Week in Pictures: Born to be Wild

This time, the Week in Pictures falls on World Elephant Day, a day dedicated to the celebration of the world’s largest land mammal. In the wild places that house our safari camps, elephants roam free, and are so at home that they take it upon themselves to come right onto the camp grounds, help themselves to the pool water, and feast on the marula trees. Among our selection of photography specials this week are numerous ‘elephant favourites’, from pink-eared babies, to the old and wise.

We’ve seen sunsets that took our breath away, lions that captured our hearts, buffalo that stopped us in our tracks, and birds that turned heads. If there is one common thread that binds all our sightings this week, it’s that every living thing out there was born to be wild. We join hands with our partners in conservation and honour elephants all over the world, which were – every single one – born to be wild. In the spirit of World Elephant Day today, enjoy our latest array of the Week in Pictures!

Umkumbe Safari Lodge, Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Greater Kruger

Two elephants amble across the plains in the iconic Sabi Sand. Today on World Elephant Day, we are even more appreciative of sightings such as this. Wild and free, as nature intended.

That golden glow! The afternoon light creates an irresistible outline to a kudu cow craning her neck to reach the upper branches

A Mhangeni lioness looks focused as she relaxes in the dry grass after she and her pride were spotted by some zebra. Cover blown!

Spectacular shot of a spotted hyena crouching to drink while a pair of African buffalo dip their heads on the opposite side of the pan.

nThambo Tree Camp, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

One of Africa's treasured elephants beneath a blazing sky at the end of another African day

An African wild dog mother leaves her growing pups at the den as she heads out with her pack to hunt

A red-crested korhaan catches the light in a rare moment of stillness shared with this camouflaged ground fowl

A buffalo cow reaches for a tuft of green grass - a tasty morsel in times of drought

Africa on Foot, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

A Ross Breakaway lioness rests her head under a sparsely leafed tree

A lilac-breasted roller stands out in a celebration of colour against the stark winter bush

A young elephant 'salutes the sun' in an adorable pose, as she picks up our scent in the air

A lone wildebeest bows to us as we admire him in the sunlight

Ezulwini Game Lodges, Balule Nature Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

A speedy road crossing taking place in front of our game viewer, as this pink-eared ellie dashes across the opening to find the shelter of its mother

A Verreaux's eagle owl remains camouflaged while catching some shut-eye and revealing its dramatic, pink eyelids

A perfect reflection of a sun-whitened rock, which is the perfect sun lounger for an Olifants River crocodile

A waterbuck babe reciprocates our interest and pauses to watch us, watching him

Wildside Africa: Tuskers Bush Camp and Xobega Island Camp, Botswana

An elephant at sunset, seen from the comfortable cradle of a boat, while out on a sunset safari cruise with Xobega Island Camp

Touring the Okavango Delta lagoons on a mokoro, bringing you unnervingly close to the waters ruled by hippo. With expert guidance and professional polling, this experience becomes one of those most magical you'll ever have in this unique wetland paradise

A lava-like sunset over the Tuskers private concession, bringing another day in the wild to a dramatic end

A vulture hangs out in the moody skies with a wide selection of abandoned branches to perch on