This must surely rank as one of the most special wildlife encounters we’ve ever had.
We came across this beautiful black rhino cow and her two younger companions (at least one, maybe both, her calves) in December in one of the game reserves we visited on our summer trip to the bush. It was an overcast evening, with the little available light fading fast and perfectly accentuating the cow’s aggressive temperament, so characteristic of the species.
Long may she reign over her piece of African wilderness.
(click on any of the images to view them in a bigger format gallery)
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
The embodiment of magnificence
DeWetsWild 
WOWZA!
That was more or less what we said too 😉
A warm welcome here at de Wets Wild!
Oehoe Dries! Ongelooflik. Het dit nog nooit gesien in my lewe nie. Lyk amper soos ‘n antenna. Ek het nie geweet jy kry so lang horing nie? Hoop net die game reserve bewaar die diere mooi. Amper vir my snaaks dat hul dit so tentoonstel .
Die spesifieke reservaat hou n besonderse wakende oog oor hul renosters Spokie, ons het dit self ervaar. En is dit nie inspirerend om te dink dat ons nog ons wereld met sulke mooi diere deel nie!?
Jy hou voorwaar die rekord vir renoster horing en olifant tande. Ons is trots om jou te ken Dries – hou so voort!
Jy is darem maar vreeslik gaaf Spokie, baie dankie!
Sal sy nie mooier lyk met ‘n paar deur geboorde wild diewe nie? 😉
En daar kan n hele paar skollies op daardie lang horings pas, ne AJ 😉
Thank you for these most amazing photographs. I wish we could all be put at ease that these magnificent creatures will remain safe in the preserves. I join the others who believe as you do in the comments already expressed…
~Jane
Absolutely agreed Jane. I so wish I could have shared where we saw her, so that others who’d appreciate a sighting like this could search for her too. But alas, doing so could jeopardise her safety even more than it already is…
Amazing creatures! I never realized a rhino’s horns could get so large. That last photo looks like she’s getting ready to charge right at you! Beautiful shots! 🙂
Thank you very much Linda! These are the biggest horns I’ve ever seen on a black rhino. And yes, she is getting ready to charge; black rhinos are infamously bad-tempered 😉
Now that’s one scary image! Glad nothing happened! 🙂
The horns are huge aren’t they. I imagine it was awe inspiring being there
It certainly was Rob!
An amazing stature of creature.
So true KC!
I hope she lives a long, long life and meets a natural end. Fantastic pictures!
We echo those sentiments wholeheartedly Barbara, and thanks for the compliment
But how in the name of all the gods did she manage to avoid the poachers ? – because I’m told that animals’ being inside reserves doesn’t stop them …
That’s the sad truth Margaret-Rose, being in a game reserve or national park does not guarantee they’ll be safe from the poachers decimating our rhinos (and other wildlife). So far she has managed to evade them, and we pray it stays that way…
BTW, it’s very nice to see you around these parts again!
Thank you kindly, Dries – when I started my new blog and moved away from the old one, I temporarily stopped visiting people. Tsk !
We also have a lot of catching up to do after 3 weeks in the bush 😀
Beautiful. The shot with him heading towards you feels a bit un-nerving, but still such majesty.
There are safer places to be than the business-end of a black rhino cow, Christopher 😉
You have captured her strength and beauty so wonderfully. Something sweet about these photos, too.
Thank you Lois! I think you’re picking up on the fact that she’d protect her offspring at any cost 🙂
they are beautiful.
Absolutely!
Fantastiese diere en foto’s!Die koei het ‘n manjefieke horing.Dankie hiervoor,Dries.
Dankie Dina. Ja-Nee, hierdie is n baie besonderse swartrenoster.
Magnificent is a good word for them.
Pity some people (poachers) cannot see that Kathy
Amazing animals.
As charismatic as can be Maralee!
Magnificent animals!
Thanks for marveling at them with us, Jane!
I agree! Great photos of these special and magnificent animals!
Thank you Amy!
WOW!
You can say that again, Rosemarie! How’s the planning for your next trip to South Africa coming along?
Dries, It’s coming along, but I am sorry to say that I could not follow your advice. I am a lone female traveler and everyone advises me that I should not rent a vehicle and drive by myself in Africa, especially since I am a tourist and unfamiliar. I am using African Budget Safaris this time. Their prices fit my budget, and I will spend six days in Kruger and Sabi Sands in addition to a 10-day camping safari in Namibia. I am hoping also to book a balloon flight out of Swakopmund. Then I will meet my son for a few days in Cape Town before I fly home. Not all arrangements are made but are in progress. Rosemarie
I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time Rosemarie, and that balloon flight over Swakopmund sounds as close to heaven as one can hope for!
C’est manifique for sure!
I knew you’d agree, Dendymactoodle!
Dis asemrowende foto’s!
Baie dankie Tannie Frannie!
Great pics of the rhino.
Thank you so very much, and welcome here!
Yikes! she looks pretty scary! Her horn’s are the first Rhino I’ve seen with complete ones, amazing!
I couldn’t fall asleep that evening, I just kept thinking about how blessed we were to be given a glimpse of something so beautiful…
What an encounter! I’ve never seen horns like that on a rhino before, I didn’t realise they grew so long and thin. Thanks for enlightening me. 🙂
This is a very special specimen, we’ve never seen a black rhino with horns of these dimensions either.