Our recent guest Clinton Richardson observes some of the wildlife around Porini Rhino Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy …
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This series of blogs will take you on Clinton’s safari in Kenya as he travels from Atlanta (USA) to Nairobi National Park, Selenkay Conservancy (Amboseli), Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Laikipia) and Olare Motorogi Conservancy (Maasai Mara). Let’s join him on his journey as he shares his insights into the conservancies, Porini Camps and the people (and animals!) that he meets along the way. All images are from Clinton’s TrekPic.com photo site. Blog entries are from his Venture Moola blog at ReadJanus.com.
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Our game drives at Ol Pejeta, where the Porini Rhino Camp is located, were very productive. The rhino, white and black, were abundant along with their young. But so too were the cape buffalo, zebra, impala, gazelles, birds, jackels and hyenas.
On this drive we found ourselves in the middle of a herd of cape buffalo, powerful beasts that look you straight in the eye. They were mostly interested in grazing but there were plenty of young to look after and watching them run about was fun.
Making My Move
Then, as I was looking to the left, I noticed a very busy bull trying to hook up with a female. She was not much interested and moved just as he did. You can see the result in these two pictures.
Above, he is making his approach. His target is facing left. His landing pad is facing right. Below you can see the result.
I Am So Embarrassed
If that is a crash of one kind on the African grassland what follows is a true crash of another kind. A family, or crash, of white rhino we found after we left the buffalo herd proved equally entertaining.
Mother and Calf
To be specific, we came upon a male and female grazing together next to the dirt road that cut through the grassland. With them was a calf the guides estimated was no more than a few months old.
Ready to Charge
While she may have been small she showed no fear. As we watched, she faced us down and threatened to charge. Then she took off running around her mom and then over to her dad, running in circles around him. She stopped there briefly to graze with dad.
Father and Calf
Then it was back to mom as she headed away from the dirt road onto the open grassland. She followed her mom, briefly. Then she was off again.
This time she was after a bird, then a zebra and then a wart hog. Each chase was enthusiastic and bounding. After three short chases, it was back after the zebra for one more try.
All her targets easily avoided her charges but she was undeterred. It was like watching a puppy run in a park.
Chasing Zebra
She was surprisingly fast and agile. Running with abandon across the grass.
On the Run
She never actually caught up with anything, of course. But the racing was a joy to watch.
Chasing a Warthog
It was another great day on the African plain.
First published 6 Dec 2018. All photos and text are © Clinton Richardson. All images are from his galleries at TrekPic.com
About Clinton Richardson
Clinton Richardson has been writing and taking photographs for decades. His books include the critically acclaimed 5th edition Richardson’s Growth Company Guide 5.0 and the award-winning book about social media and ancient coins called Ancient Selfies. His images, including images taken on his trip, can be viewed at TrekPic.com. His Venture Moola blog can be viewed at Readjanus.com.
See Other Blogs in this Series:
- Safari Countdown: Prepping for Kenya
- Safari 1: The Hunt
- Safari 2: Off to Nairobi
- Safari 3: Tented Camps & Conservancies
- Safari 4: Passports in His Underpants
- Safari 5: Night Lions to Amboseli
- Safari 6: Amboseli to Selenkay
- Safari 7: Pooh on You
- Safari 8: Eaten by a Lion?
- Safari 9: The Maasai
- Safari 10: On the Move
- Safari 12: Sundowner Surprise
- Safari 13: Stalag Panzee
- Safari 14: Bump in the Night
- Safari 15: Dry Season Showers
- Safari 16: How Many Wives Would You Like to Have?
- Safari 17: Distracting His Highness
- Safari 18: How to Eat a Tree
- Safari 19: Hunting with Children (well, cubs!)
- Safari 20: Blue Jean Symphony
- Safari 21: African Nights