Don't mess with this serval!

October 1, 2012, 9:00 AMBy: |90 Comments | Tags: Kruger Park, serval
ServalPhotographs by Ilse van den Berg

When Ilse van den Berg showed us her photographs of a serval chasing a spotted genet we couldn't believe her luck! 

The serval and genet were spotted during the early morning near to the main tar road on the way from Olifants towards Letaba in the Kruger National Park. Scroll down to find out how this scene unfolds...

 "It was early in the morning in the Kruger Park when I saw "something fluffy" in the top of a tree. We stopped and I had all the time to make these pictures - the sighting was all ours."

© Images by Ilse van den Berg. Ilse used a Nikon 300s with Nikon 70-300mm VRII lens to take these photographs.

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER: 

Ilse lives in the Netherlands and is an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) project manager. She loves to spend her holidays traveling and photographing, especially in South Africa because of its beautiful nature and wildlife. In her spare time Ilse plays saxophone in a band and has just started studying at the school of photography.

 

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Comments
 
Harriet says:Wow - what an amazing sighting! The serval has still eluded us.....so nice to know they're around.
Posted on: October 3, 2012, 9:50 AM
 
Colin Hancox says:Nice going Ilse, great shots, crisp and clear. Great to see something other than the big 5,
Posted on: October 4, 2012, 7:53 AM
 
Brendan Hart says:Brilliant! I've only seen them at night, and only twice in my life.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:18 PM
 
Dave says:Awesome shots, but where's the genet?
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:19 PM
 
Alan Smith says:Great action photography Ilse, we were in KNP earlier this year and had 2 early morning seperate sightings of Serval .Also a Warthog chasing after a Leopard . Alan & Carolyn Smith Cornwall .UK .
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:25 PM
 
Magda Landman says:ABSOLUTE AMAZING IF YOU ARE LUKKY YOU ARE!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:25 PM
 
Cedric says:Beautiful! Well done Ilse and thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:43 PM
 
Christopher van Zyl says:Fantastic Series - well done! I love the one with the eye contact from between the leaves!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:49 PM
 
Andrew Philip says:Great pictures! Hey Dave the Servals in the tree the Genet is jumping out!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:50 PM
 
Annie says:Fantastic photos, hope you visit us more often to enjoy our beautiful countryside and good luck with more extraodinary photos.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:53 PM
 
Your Name Here says:Hi ,Ilse you are so honhoured with this siting as these two cats are very seldom seen in the day. Wow i do enview you. Once in a life time !
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:57 PM
 
Jurgens Willson says:Great work.Most South Africans have never even seen a Serval
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:58 PM
 
Your Name Here says:Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful photo's and the experience with us! Beautiful, and exquisite!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 12:59 PM
 
daphne du Toit. says:Well done, Ilse!!! and thank you for sharing this unique experience! I play the tenor/alto horn, but please, how do you manage to practise your instrument in the wild places?
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:19 PM
 
Clint says:WOW!! This is once in a lifetime!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:28 PM
 
Carol says:It looks like a leap of faith by the genet... Magnificent sighting and excellent photography Ilse!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:28 PM
 
Lynne H says:So happy the genet got away !! We have a friendly fellow visit us in the evening at our home in Gillitts Kwazulu natal. The smaller cat family are really pretty & I have never seen a serval in KNP yet. Thanks for sharing the sequence.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:29 PM
 
Margaret Booth says:Ilse must have thought Christmas had arrived. You cannot beat being in the right place at the right time. Lucky lady.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:32 PM
 
Mossie Botes says:Wow amazing pics...you're so lucky to experienced this! Thanks for sharing this beautifull animal with us, who has never been so fortunate to have seen this.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:39 PM
 
Dunkley says:Beautiful pictures , the colours are amazing.We were lucky to see a serval in broad daylight once in Hwange NP in Zimbabwe but never had time to shoot the picture .They are the most beautiful creatures.You were so lucky!!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:44 PM
 
Anni says:Awesome sighting and great photos - we saw a Serval on the side of the road just near Satara - it was my first time and have been going to the Park for 30 years - such a stunning experience.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 1:46 PM
 
Mike Behr says:Thank you so much for sharing your unique experience. I was a Game ranger for many years and saw these animals on several occasions but never in a drama like this. Well done! Incidently, I leave for the Netherlands on 8th November for anextended period.....our kids live in Graveland
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 2:01 PM
 
Jill Mortimer says:Absolutely super! What a lucky encounter. I was sitting at a kitchen counter in Witsands, Northern Cape, with a friend and we were talking and having supper. The double glass doors were open and suddenly she grabbed my arm and stared past me. There was a Spotted Genet - he calmly walked in, jumped on to the back of the chair in front of us and peered at what we were eating. We were dead still and he looked into our eyes, and deciding that vegetarian fare was not for him, he then calmly backed off, jumped down and casually walked off! What a thrill.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 2:02 PM
 
Louise Taback says:Wow!! How Awesome!!!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 2:05 PM
 
Sheldene Stuart says:Abso luuuutely incredible!!An amazing sighting of two beautuful, nocturnal cats. Amazing pics capturing the mood and activity of the cats purrfectly !
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 2:38 PM
 
Your Name Here says:Charmaine Wow !!! absolutely amazing, a once in a lifetime opportunity.Nature is awesome.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:02 PM
 
Sandi du Preez says:Wow - what a fantastic sighting . I have seen serval twice, both times in broad daylight. Once in Zambia and once in Mkhuze G. R. in KZN. I'll have a serval any time over the Big Five!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:19 PM
 
Chris says:A fantastic rare sighting and backed up by some great photographs !
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:23 PM
 
Johan says:Pragtig man, pragtig!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:32 PM
 
Vicky Haydn says:awesome!!! You were so lucky!!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:36 PM
 
Gill Maskell says:What a magnificent sighting. Very rare. Normally spotted genet are seen at night. Lovely well done for capturing it
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 3:47 PM
 
Nicolene says:Dis pragtig! wat n geluk om die pragtige diertjies te sien. Voorwaar n voorreg.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 4:00 PM
 
Bruce tait says:Wher is the genet???
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 4:15 PM
 
whitehead@worldonline.co.za says:have seen a pair of genets and serval inside the Punda Maria camp - we were sooo excited !! stayed in the safari tents last July we were sitting around chatting on our deck when we noticed the eyes and on close inspection found the source of the growling and hissing !! was very special to see them interacting
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 4:43 PM
 
Dorette van Heerden says:Wow - amazing sighting and stunning photographs!
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 5:13 PM
 
Denise from White River says:Ilse, what great photography !! Wonderful to see something different for a change - what a hi-light that must have been.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 5:33 PM
 
Bets says:Lovely sighting
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 7:12 PM
 
Ilse van den Berg says:Thank you all for your great responses! I was very lucky indeed! We really enjoyed our precious moment alone with the two cats. How wonderful! We are planning our holiday to South Africa for next year already :-)
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 7:13 PM
 
Sherryl says:How wonderful an opportunity this was. They are fantastic photos of a very rare siting. Thanks for sharing. Well done.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:08 PM
 
Your Name Here says:Fantastic Photos
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:10 PM
 
Loes & Bernd says:You were very privileged with this view. We have spent weeks in Kruger but no servals and genets only on night drives.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:19 PM
 
Di Anderson says:beautiful pictures Ilse, keep coming back. We have a gennet that visits us every night, a very beautifully marked animal.
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:41 PM
 
Tracy Randall says:stunning pics!! well done
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:51 PM
 
Your Name Here says:lovely pics . Thanks for sharing
Posted on: October 11, 2012, 8:56 PM
 
Trevor says:We have been fortunate enough to have had a spotted genet on the stoep of our bungalow at Setara or it might have been Letaba, my memory fails me as to the exact location now. However we were lucky enough to be able to observe him for about 15 mins while he raided our refuse bin, what a beautiful sight he was. However we, that is the family and I, have never seen a serval. Where is the best place to spot these magnificent small cats?
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 12:41 AM
 
Your Name Here says:These are truly amazing and what an experience - Gilian Fowler Johannesburg
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 7:12 AM
 
Elsje Massyn says:Beautiful photos - thanks for sharing!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 7:33 AM
 
Your Name Here says:Pragtige fotos
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 7:39 AM
 
Ian Johnson says:Amazing sighting / not many can say they have 2 rare species in same photograph , me included ! I have a tour business and spend many a day in the bush. Well done. Ian
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 7:50 AM
 
priscillakelly says:that was something to see!!!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 8:13 AM
 
Wilma Smit says:Awesome - I have never seen one in real life before in the Kruger. You were so lucky
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 8:24 AM
 
Pam Ingham says:shucks how fortunate and blessed to be able to witness this absolutely astounding and the photography is great! thanks for sharing this with us!!!!!!!!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 8:50 AM
 
Jürg Bretscher says:fantastisch und einmalig
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 10:25 AM
 
Liza W says:Lovely, Ilse! It is a blessing to see them this clearly. Your camera work is excellent too - well done!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 10:32 AM
 
Nikki Thomson says:So wonderful and soooo lucky. I had a beautiful Serval Male kitten which I bought up when I lived at Chizarira National Park. He was about the age of the one you photographed and I also used to have Genets coming down to feed at night but that was in Kyle National Park. Both Parks are in Zimbabwe.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 10:41 AM
 
Henry Buÿs says:This is brilliant shots. You don't always get the oppertunity to see them.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 11:13 AM
 
Hannes Londt says:Ek het jare gelede 'n tierboskat helder oordag in Malawi gesien. So ek dink nie dit is werklik 'n seldsaamheid nie. 'n Mens moet net in die veld kom en jou oë oophou.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 11:49 AM
 
martha says:Very nice! well done and you are so lucky to see this.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 1:29 PM
 
guus ratering says:hebt jy nou eventjes een groot geluk of niet...en dan daar bij komst ze van Nederland...lieven hemel!!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 2:04 PM
 
carol de gendt says:utterly amazing - you were so blessed to witness this.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 5:19 PM
 
John Wilson says:Fabulous pictures! Well done. We were lucky enough to see a serval on the same area of road earlier this year. It trotted towards us for a few seconds, then took-off into the bush. Beautiful creatures.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 5:24 PM
 
Kirsten. J. says:Als je het geluk hebt om dit te treffen, vergeet je het je hele lev en niet!
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 5:50 PM
 
michael chait says:An amazing sighting, lovely.
Posted on: October 12, 2012, 7:41 PM
 
ahmed bhayat says:Incredible sequence. What are the chances of seeing these two predators together?
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 9:29 AM
 
Your Name Here says:Hannelore @speedyit.co.za
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 12:56 PM
 
Your Name Here says:Hannlore, absolutely once in a lifetime pictures, wish Iwas there !
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 12:57 PM
 
WILLEMJAN says:THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE FANTASTIC , WHAT LUCK AND SUCH EXCEPTIONAL SHOTS .THE COLOURS ARE BEAUTIFUL TOO. SURE SHE WILL MAKE A NAME FOR HERSELF YET. BEST GREETINGS WILLEMJAN
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 2:35 PM
 
Ernie Jurgensen & Mo Arnold says:We are so jealous! Although we did have the privelege of seeing a serval on the Mativuhlungu Loop (S82) travelling South towards Crocodile Bridge, it was too fleeting a moment to take a photograph. There was however no mistaking its markings, long neck and large ears. A scrub hare darted out of the bush followed by the Serval they crossed the road in front of us, then disappear into thick bush.
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 8:54 PM
 
Barbara Muller says:Great photography..well done! We also saw a serval while camping in Punda. Sitting outside our tent having evening coffee, it slid past only a few metres from us, then turned and disappeared into the night..
Posted on: October 13, 2012, 8:55 PM
 
Talita Moe says:Incredibly beautiful photography. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 9:53 AM
 
Shirley Buckley says:Stunning shots Ilse.Lucky you,this is something not a lot of South Africans get to see no matter how hard we try.
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 12:59 PM
 
Piet says:Out of this world
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 1:05 PM
 
Chris en Rachelle says:Pragtige foto's en beslis nie 'n aldag gebeurtenis nie! Wat 'n voorreg!
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 6:35 PM
 
M. Simpson says:Awesome!
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 7:36 PM
 
Malcolm Bond UK says:Super siting and set of pictures. Been visiting the Kruger for 20 years and only seen a Serval on one occasion.
Posted on: October 14, 2012, 10:00 PM
 
Your Name Here says:very nice
Posted on: October 15, 2012, 5:27 PM
 
Linda McGregor says:Wow - What a Wonderful sighting! What lovely pictures, with the light just right.
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 8:51 AM
 
Kate Collins says:Absolutely beautiful. A serval is high up on my list of animals to spot. I hope I am as lucky some day!
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 9:53 AM
 
Your Name Here says:So lucky to have seen that. Right place-right time.
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 12:15 PM
 
Max says:"Cherry on top" wanneer jy so `n geleentheid kan ervaar Uitstekende fotografie vir almal om te waardeer. Dki.
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 1:04 PM
 
Lynn Meek says:What an amazing experience, how lucky can you be!
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 5:04 PM
 
cor de Geus says:Fantastic,love your pictures.
Posted on: October 16, 2012, 9:05 PM
 
Christine Doyle says:Outstanding thank you for sharing your wonderful sighting!
Posted on: October 25, 2012, 9:30 PM
 
Lynda Freese says:Wonderful images and have only been fortunate enought to see the serval at dusk and then very briefly. Still have not been lucky to see a civet, but there is always next time, need to keep something to look forward to as I try and visit Kruger at least twice a year and have just returned last Friday.
Posted on: October 26, 2012, 10:50 AM
 
Murray Louw says:Baie mooi!
Posted on: November 7, 2012, 5:03 AM
 
Anton says:Stunning pics. What a privilege to see. Well done.
Posted on: November 10, 2012, 9:03 AM
 
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