Blog – Ranger's Blog
Life of a Ranger: Leopard tortoise drinking water from the hide
Did you know that at Rhulani there is an observation hide from where - well hidden - you can observe all kinds of animals up close, even the smallest ones? Rhulani’s ranger Ralf tells us today about a leopard tortoise that visited the waterhole and went swimming in it.
Read moreRhulani Insights 170 – Packing for Game Drive
It’s late afternoon in Rhulani and we’re getting ready for the game drive. For our ranger Willem, this means making the final preparations to get the vehicle ready to go and pack the cooler boxes for sundowners. Let’s follow him!
Read moreLife of a Ranger: Lionesses walking at night
Did you know that lions are nocturnal animals? Rhulani’s Ranger Alasdair tells us about a recent night sighting and he says why he loves the life in the bush so much: you never know what you are going to bump into.
Read moreLife of a Ranger: Matabele Ant Raid
Did you know that from time to time the Matabele Ants make a veritable attack on termite mounds, they paralize the termites and take them out as it is one of their favorite meals? Rhulani’s ranger Willem shows us one of these rather unusual sightings today, and we watch as the ants come back from the raid.
Read moreBooooom ... There was the leopard
There’s something special, magical about the photo of the drinking leopard, don’t you think? It was shot yesterday, on game drive, by our ranger “Captain Redbeard” Alasdair. Let’s ask how this came about.
Read moreThe first Pangolin sighting in sixty years of being on safari all over Africa
“This was an incredible sighting. Not only was it the second Pangolin sighting in over fourteen and a half years that I have been in the safari industry, but it was the first Pangolin sighting for three generations of guests.” It hasn’t been long since Daniel joined Rhulani’s Ranger Team as a qualified Field Guide and he is already sharing one of those unique stories the African bush never fails to delight us with.
Read moreExciting news about Bologeka
Bologeka? That’s one of the impressive female lions which hangs around in our region. Alasdair tells us about amazing moments he was able to experience yesterday together with Rhulani’s guests, just in time for the use of his new photo camera. Bologeka delighted us with the presentation of two young little cubs.
Read moreA Hyena for a Sundwoner
A normal afternoon game drive. The sun is on the horizon. Time for sundowners. Alasdair stops in a nice place and sets up the table next to the vehicle. A white tablecloth is also there. Rhulani style. The bar in the bush is set up. The guests stretch their legs, enjoying the peace and quiet out here. Alasdair shakes the mixer for a refreshing gin and tonic. A guest says: “Alasdair, there is a Hyena!”
Read moreLooking for the Leopard ... and then this!
The sundowners is over. Night falls over the Madikwe Game Reserve. A cool wind is blowing in our faces while we spend the last moments in the bush on the open Landcruiser. Alasdair turns on the spotlight and - as he drives - lights the trees and bushes. This is the moment when we secretly hope to experience a last highlight of a safari day. A Leopard up there in the tree? But we hardly imagine what would happen next.
Read moreFortunately, no animal fell into the swimming pool
Early morning, 5:15 a.m. In the pale morning light, our guests sip a black coffee at the entrance table. On the sickle bush, some Go-away birds are waiting for Michael, the night guard, as he brings some breadcrumbs for them, like every morning. A new day at Rhulani. Riaan calls his guests as he wants to show them the Wild Dogs today. Yesterday he was not lucky, but they must be around here somewhere. He starts the engine.
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