It's not a secret that there are snakes in the African bush and we also know that our experienced rangers have seen quite a few. But this sighting, which happened a few days ago and which Willem tells us about, was the first of its kind for him. It has to do with a black mamba.
Black mambas are fast, nervous, lethally venomous, and when threatened, highly aggressive. They have been blamed for numerous human deaths, and African myths exaggerate their capabilities to legendary proportions. For these reasons, the black mamba is widely considered as one of the most dangerous snakes.
"I was quite leisurely on the way to Thlou Dam that morning," says Willem, "because we have a good chance of seeing a herd of elephants there because of the good water level."
As we come onto the road, close to the dam, we have this beautiful which I presume was a male, but I am not sure. So this black mamba was crossing the road and the full body length could be seen from the of the nose to the tip of the tail.
Willem says he's seen quite a few black mambas in his young life. But not like that, on a game drive, and in full length, so calm, relaxed. “Normally you see them just quick quick and they have gone again.”
Willem: “When the snake noticed us, it stopped in the middle of the road. I also stopped my vehicle and turned off the engine. We had time to take out the cameras and take a couple of wonderful pictures. Then, it decided to turn around and go back from where it came. It disappeared back into the bushes and was no longer to be seen.”
A small, very special anecdote before the journey continued as planned. With elephants playing by the water.
Related articles
Rhulani Minute Safari - A little injured Zebra
| Rhulani Safari LodgeThe little zebra was injured by something, by a predator, or maybe it had an unfortunate fall. Sometimes the injury heals on its own, especially in such young animals, but sometimes it doesn't, and it...Life of a Ranger: Off-roading for a Dagga Boy
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDid you know that sometimes it takes a lot of driving skills to find and follow the wild animals? Today, Rhulani's Ranger Willem tells us how he found a buffalo hidden in a small quarry, and we also l...... and then I saw this silhouette
| Rhulani Safari LodgeIt was a completely normal game drive, with new guests, the first trip into the bush, and it was an afternoon with a beautiful setting sun. Alasdair, Rhulani’s head ranger, wanted to create a "wow" ef...Rhulani Minute Safari – Baboon family life
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDown here, on the flat plain and in the middle of loose bushes, a family of Chacma Baboon often hangs around. They are the only species of baboon that can be found in Madikwe Game Reserve. Here they ...An aardvark in daylight and perfect visual
| Rhulani Safari LodgeThato, Rhulan's ranger, was on his way to a lion sighting. But then, quite unexpectedly, a radio message came in and a little later a brief but nevertheless extraordinary sighting happened that you do...Life of a Ranger: Catfishes in the mud
| Rhulani Safari LodgeDid you know that catfish have lungs, which allow them to breathe and thus survive even in the worst conditions? Rhulani's ranger Alasdair shows us an unusual sighting today at the almost completely d...
