Mischievous Meerkats Caught on Camera: How They Helped Me Capture an Award-Winning Shot

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) stands as a pioneering testament to regional cooperation and ecological preservation in Africa, being the continent’s first officially recognized Transfrontier Park.

Rooted in a verbal agreement from 1948, the park exists as a seamless extension of two national parks – the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana – creating an expansive ecosystem that spans an impressive area.

This remarkable area is characterized by its minimal human interference, making it an increasingly rare sanctuary for diverse wildlife.

Arid-land species and true desert wildlife thrive in this environment. Gemsbok (oryx), ground squirrels, bat-eared foxes, brown hyaenas, and the impressive black-maned lions all roam these territories, each contributing to the rich tapestry of biodiversity that defines this unique ecosystem.

But in the Kgalagadi, it is the abundance of smaller mammals that really adds character to this dry land, and perhaps none capture hearts quite like the inquisitive meerkat.

These charming creatures not only add an element of playfulness to the landscape but also demonstrate survival strategies in this harsh environment.

A moment with meerkats

During my stay at the Mata Mata rest camp, I was captivated by the lively meerkats darting across the campsite. I didn’t see many, just the occasional one darting between campsites.

If I’m honest, I wasn’t even sure there was more than one, as it seemed to be the same individual that I caught glimpses of time after time.

My intrigue deepened when I discovered a burrow that resembled those of meerkats, and the diggings seemed fresh, leading me to wonder if these fascinating creatures were indeed making use of it.

Determined to uncover the truth, I embarked on a stakeout. After returning from a game drive, I decided to watch the burrow closely. My excitement grew when the adult meerkat I had seen earlier ventured toward the burrow and darted inside.

I noted, however, that it hadn’t emerged from the specific entrance I had been watching – it had come from somewhere else. This only fueled my determination and curiosity; clearly, there must have been another hidden entry point, and maybe even more than one meerkat.

But the big takeaway for me was that this burrow was indeed being used!

Setting up a camera trap

Inspired by this encounter, I devised a plan to conceal my camera near the burrow with its widest lens set up (in this case, a 16mm), hoping to capture an authentic moment of a meerkat emerging into its vast arid surroundings.

I hid the camera with some rocks and nearby vegetation, making sure the lens was not obstructed by the rocks and foliage. Then, using a remote Wi-Fi trigger, I was able to hide myself about thirty meters away, far enough to not be intimidating but close enough to see what was going on.

My remote device allows me to get a live view on my phone, so I decided to activate this as a backup. However, the most important thing was that I had a clear line of sight to the setup and the burrow.

This setup promised not just beautiful photographs but also an intimate glimpse into the natural behavior of these inquisitive creatures.

As I watched, nearby ground squirrels seemed as curious as I was, and I spent some time capturing their inquisitive stares. Comical and beautiful to photograph, they held my attention for quite a while, and I began focusing more on them than on the burrow I was supposedly staking out.

Just then, to my magnificent surprise, out of the corner of my eye, I saw not only the adult emerging from the entrance I had identified, but also three wide-eyed youngsters.

Uttering their little groans and croaks, they were diminutive versions of the adults. How utterly amazing!

One of the youngsters was clearly smaller than the other two, and I assumed it to be the runt of the litter and, of course, the cutest one. This was much more than I had hoped for, and excitedly, I got behind my photographic equipment, hoping to capture some amazing images.

An award-winning moment

So how did I capture my award-winning image? The answer lies in a blend of patience, creativity, and a bit of luck.

My hidden contraption, meant to discreetly document the playful antics of the meerkats, turned out to be less concealed than I anticipated. In no time, the curious youngsters discovered my setup and began scratching at the lens, perhaps intrigued by their own reflections.

Initially, my instinct urged me to shoo them away to protect my equipment, but then the photographer within me seized a golden opportunity.

With my phone as a remote trigger and the silent shutter feature in play, I was able to snap countless photos without startling them.

Even when my camera was eventually toppled over by their playful antics, it became clear that this delightful chaos had led to some extraordinary images that captured the essence of meerkat life, a testament to embracing unexpected situations in pursuit of art.

As I observed the young meerkats just a few meters away, it became abundantly clear that they were utterly unconcerned by my presence. With my second body mounted on a 500mm lens, I seized the opportunity to document their playful antics and charming interactions in vivid detail.

The heart-warming images I captured revealed a world of innocence and curiosity, showcasing how these youngsters mirrored their parents’ behaviors while engaging in their natural instincts.

Watching them scurry about – feeding, playing, fighting, and resting – painted a picture of their vibrant social structure and community life. Each photograph told a story of joy and exploration that highlighted the beauty of nature’s design.

In those moments, it struck me that they were simply being meerkats, effortlessly embodying the essence of wildlife in its purest form, and I was fortunate enough to witness it all through my lens.

In conclusion

Later, as I flipped through my images on the back of my camera, I was reminded that the most vivid memories don’t always lie in grand sightings or majestic creatures but in the seemingly insignificant moments that resonate deeply within us.

Those small details – a fleeting glimpse of a vibrant butterfly, watching young meerkats at play, or even the subtle sounds of nature – can evoke powerful memories long after we’ve returned home.