥂😀

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Brian 🙏🏻😎

[@Fernando-xp5mg]

Great video as usual! Wonderful to see how lush and green is the bush at the moment. I'd love to see one of your Kruger's camps series on Punda Maria and the Pafuri area. Keep up the good work!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks Fernando. I’m definitely planning on going up there 🤗

[@andremeyer7491]

Once again great video and such a beautifull male leopard. The Manyaleti game reserve is a majestic place. What bird is in the background at 13:17? One of my favourite calls in the bush.

[@TheSafariExpert]

It's a black-crowned tchagra, Andre.

[@jackieboshoff2013]

Great video as always Villiers! It really looks stunning there. Do you reckon it'll be safe for 2 females to stay in the main camp for a night or two and do the self-drive? I noticed on the MTPA pricelist that I received from them earlier today that you can book game drives as well (if they still have that option available to guests)

[@TheSafariExpert]

Hi Jackie. It’s definitely safe 👍🏻 And yes, you can book drives with MTPA, but personally, I prefer to do my own… Don’t forget to download the FieldMaps App and Manyeleti Map.

[@jackieboshoff2013]

@The Safari Expert thanks for the feedback Villiers. That's cause you probably know Manyeleti like the back of your hand 😉

[@paulocavaleiro-krugersafar6884]

Awesome video thank you, love the Kruger and surrounding areas. If i may ask what 4k video editing software do you use. Thinking of getting a 4k video camera and was wondering what software to use. Thanks again for a great video.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Paulo, i hardly ever shoot in 4k simply because it makes editing so tough.

[@paulocavaleiro-krugersafar6884]

@@TheSafariExpert Thank you for the reply. So what camera can I use to filming to get that crystal clear images. I've got a HD Sony Handycam, I've caught some amazing footage with it and sometime wonder what it would be like to view it in 4K. Going to the Kruger in April ....need the break

[@TheSafariExpert]

@@paulocavaleiro-krugersafar6884 , you can get great footage in FHD, providing the light is good and the lens you use is good. 4K is better in low light, but generally speaking its main advantage is that you can zoom/crop in when you edit.

[@paulocavaleiro-krugersafar6884]

@@TheSafariExpert thanks bud really appreciate it

[@fanievanniekerk8825]

Heerlik dankie V!

[@TheSafariExpert]

Dankie Fanie!

[@TheJapaneseWhiskyReview]

Great stuff! What a hit seeing that leopard right as you were driving past. Timing is everything with sightings! What are the cooking and cooling facilities at Manyaleti Main Camp? I've jumped on the website but the pics don't really give you an idea. Honestly, didn't even know the placed existed.....Thanks : )

[@TheSafariExpert]

Each chalet has a microwave, tiny oven with stove plate and outside 'braai' grid, and there's a massive pool to cool down in, Brian.

[@matrishva]

Hi, Villier...always a treat and learning to watch your videos. May I know where can I get the "door grip" or whatever it is called which you are using to hold lens.

[@katemasonart1389]

Hi, We're about to book 2 days at Ndzhaka Tented Camp. What are your thoughts on this accommodation and is 2 days enough? (We'll have already travelled 4 days from the Northern most gate of Kruger).

[@TheSafariExpert]

I love Ndzhaka - it’s a lovely little camp and its location in Manyeleti is excellent for game viewing! If you ask me, two nights are not enough.

[@katemasonart1389]

Thanks. 3 nights booked, then off to Crocodile Bridge Lodge. @@TheSafariExpert

[@waynerossi4915]

Hi Villiers where can one buy the door mount set up you are using?

[@TheSafariExpert]

Hi Wayne. I bought mine at Outdoorphoto in Pretoria last year, but I see it's not available on their online store anymore. I'm busy trying to find out whether they even still make it.

[@TheSafariExpert]

Wayne, I chatted to Alroy Willis at Outdoorphoto in Pretoria and apparently they have discontinued that particular bracket. They do, however, still have one or two in the store, do give them a call if you want, and chat to Alroy. Tell him Villiers Steyn referred you :)

[@greenleader758]

Hi Villiers... keen to know what is gate opening and closing time? Cant seem to find anything online

[@TheSafariExpert]

The park entrance gate times are 6:00 to 18:00 from 1 Oct to 31 Mar and then 6:30 to 17:30 from 1 Apr to 30 Sept, but if you are staying in the Main Camp, you can leave for game drive as soon as it get light in the mornings and be back just before it gets dark.

[@greenleader758]

@@TheSafariExpert Thank you for the reply - we will be staying at Main Camp soon. Your video encouraged that!

[@TheSafariExpert]

@@greenleader758, I hope you have a magical time! The times I’ve stayed at Main Camp, the camp gate has been closed, but unmanned and unlocked in the mornings, so I simply left camp as soon as it started getting light.

[@greenleader758]

@@TheSafariExpert Thank you, I will definitely do so when I am there. Just take note that: As of 1 October there has been a significant price increase. Got a big surprise recently when I booked for December... emailed MTPA back and asked why it was so expensive and they just said there was a price increase. Camping in main camp - R225 per person per night (Used to be R100) Conservation fees - R75 per day (Used to be R55) I was also told that you are no longer able to pay for accommodation on arrival - everything must be prebooked. Will confirm when I am there in December.

[@TheSafariExpert]

@@greenleader758, thanks for the update 🙏🏻 Those old prices hadn’t changed for years, so I’m actually not surprised. It’s actually a good thing, if you ask me - more money to spend on maintaining the reserve. Now we just hope it gets spent on maintaining the reserve 🤞🏻😏😅

[@garyshuttleworth2359]

Hello Villiers.Another quality video Further to our previous comms,we are staying at Marriott Kruger gate,as opposed to Malelane.Arriving 12/4 for 5 nights.If you are anywhere near Skukuza,be great meet up, 🕍🕍🕍🕍🕍 are on me👍👍👍

[@TheSafariExpert]

Thanks for the invite, Gary.

[@garyshuttleworth2359]

And it is a genuine invite👍🦁🐆🐘🦬🐘