More than just Rhino's
Desert Rhino Camp ... Part 2.
Natural springs are the saving grace in this arid terrain and so it's not surprising then that the desert adapted elephant in the area follow certain familiar routes dictated by the availability of this water. Over a three day period I was particularly fortunate to get to spend quite a few peaceful hours watching the matriarch of one particular breeding herd carefully lead her family from oasis to precious oasis, feeding on the scarce vegetation resources along the way. I say “peaceful” as observing elephant has always been a calming experience for me. Equally so for many other 'pachyderm-passionates' I’ve had the good fortune to meet over the years and this time around was no different.
The gaps in between these tranquil moments were filled with oryx and springbuck which appear to be the antelope to be found in any significant numbers out there. Then there were giraffe, Hartman’s mountain zebra and of course wherever it is dry and arid the ever beautiful steenbok. We even saw a clan of spotted hyaena making their way back to their den early one morning. And, if one sits still for long enough you begin to notice there is more birdlife around than one would imagine too. What a gift finally being able to get a decent photograph of a stunning Bokmakierie - bushshrike.
Harsh climatic conditions and terrain require special adaptation in order to survive and that’s what makes the plant life out here so fascinatingly interesting. The Euphorbias, Houdia and ancient Welwhichia plants somehow manage to cling to life in the most stony of ground. Then there’s the Acacia Robynsiana or antennae tree and once again I am impressed at where the tenacious Mopane tree has found a way to become an important part of the landscape and life cycle.
Speaking of landscape, everywhere one looks is simply awe inspiring - a landscape photographers’ dream.
Back at the lodge I resisted the temptation to catch up on some sleep and spent the afternoon relaxing around the swimming pool and then paging inspiration from one of the many photographic coffee table books on display in the lounge. After that it was back out to explore some more corners of this unique place on an evening drive with sun-downer stop thrown in.
Before I knew it the day was drawing to an end and we were all sitting around the dinner table enjoying good South African wine, a sumptuous meal and great conversation and company. No complaints here. What a fitting way to end what had been a day full of sensory overload. And I would be getting to do it all again tomorrow.
A very big thank you to Wilderness Safaris and the special people working at Desert Rhino Camp; guardians of a very precious wilderness area.
