Tuesday 20 October 2015

Animal Tales from my travels to South Africa

Think of South Africa and you think of Elephants, Zebras and Lions. People are often amazed to hear that these animals don't just wander around the streets, although there have been occasions where a cheetah has escaped from a reserve it isn't very common.

Driving through South Africa you are more likely to see fields of sheep and cows than you are any other animal, but Ostrich's and Antelope are farmed for their meat so you may see them dotted around also behind fences.

I'm staying with various friends and every one has a dog, cat or even a tortoise as a pet. Poor Leo managed to get his fur into such a knot with his dislike of being groomed that he had to have it shaved off by the vet as he was overheating.








I made a visit to a local nature reserve yesterday. Rietvlei is one of numerous reserves in and around Pretoria. There is a coffee shop, picnic site and numerous bird hides.


These are the signs dotted around the bird hides and picnic areas at all reserves. I did see a crocodile once on the approach to the bird hide so I swiftly returned to my car. 


This little picket fence and electric wires are all that is separating me from the hippo's. i didn't stop long enough to see any hippo's today but I could hear them, they moo like a cow.


I saw a selection of animals and birds, but I forgot to bring my wildlife identification books with me so I'm searching for a good and free app to download, do let me know if you have one.






I only spent an hour driving around just to get my fix of the place and I'll be spending more time there over the coming weeks to find out more about the Rhino Protection Program. I'm also planning on visiting GroenKloof and taking a walk with the giraffes.

14 comments:

  1. Enjoy your trip to South Africa Suzanne. I look forward to reading more posts about all the fabulous places you get to visit x

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    1. Thank you Izzie, there will loads more photos for sure

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  2. Gosh that black bird with the long tail and orange wing is spectacular! I wonder if you've identified it by now?

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  3. What an amazing trip, have a wonderful time, I love the Zebra #AnimalTales

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  4. There is some wonderful wildlife there. Will be interested in reading more about it. That blackbird with the red feathers is really eyecatching.

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  5. So funny that you mention hippos moo like a cow...my sis in law was singing an animal nursery rhyme to my nephew this afternoon and asked me if I knew that! Lovely photos :)

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    1. it surprises me that the rhinos don't make a noise, they just snort

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  6. Please please please stay long enough to see and photograph hippos. Please!!! We need hippos on #AnimalTales :) Great photos even without them but poor Leo!

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