So, living up to our name, we’ve put together an African animal alphabet. No, we’re not lion – we really did. Take a look at our quick index to the outrageous and wonderful creatures which inhabit our continent. It’s a little sealy, but hopefully it’ll have you coming to visit them yourself.
Photo Credit: Gillian Maskell
The African Animal Alphabet:
Absurd, amusing and ant eating – the aardvark
Bustling through Botswana – the buffalo
Charming and camouflaged – the cheetah
Photo credit: Bryan Busovicki
Dipping and diving – the dolphin
Photo credit: K. Kulikov
Enchanting and enormous – the elephant
Fascinating, fabulous and funky – the flamingo
Goofy but glamorous – the giraffe and guinea-fowl
Photo credit: Little Ogava
Hilarious and hungry hyena, and heavy and (arguably) handsome hippopotamus
Immaculate and inspiring – the impala
Photo credit: Villiers Steyn
Jittery and judicious – the jackal
Killer Kingfisher with Keen eyes
Lavish and luxurious – the lion and leopard
Photo Credit: Mike Walsh
Mischievous and meddlesome – the meerkats
Naturally nimble – the nyala
Outrageous and oh-so-odd – the ostrich
Photo credit: Shannon Wild
Puzzling but very precious – the pangolin and penguin
Photo credit: Twalu Kalahari Reserve
Quirky and quaint- the quail (in this case, its’ cousins – the francolin and grouse)
Robust and rare – the rhino
Sneaky and secretive – the serval
Tranquil in turquoise- the turtle
Unbelievable and undiscovered – the unicorn (or in this case, something similar)
Vicious and valiant – the vulture
Wondrous whale and the whiney wild dog
Xenodochial Xenus squirrel
Yikes, a Yellow mongoose
Zesty and zippy – the zebra
And there we have it, the African Animal Alphabet.
Tell us about your favourite African animal in the comments below.
How did the giraffe get his long neck? And the porcupine her 30,000 black and white painted quills? Or the pangolin his scaly, unusual body? Africa is full of strange and quirky creatures, and for those of you with an imagination, there’s a weird and wonderful story for each of our beautifully-bizarre animals.
In the words of the man who wrote the Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, this is his story of how the elephant got his trunk (with slight modifications for an easier read):
Legend has it that the elephant never used to have a trunk. Instead he had a blackish, bulgy nose, as big as a boot, that he could wriggle about from side to side. He couldn’t pick up anything with his useless nose.
But one day, there was a new elephant. An elephant’s child was born. He was different in the way that he was full of insatiable curiosity.
Photo credit: Hailey Bowden
He wondered why the ostrich’s tail feathers were just so, and the giraffe, why he had spotty skin.
Next he asked the hippopotamus why her eyes were red. And so the elephant’s child continued to worry all the animals with countless questions.
He asked questions about everything that he saw, or heard, or felt, or smelt, or touched. The most frustrating unknown for this elephant child was the mysterious question: what does the crocodile have for dinner?
He finally stumbled across a Kolokolo bird who said with a mournful cry, “Go to the banks of the great grey-green greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees, and find out.”
Photo credit: Magnus Manske
And so the elephant’s child set off, taking with him a hundred pounds of bananas (the little short red kind), and a hundred pounds of sugar-cane (the long purple kind), and seven melons (the green-crackly kind). As he went, eating melons, he threw the rind about with his useless nose.
Finally he made it to the banks of the great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about the fever trees, precisely as Kolokolo bird had said.
Photo credit: Derek Keats
Bear in mind that till that very week, and day, and hour, and minute, the elephant’s child had never seen a crocodile. And finally he asked an unknown creature (the crocodile himself) the question which he hoped to finally relieve himself of, “What does the crocodile have for dinner?”
The crocodile winked one eye as the elephant’s child came closer. He put his head down close to the crocodile’s musky, tusky mouth and the crocodile caught him by his little nose and said between his teeth “I think today I will begin with an elephant’s child”.
The elephant sat back on his haunches and pulled, and pulled, and pulled against the crocodile’s tug. His nose began to stretch and stretch. The crocodile threshed his tail like an oar, and he pulled, and pulled, and pulled, and at each pull the elephant’s child’s nose grew longer, and longer, and it hurt!
Illustrated by Rudyard Kipling
Eventually the crocodile let go of the elephant’s nose with a plop that you could hear all up and down the Limpopo River.
Photo credit: Danny Goirdano
The elephant’s child waited three days for his trunk to shrink, but it never grew any shorter, and, besides, it made him squint.
At the end of the third day a fly stung him on his shoulder, and before he knew it he lifted up his trunk and hit that fly dead. Vantage one.
He plucked large bundles of grass and stuffed them into his mouth. Vantage two.
He then schlooped up a schloop of mud from the banks and slapped it on his head, where it made a cool schloopy-sloshy mud-cap all trickly behind his ears. Vantage three.
And so with the many vantages provided by this extended trunk- elephants never missed their old blackish, bulgy noses, as big as a boot, that they could wriggle about from side to side.
‘The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa, for he has so much to look forward to’– Richard Mullin.
I stand with Richard on this one. If you haven’t been to this continent yet, well, then, Africa is your oyster. There is nothing quite like a safari and you will only truly understand this once you pack your bags and see with your own two eyes the wildlife and landscape silhouetted by the setting sun.
To give you a taste, here’s a typical day in the bush:
Rise and shine! Generally, you will be waking with the birds (times differ based on season). For all those shocking morning people, don’t worry, it will all be worth it – we promise! The best game viewing is undoubtedly early in the morning. Rising with the sun you will meet your ranger and tracker for tea and coffee, before jumping into a 4×4 safari vehicle. No two mornings are the same, and so the anticipation is half the excitement.
With all that exhilaration, you are going to be ready for a well-earned, scrumptious breakfast. Return to your camp for tummy refueling, while catching up on the unbelievable wildlife you just encountered.
The adventure doesn’t end there. Depending on the reserve and the season, the lodges offer a safari walk with an armed tracker. Marvel at the smaller wonders of the game reserve, spotting hidden creatures such as insects and birds. Be told fascinating stories by your tracker and learn more about the traditional, cultural, and medicinal properties of trees and plants.
It’s time to eat again, and yes you will be in your element with the spread of delicious food provided for you. Feeling satisfied and lethargic, enjoy time relaxing, reading, swimming in the pool or give into a well deserved nap.
As the day cools down and shadows form across the bushveld, enjoy afternoon tea with an African sunset as a backdrop and chirping crickets as your music. With dusk approaching the animals become more active and so the nocturnal hunting ground begins.
Just picture it: you’re sipping on your favourite, refreshing beverage with a picturesque view, watching the copper African sun set behind a glowing horizon. Is there anything more magical? This is a classic safari tradition, and your gin and tonic will probably be the most memorable one you’ll ever have!
Now it’s time to catch the action hidden behind the blanket of the night. A powerful spotlight is used to catch sightings of creatures in the dark. See the reflective eyes of some of Africa’s most elusive, nocturnal animals such as leopard and the sunset hunters- the lions.
Just when you thought your thrilling day had come to end, you’ll find that there’s more to the agenda. Enjoy a scrumptious meal and be told stories by the fire underneath a blanket of stars.
From adorable cubs to snarling, no-nonsense apex predators, there’s a lot to admire about lions. Maybe, more than anything, the fact that they spend between 16 and 20 hours each day resting and sleeping. That’s got to fill them with ‘pride.’
The only social member of the cat family, lions mostly hunt from dusk till dawn. Well, the females do. Male lions defend the pride’s territory while females do most of the hunting. Despite this, the males eat first.
Before we jump into the incredible photos – mostly coming from our year-long photography competition, Africa’s Photographer of the Year – here are a few more interesting facts about lions;
A lion’s roar is the loudest of any big cat and can be heard up to 8 km away.
Lions were once found throughout Africa, Asia and Europe but now exist only in Africa with one exception. The last remaining Asiatic lions are found in Sasan-Gir National Park in India, which was primarily created to protect the species. Currently, there are approximately 350-400 lions in the park.
Entrance to the Tower of London used to be free if you brought a dog or a cat to feed to the lions.
Lions’ tongues are huge, pink and covered with sharp papillae, they are rough enough to scrape meat from bones or make human skin bleed.
During the mating season, lionesses have sex up to 50 times a day for four days and nights in a row with as many as five males – but each bout lasts only ten seconds.
Snarling male lionTwo lion cubs at sunsetTwo young lions sitting in the grassMale lion emerging from a bushTwo lion cubs play fightingYoung lion restingNamibian desert lion Photo Credit: Flip StanderLion sitting in the grass at sunsetLion emerging out of the mist in Sabi SandMother and her two cubsDark-maned male lionMale lion lying between long grassYoung male lion up a treeLions sitting on a rock in the African bush Photo Credit: William J. GreenFour male lions walking along a dirt road Photo Credit: Werner SchmäingLion cubs sitting on a rock Photo Credit: Tea RiemsdykLion with his kill Photo Credit: Stefania UrbiniLion cub close-up Photo Credit: Rodrigues JorgeClose-up of a lioness Photo Credit: Neil PreyerMale lion with a game vehicle in the background Photo Credit: Peter GauchelA rare white lion Photo Credit: Phil JuddLioness chasing off a male lion Photo Credit: Phil JuddDark-maned male lion Photo Credit: Pravin Kumar VanchiLioness drinking Photo Credit: Neil PreyerClose-up of a male lion Photo Credit: Neil PreyerA male lion scratching his mane on a tree Photo Credit: Mike WalshHead of a lion emerging from long grass Photo Credit: Mike WalshThree lion cubs Photo Credit: Mike WalshMale lion standing between trees Photo Credit: Marli PotgieterLion portrait at night Photo Credit: Michael RaddallLions walking across a river Photo Credit: Mike SutherlandLion cubs walking along a road Photo Credit: Mike SutherlandLion sitting by a river Photo Credit: Mike WalshPortrait of a lion in long grass Photo Credit: Marli PotgieterLions up a tree Photo Credit: Marie SchoferYoung lion drinking water Photo Credit: Liam DonnellyPortrait of a lion surrounded by grass Photo Credit: Lalith EkanayakeMale lion snarling Photo Credit: Karin van der MerweYoung male lion sitting in long grass Photo Credit: Jane PearcePride of lions walking along a road Photo Credit: Julie ChapmanPortrait of a lion on the edge of a road Photo Credit: Karen FeldmeierTwo lion cubs biting a branch Photo Credit: Karin KellerLion with a paw over his face Photo Credit: Karin van der MerweFour lion cubs drinking from a puddle Photo Credit: Jane PearceLion cub trying to play with a an adult Photo Credit: Jane PearceTwo lion cubs lying in the grass Photo Credit: Jane PearceTwo male lions resting Photo Credit: Jane PearcePride of lions walking along a dirt road Photo Credit: James WalkerClose-up of a lion lying in the grass Photo Credit: David BrimsMale lion walking down the trunk of a fallen tree Photo Credit: Eddie HydeLion lying in the grass at sunset Photo Credit: Eddie HydeA lone lion at dusk Photo Credit: Gillian MaskellBlack and white portrait of a male lion Photo Credit: Jacha PotgieterLion and her cub walking Photo Credit: David BrimsClose-up of a male lion Photo Credit: Danijel SurićAriel shot of a lion and its kill Photo Credit: Oliver Celerier AbidjanLions and their kill Photo Credit: Mike WalshBaby elephant taken down by a lion with its herd in the background Photo Credit: Luca FrigerioBlack and white close-up of a lion yawning Photo Credit: Camille BoerderieA lion standing among wildebeest and zebra Photo Credit: Chase WellsBacklit silhouette of a lion Photo Credit: Clint RalphTwo lion cubs playing Photo Credit: Clint RalphPortrait of a male lion Photo Credit: Clint RalphTwo male lions walking through long grass together Photo Credit: Anton PretoriousLion drinking from water at night Photo Credit: Anna-MartLion cub playing over a branch Photo Credit: Anja ImmelmanPride of Lions in Madikwe having a drink at a local waterhole Photo Credit: Alex MaasLion lioness walking though long dry grass Photo Credit: Alex MaasTwo lion cubs in the background of a lioness and her kill Photo Credit: Alpesh DabasiaLion lying in lush grass Photo Credit: Andrew Tudor Morgan
Finding kids activities in Namibia is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Well, we don’t suggest you actually take their candy, but if you do they probably won’t complain because they’ll be having so much fun with the activities below.
When it comes to kids activities in Namibia it’s all about the wildlife and the amazing first-hand experiences with them. Take the kids to Namibia with this piece-of-cake list of activities:
Beautiful leopard crouching in the Africat Foundation at Okonjima, Photo credit: Okonjima Africat Foundation
1. Animal sanctuaries
Let’s face it – animals are the way to a child’s heart (and maybe sugar). The Okonjima AfriCat Foundation, a cat sanctuary rehabilitating cheetah, wild dog and hyena, is a great opportunity for children to get up close with these beautiful carnivores.
After that, you can also visit N/a’an ku sê. N/a’an ku sê is another sanctuary that cares for injured and orphaned rhinos, elephants and cats. It also cares for smaller animals such as baboons, meerkats and mongooses. Support these causes while enjoying some of your family’s favourite animals.
Baboon holding a persons finger in the naankuse foundation, Photo credit: N/a’an ku sê Foundation
2. Meerkat experiences
Seeing these cute, tiny critters will definitely be a hit with the kids. In the south of Namibia in the sands of the Kalahari, kids can have the giddy experience of spending time amongst a mob of meerkats. Believe it or not, that’s what a group of meerkats is called. Become familiar with these cheeky guys perched on their hind legs scanning for predators and dashing to their holes in emergencies.
Three meerkats on their hind legs in the Kalahari in Namibia, Photo credit: Viktor Cap
3. Sanddunes
Blow the kids away with rust-red dunes towering over 300m off the desert floor, some of the highest in the world. Get rid of that build up of energy by sending them for a run up a dune or two. If you really want to get into their good books, take the kids sand boarding. If the kids are old enough (10 years and older) they can sandboard down some of the biggest sand dunes near coastal Swakopmund, with no prior experience needed.
Kid sliding on a dune slope, Photo credit: Alter Action SandboardingPerson sandboarding in Namibia with a setting sun, Photo credit: Alter Action Sandboarding
4. The seals at Cape Cross
This is the world’s largest colony of Cape fur seals with over one hundred thousand seals cavorting around the Skeleton Coast. Watch as these jolly creatures take up almost every inch of the beach just a few metres away from you. That has got to be the sealiest thing you’ve ever heard of.
The amazing seal colony in Namibia
5. Safari in Etosha
Etosha, meaning ‘the great white area’ because of its salt pan, is one of the largest national parks in the world. Not only are there many waterholes, Etosha has floodlit ones, too. Kids can marvel at the countless herds of zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, rhino and elephant
Zebras drinking from a waterhole in Etosha Namibia, Featured image: Ongava Tented Camp
If you don’t have pictures of that lion kill, did you really see it? Okay maybe you did, but where’s the hard evidence for when that one colleague of yours puts you on the stand? Make sure you have your iPhone within hands reach on your next safari.
You’ll be sure to take home a collection of beautiful safari photos with these handy tips:
Photo credit: Tippy Brewitt
1. The old iPhone through the binoculars trick
Wanting that great close-up shot of a lion cub? Getting a quality zoomed-in shot can be tricky and this little secret tip, used by frequent safari goers such as our CEO, is the solution. Holding the camera a small distance behind the lens of your binoculars you’re able to capture really interesting close-up shots of wildlife. Impress your friends with the clarity and detail in your close-ups of your favourite furry creatures.
2. Time-lapse
Here’s another feature capturing those magical motions experienced on your safari. Burst Mode can sometimes be a little too fast-paced for your needs. When that’s the case. try Time-Lapse mode. It takes a picture every few seconds and shows static scenes that gradually change. Just press the red ‘record’ button to start and again to stop it. It works best if the phone is still, so if you don’t have a sturdy hand, try and rest it on something or make a little makeshift tripod. Top tip: get the sun or clouds in motion in the background creating an unforgettable shot.
3. Burst Mode
This is perfect for an action scene out on the dusty plains when it’s critical that you don’t miss out on any unbelievable photo opportunities. This setting can be a little heavy on your phone’s gallery space but it’s a wonderful setting to use if you want to capture the high-speed commotion of a hunt. Simply keep your finger down on the shutter button and choose your best shot later. It’s best to clear up some space in your photo gallery in anticipation of all those actions shots.
4. HDR Mode
Say goodbye to dark images and hello to more detail and clarity. High Dynamic Range means the contrast between the light and dark areas of your photos are less dramatic. This setting works by taking three images in the space of one and stitches them together to create a better representation of what your eye sees in real life. Get a magnificent African sunset or mountain range shot with figures in the foreground with this setting.
Photo credit: Tippy Brewitt
5. The Selfie Stick
No, this piece of apparatus is not only for teenage girls. Not only useful for group and individual shots, the selfie stick, can also be turned around and used as a simple extension of your arm depicting a range of perspectives. It brings some really interesting angles to your photography and in turn creates unique and creative pieces compared to everyday shots taken from chest height. For example, capturing small cute animals like meerkats that are too low to reach normally.
6. Get familiar with the photo editing options
You don’t need to be a expert photographer to effectively edit a shot. There are actually a ton of different ways you can subtly edit your pictures, over and above simply picking a fancy filter. With black and white images, you can alter the intensity, grain, tone and neutral areas and you can even make saturation changes to the colour of your pics. Experiment with your safari memories for an enhanced portrayal of your holiday.
Photo credit: Carmen Brewitt
Now that you’ve mastered safari iPhoneography, it’s time to take it a step further.
Go on, don’t be shy – Instagram a couple of your masterpieces.
Maybe you know it’s a parliament of owls, a shrewdness of apes and a murder of crows, but what is a group of wildebeest called?
You won’t believe it.
It’s an implausibility of wildebeest.
I find the collective nouns for hawks very interesting too. In general, a group of hawks is called a cast. In flight, they’re called a kettle, and if they’re circling, they’re called a boil. Who comes up with this stuff?
Whatever the case, they make for some great fun facts. Next time you’re on safari, pull one of these obscure collective nouns out to impress your ranger…
An armoury of aardvarks
A shrewdness of apes
An army of ants
A troop of baboons
A cete of badgers
A cloud of bats
A herd of buffalo
A coalition of cheetahs
Image credit: Randal Ormston
A cartload of chimpanzees
A quiver of cobras
A bask of crocodiles
A murder of crows
A pack of wild dogs
A convocation of eagles
A herd/parade/memory of elephants
A leash of foxes
A flamboyance of flamingos
A tower/journey of giraffes A band of gorillas
A cast of hawks (general)
A kettle of hawks (in flight)
A boil of hawks (spiraling)
A bloat of hippos
A cackle of hyenas
A leap of leopards
A conspiracy of lemurs
Image credit: Vladislav T. Jirousek
A pride of lions
A troop/barrel of monkeys
A band of mongooses
A parliament of owls
A pandemonium of parrots
A prickle of porcupines
An unkindness of ravens
A crash of rhinos
A venue of vultures
An implausibility of wildebeest
A dazzle of zebras
What to do in Madagascar? Madagascar is an island made up of mesmerizing landscapes, bizarre wildlife, and endless hours of stories sharing the island’s fascinating history. This mysterious and unspoiled island off Africa is considered “the eighth continent” and if you’re in the mood for a new adventure then a trip to this spectacular island should be at the top of your list. This is why we’ve created this list of the top 10 things to do in Madagascar!
A river in Ranomafana national Park, Madagascar Image credit: Madagascaradam (flickr)
There is so much to do in this sunny corner of the planet, here are just a few ideas to get that heart racing, mind dreaming, and yourself flying (or sailing) straight to this island to experience it in all its natural glory.
Our Top 10 Things to do in Madagascar
1. Encounter wildlife wonders
Madagascar is home to over 200,000 different wildlife species with many of them endemic to the island. There is a wonderful mix of tropical, temperate, and arid climates around the island, which makes it a great place for a wide range of species and unique adventures.
A close-up of the Madagascar Green Gecko Photo credit: Clement BardotA Madagascan Chameleon Photo credit: Ly Washu
Madagascar’s Hollywood-famous animal (thanks to that delightful animation named after the island) is the wide-eyed lemur. However, there are also other interesting creatures such as the fossa, tortoise, gecko, and chameleon. The brightly-coloured chameleons demand a stop and stare from visitors. The silky sifaka lemur, known as “angel of the forest,” is one of the rarest mammals on earth.
A black and white Ruffed lemur in Madagascar Photo credit: Mathias Appel
2. While away your time whale watching
Every year between June and October more than 7,000 humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic to the waters of Madagascar’s east coast to breed and calve. This makes for a truly fascinating spectacle.
A humpback whale in Madagascan waters Image credit: Bertrand Gossart
Some of the best spots to see these magnificent creatures are between Baie d’Antongil and the channel separating Île Sainte Marie from the mainland where the water is a little warmer. There are boat trips on the go during this time so make sure you don’t miss out on this truly breathtaking experience.
3. Dive with whale sharks
Madagascan reefs are famous for their seemingly infinite collection of colourful fish and exotic corals. It also happens to be one of the only places in the world where you can dive with whale sharks.
Dive with whale sharks in Madagascar Image credit: Gregory Miles
Nosy Be, is a divers paradise thanks to all the other little islands surrounding it; Nosy Komba, Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Tanikely, and more. Expect to swim with manta rays, turtles, stingrays and during November and December whale sharks make an appearance, too!
Colourful fishes swimming in the waters of Madagascar Image credit: Ji Wang
4. Island hop from paradise to paradise
A stretch of beach at Madagascar Photo credit: unknown
A scene from your wildest dreams! Jump on a catamaran and explore the tropical islands around Nosy Be. Although Nosy Be is one of Madagascar’s top attractions it still maintains an authentic sense of charm and untouched island splendour.
If you’re not one for swimming with sharks then fear not for Nosy Be is a haven for all kinds of idyllic island activities including snorkeling, sailing, swimming and ultimately soaking up the slow pace of an island lifestyle under the Madagascan sun.
5. Be enthralled by Baobab Alley
It’s postcard perfect, during the day and as the sun slowly disappears in the evening. Baobab Alley is a striking collection of baobabs that line a road in western Madagascar and is one of the country’s most iconic sights. It’s in the Menabe region in western Madagascar between Morondava and Belon’I Tsiribihina. It is also a hotspot for local conservationists keen to protect the striking environment.
Baobab Alley in Madagascar Photo credit: Rod Waddington
The species of baobab are endemic to Madagascar and roughly 800 years old. It must be one of the most idyllic settings for storytelling time. Don’t forget your camera for this one!
Baobab Alley in Madagascar at sunset Photo credit: Frank Vassen
6. Travel to another planet at Tsingy National Park
Also on the western coast of Madagascar, the peculiar Tsingy National Park attracts great numbers to its otherworldly landscape. This popular park is home to a staggering range of limestone needles. It’s a fascinating geographic formation that needs to be seen to be believed. This World Heritage Site consists of canyons, forests, lakes, swamps, gorges, and a whole lot of strange looking limestone.
Tsingy National Park unique landscapes Photo credit: Rod Waddington
7. Kitesurf in style
Kitesurfing at Madagascar Photo credit: Unknown
The north of Madagascar has the type of regular winds that kitesurfers dream of. From March to December, Madagascar is an ideal destination for kite surfers. The two main spots are Anakao in the southwest and Babaomby and Sakalava in the north.
8. Surf some more
The southwest coast of Madagascar calls all surfers to its shores! This area is riddled with perfect reef and point set ups. The island is the fourth largest in the world and offers some great surf spots along its coastline. There are surf camps at all the good spots around the island. However, there are still locations left unexplored, so get there fast.
A surfer riding a wave Photo credit: Tim Bogdanov
9. Witness the turtles of Nosy Iranja
Nosy Iranja is the only Indian Ocean Island that is a nesting ground for two of the eight turtle species found in our oceans, the hawksbill and green turtle. You can watch them nest and hatch here.
A turtle swimming in pristine waters Photography credit: Unknown
Not only is it incredible to watch the turtles nest in the sand but to watch the little ones hatch and scuttle to the safety of the ocean is another indescribable moment.
10. Immerse yourself in ethnic culture
Apart from the island’s stunning scenery and animal life, Madagascar has a magnificent diversity of cultures and traditions. With more than 18 different ethnic groups, the Malagasy culture is a colourful mix of African, Arab, and Indian origin with some of the friendliest locals in all of Africa.
Now, you know what to do in Madagascar!
Need any more encouragement to go to Madagascar? There are at least five reasons to make it your next holiday. Feel free to chat to one of our consultants to start planning an unforgettable trip.
Spotting the Big 5 is usually on most safari goers to-do list. And one of the best things to see on a game drive, at least in my opinion, is an interaction between two different animals. Now, seeing an interaction between two of the Big 5 is probably the ultimate safari bucket list goal. Hanspeter Lang from Birr, Switzerland, was lucky enough to see a clash between an elephant and a rhino mother with her baby. He sent an image into our Africa’s Photographer of the Year competition and we were captivated, so we asked him to tell us the story.
Hanspeter and his wife had their 25th anniversary coming up and decided to jet off to South Africa for a safari celebration. He is an avid photographer and loves to take pictures of wildlife, which means he’s on every single game drive! You can’t miss a second of the action if you’re a photographer.
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
They set off one evening, camera in tow, ready for any action, unaware of what was around the corner. They spotted two rhinos and an elephant from a distance scattered among some zebra and decided to investigate the scene.
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
They slowly moved towards them, trying to get a closer look and possibly an up-close photograph or two. What could have prepared them for what was to come? The cheeky adolescent elephant became increasingly intrigued by the rhino and her baby and ran towards them, trunk blazing.
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
The game ranger told them, “This elephant is a young, wild teenager and likes to tussle.”
Usually, when male elephants reach adolescence they spend less time with their mothers and break off into ‘bachelor pods.’ During this time of maturity, once a year, males experience a thick, black secretion, from their temporal ducts, which is known as ‘musth’. Their glands swell, causing pressure in their head and by their eyes, and tends to be quite painful. The combination of this and an increased amount of testosterone also makes them increasingly aggressive. Puberty is difficult, guys!
This young one doesn’t seem to have any marks of ‘musth’ however, which usually appear in front of their ears.
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
Hanspeter mentions that there aren’t many elephants in this private game reserve and there weren’t any around at the time. It has been documented that young elephants who do not have older males around to model behaviour from tend to cause more trouble. When elephants are in this state they have been known to go after rhinos and other large animals to let go of some of this pent up energy.
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
With the adolescent elephant charging in, the mama rhino came to the rescue. Her large horn came to their defence as she averted the elephant’s attention away from her baby. I wouldn’t want to mess with this mom and her weapon of choice!
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
Hanspeter says that there aren’t too many elephants in the reserve and thinks he just wanted to get in touch with the rhinos. He also mentions that this elephant didn’t run away from the rhino’s immediately and stayed in close proximity to them for some company. Maybe there is some truth in this and this poor elephant is just a tad lonely.
The little one looks very confused and surprised at the whole encounter, “Woah! What the hell was that thing, Mom?”
Image Credit: Hanspeter Lang
Thankfully, everyone was safe at the end and Hanspeter and his wife have beautiful pictures and an amazing story to share around the next campfire. He had to take these pictures from a moving safari vehicle, which must have been very difficult. They seem to have come out beautifully! It’s experiences like these that make you feel alive and ignites a passion and love for Africa and its animals. Thank you to Hanspeter for these incredible images and sharing your story with us.
*Disclaimer: No elephants or rhinos were hurt in the making of this blog post.
We like to revel in the eccentricities it has to offer
Image credit: David Brossard
As well as ogle at its cute animals
Image Credit: Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
You start to become a tree-hugger after a while
Image credit: Kurt Bauschardt
But you’re not the only one
Image Credit: Jamala Madikwe
The traffic jams are… different
And quite difficult to manoeuvre at times
Image Credit: Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge
Pro tip: Don’t leave your windows open
Try to stay in your car for that matter
Photo Credit: Karen Vermaak
You never know when you might bump into a lion on the loose in Africa
Image credit: Anthony Parkes
There’s always room for someone in need
And a bit more space for your luggage
Sometimes both
The signs are… informative
And unique
Image credit: Uwe Aranas
It can sometimes get crowded
Image Credit: Linyanti Bush Camp
But thankfully there are wide open spaces to compensate
Image Credit: Ngama Tented Safari Lodge
There are many ways to explore Africa: You can take a mokoro
Image Credit: Linyanti Bush Camp
A balloon
A boat cruise
Image Credit: Kings Pool Camp
Perhaps even a horse
Image Credit: Equitrekking
You can even take a leisurely stroll if you prefer
Image Credit: Tom’s little hide
The views are diverse
Image Credit: Linyati Bush Camp.
And captivating
Image Credit: Somalisa Acacia Camp
Sleeping outside is now a luxury
Image Credit: Lion Sands
And you’re actually starting to enjoy camping
Image Credit: Honeyguide Mantobeni
As long as you can do it in style
Image Credit: The Hide Safari Camp Room
Sunsets are important in Africa
Image Credit: Somalisa Acacia Camp
But not as important as sundowners
Image Credit: Kanga Camp
Don’t worry, a plan is always made to get that drink, wherever you may be
Image Credit: Tom’s little hide
Eating is… an experience
Image Credit: Tswalu Turkuni Lodge
You meet some interesting creatures at the dining table
Image Credit: Giraffe Manor
Dinners are usually accompanied by fire and boundless skies
Image credit: Mapito Tented Camp
The crackling of a fire and the laugh of your loved ones is probably a better way to bond than watching another rerun of ‘Frasier’ (no judgement, I’m on the 7th round)
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He plucked large bundles of grass and stuffed them into his mouth. Vantage two.
A band of gorillas
