Ranger Diary

My amazing game drive

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Just after entering the park the other day I was driving along Kgabo drive, when I noticed a Black Backed Jackal. I drove a bit closer to see what it was up to, and after positioning my vehicle in order to let my guests and myself get a better view, to my amazement it was feeding off the berries of a Blue Guarrie!!

I had never observed a jackal eating fruit; even though they are known to be omnivorous this was a first time for me and could not believe my eyes, what a privilege that was! As if that wasn't enough about twenty minutes later whilst driving down Tau Link towards Tshwene drive, I saw a crash of three White Rhino's, grazing along at a leisurely pace in the direction of Mankwe Dam.

Now Rhino sightings are fairly common in park as we have the world's 5th largest population; however what caught my attention to these ones in particular was an explosion of blues of various shades coming off of the one animal's back. A lilac Breasted Roller, one of my favorite little winged friends (even though a lot of the communities regard this particular bird a bad omen and is reputed to cause fires) was hitching a ride on the rhino's back!

I imagine it was on the look-out for any little insects moving around the ground due to the massive weight of the animal walking beneath it and hoping for a free meal! Needless to say my guests, who happened to be avid birders and myself where well pleased at the afternoon's proceedings and returned to the lodge to a sumptuous and well deserved meal where we sat around the fire talking about what an amazing day we had!!

Ivory Tree Game Lodge