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.