For the majority of local and international tourists the Mountain Zebra National Park is probably one of the country’s most underestimated protected areas. Conservationists and those visitors who have fell under its spell, however, can’t praise the place highly enough. But don’t give away the secret – we love Mountain Zebra National Park for its untrammeled wilderness feeling far from the madding crowds!
During our visit earlier in January I posted a few photographs on a daily basis to give those following along on our travels a glimpse of what we were experiencing. Let’s start this recap with those.
Kudu bull eating sweet-thorn blossoms
Gemsbok
Black Rhino
Springbok ewe (photo by Joubert)
Blesbok lamb (photo by Joubert)
Mountain Zebra (photo by Joubert)
Young Kudu bull (photo by Joubert)
Black Rhino (photo by Joubert)
Speckled Mousebird
Mountain Zebra National Park: Scenery along the Kranskop Loop
Mountain Zebra family squabble
Black Wildebeest
Black Rhino
Springbok
Black Rhino
Ostrich chick
Yellow Mongoose
Ground Squirrel
Marsh Terrapin
Mountain Zebra
Kudu calf
Scenery in Mountain Zebra National Park
Scenery in Mountain Zebra National Park
Scenery in Mountain Zebra National Park
Of course, pride of place goes to the population of Cape Mountain Zebra, as saving these beautiful creatures from extinction was the reason behind the Park’s proclamation almost 90 years ago.
Cape Mountain Zebras
Cape Mountain Zebra
Cape Mountain Zebra foal
Cape Mountain Zebra foal being shy
Cape Mountain Zebra
Cape Mountain Zebra mare and foal
But of course, Mountain Zebra National Park is also home to an amazing variety of other wildlife that also finds a home in this beautiful landscape.
Ludwig’s Bustard
Chat Flycatcher
Blesbok
Warthog (photo by Joubert)
Southern African Ground Squirrel
Yellow Mongoose
Yellow Canary
Ammocharis lily
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Four-striped Grass Mouse
Blesbok
Springbok herd on the move
Meerkat
Cape Longclaw
Familiar Chat
I suspect this is Cotyledon campanulata
Common River Frogs
Blue Cranes
Southern Ground Agama
Namaqua Sand Lizard
Springbok (photo by Joubert)
Eastern Clapper Lark
Blesbok lamb
Spike-heeled Lark
Black Wildebeest herd
Scaly-feathered Finch
Bar-throated Apalis
Red Hartebeest
Poynton’s River Frog
Southern African Ground Squirrels
Male Ostrich sunbathing
Blesbok Ram standing proud
Malachite Kingfisher (photo by Joubert)
Grey Rhebok
Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow
Nile Monitor
Male Buff-streaked Chat (photo by Joubert)
Common Brown Water Snake
Female Sentinel Rock Thrush
One of the most exciting sightings of our entire trip occurred early morning on our last full day in the Park, when we came across a herd of buffalo anxiously milling on the road at a precarious downhill stretch on the Kranskop Loop, just where it crosses a small stream. Only after some of the herd passed us, nerve-wreckingly due to the steep slope next to us parked off to the side of the very narrow roadway, we could go around the corner and saw the reason for the buffaloes’ distress – they were being stalked by two lionesses! The cats never went into a full blown attack while we were watching but seemed content to keep following the buffaloes and working on their nerves.
Buffalo roadblock
Buffalo herd on the move – photo by Joubert
Buffalo herd almost forcing their way past our vehicle on a narrow, steep road!
Buffalo close-up (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo
Buffalo
Very nervous buffalo cow – photo by Joubert
Nervous buffalo cow
Nervous buffalo cow
Buffalo herd continuing over the stream and up the hill to get distance between them and the lions
Lioness
Lioness
Lioness
Lioness eyeing us and the buffaloes from the grass (photo by Joubert)
Lioness
Lioness
Seen high from the Kranskop Loop Road the buffaloes are still trying to put distance between them and the lions
But the lionesses are following patiently behind
We ended our visit to Mountain Zebra National Park with a night drive. The Park is renowned for the quality sightings of otherwise rarely seen nocturnal creatures and our drive certainly did not disappoint!
The Manyeleti Game Reserve has a large population of buffaloes and we encountered several enormous herds of these bulky bovines while exploring the reserve on our recent Manyeleti Magic photographic safari. Being able to venture so close to animals this intimidating is always a thrilling affair.
One buffalo from a herd several hundred strong
A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective
A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective
A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective
A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective
Buffalo taking a little longer to chew this prickly grasshead
Buffalo taking a little longer to chew this prickly grasshead
Old Buffalo bull
Buffalo cow with interesting headdress
Buffalo calf
Alert Buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Young Buffalo bull
We’re already taking bookings for our 2025 Manyeleti Magic Photographic Safari and Workshop, to be conducted out of Buffelshoek Camp again in June of next year in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography. Contact us if you’d like to join this one, or if you and a group of family and friends are keen to do something similar on other dates we’d be very glad to accommodate you!
There’s no denying that Africa’s mega-mammals are a great attraction for visitors to our national parks, and being in close proximity to these majestic and charismatic animals remains a thrill we cannot ever tire of, no matter how often we have the pleasure to see them up close.
The Cape, of African, Buffalo may not box in the same weight division as the rhinos and elephants that also call Marakele National Park home, but they have a well deserved fearsome reputation, especially the cantankerous lone males, of which we saw quite a few while we were exploring the Park on our short visit last week.
A lone Cape Buffalo bull sauntering along the road in Marakele National Park
An old Buffalo bull staring at us from behind a bush
With our white and black rhinos being so severely threatened by poachers it was heartening to have several good sightings of these prehistoric-looking animals at Marakele, and we realised again what a great debt of gratitude we owe the rangers who keep these animals safe on a daily basis.
White Rhino family in Marakele National Park
White Rhino family in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Enormous White Rhino bull walking straight at us (photo by Joubert)
Enormous White Rhino bull walking straight at us
Young White Rhino by its mother’s side (photo by Joubert)
White Rhino family in Marakele National Park
Big White Rhino Bull (photo by Joubert)
Big White Rhino Bull
An elephant roadblock is always a wonderful experience, but in Marakele, where the elephants are less used to having vehicles in their space, it can be downright exciting! It is important to give the grey giants lots of space and respect, so I am grateful that I can trust Joubert to get the shots while I keep the car pointing in the right direction!
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
Elephant claiming the right of way in Marakele National Park (photo by Joubert)
The grasslands of the central Kruger Park supports several very large herds of African Buffalo, as well as numerous old bulls relegated to solitary lives. Encounters with Buffaloes are always exciting, for even when they’re in the best of moods they still look at you as if you are overdue on money owed to them. Though this is mostly for show and probably as much to satisfy their curiosity as it is a threatening posture (we’ve rarely been charged by buffalo while in a vehicle), these powerful animals deserve their dangerous reputation and should be treated with respect.
Buffalo bull just finished his mud bath
Two old Buffalo bulls resting in the Sabie River on a hot day
Young Buffalo cow
Young Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo Bull among mopane shrubs
Buffalo Bull
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road
Buffalo cow
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road (photo by Joubert)
Herd of Buffalo crossing the road (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo Bull
Buffalo cow with oxpecker
Young Buffalo bull peering down his nose over the long grass
Buffalo cow
Buffalo cow
Pregnant Buffalo cow
Buffalo calf (photo by Joubert)
Young Buffalo peering at us over the long grass (photo by Joubert)
Big herd of Buffalo blocking the road between Olifants and Letaba
Big herd of Buffalo blocking the road between Olifants and Letaba
Big Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo Bull in his prime (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo cow chewing on fresh grass (photo by Joubert)
Sadly that horrible day arrived when we had to depart for home. Thankfully, as we were on our way to the Park’s gate this morning, Mountain Zebra National Park sent a delegation of buffalo to wish us well on our journey .
The pugnacious African buffalo, Africa’s only extant species of wild cattle, is a worthy member of the elite “Big-5” group of animals. Though they can appear very docile, buffalo are extremely dangerous, especially when threatened or wounded; they’ve even been known to circle back around hunters tracking them to launch unexpected attacks on their persecutors from behind.
You wouldn’t want to find yourself on foot in thick vegetation like this when buffalo are around…
These bulky animals weigh in between 500 and 900kg, with adult bulls being much larger than the cows.
Buffalo cow
Buffalo bull
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
Buffaloes always look ready for a fight!
Buffaloes always look ready for a fight!
One angry African Buffalo bull
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
Old buffalo bull
Buffalo, seemingly not enjoying the grass…
Buffalo bull
Buffalo
Buffalo horn
Buffalo with an itch
Buffalo
Buffalo cow
African buffalo (photo by Joubert)
Cantankerous Buffalo bull
Iconic Mokala: Buffalo, thorny savanna and low hills
African buffalo inhabit a wide range of habitats, ranging from open grassy plains to dense rainforest, their most important requirements being an ample supply of fresh grazing, regular access to drinking water, and cover in which to evade (or ambush) predators.
Buffalo Bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo bull in typical habitat
Powerful Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo herd on the plains north of the Sabie
Muddy Buffalo Cow (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo fight! (photo by Joubert)
Buffaloes drinking at Nsemani Dam
Buffaloes at a waterhole
Big herd of Buffalo at Nsemani Dam
Cantankerous old buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Two very intimidating Buffalo bulls
Buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Big old buffalo
Buffalo road block
African buffalo
Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffalo bull in Marakele National Park
Buffalo bull (photo by Joubert)
Buffaloes on the move
Portrait of a buffalo cow.
Resting buffaloes
Thirsty buffalo calf
This buffalo bull watched us walking nervously between our vehicle and the Island View hide
Buffalo calf
Buffalo family
Buffalo calf
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo cows and calf
Buffalo cow
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo are gregarious animals, congregating in herds that may number into the thousands. Encountering one of these huge herds is among Africa’s most memorable experiences.
Buffalo herd
Buffalo calf
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Buffalo herd
Herd enjoying a mud spa
Coming to water along the Tsendze
Buffalo
Buffalo
Buffaloes
Buffalo cow without her horns
Sleepy buffalo and red-billed oxpecker
Buffalo Quartet
African buffalo
Buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Buffaloes next to the Sabie River
Buffalo
African buffalo
African buffalo
A herd of African Buffaloes coming to drink
African Buffalo
Buffalo Bull
Buffalo Bull
Buffalo in the wetland
African Buffalo
African Buffalo
One buffalo from a herd several hundred strong
A Buffalo standing on a dam wall gives an unusual perspective
Buffalo taking a little longer to chew this prickly grasshead
Old Buffalo bull
Old bulls that cannot keep up with the breeding herds become loners or join “bachelor” groups. It is these old “dagga boys” that have the worse reputation of being overly aggressive and extremely dangerous, probably due to being easier targets for hunters and predators than members of the well-protected herds where there’s safety in numbers.
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Buffalo bull
Marching buffalo bulls
Buffalo facing the rising sun
Buffalo crossing the H4-1
Buffalo bull
Buffalo looking for fresh grass on the side of the road
Buffalo
Buffalo bull
Buffalo with malformed horns
Buffalo
Buffalo
What a buffalo looks like just before he charges!
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Bull
Mad old buffalo bull
Big old buffalo bull
Buffalo calf on the run (Photo by Joubert)
Buffalo cow (Photo by Joubert)
Calves are normally born during the rainy season, and can keep up with their maternal herds within hours of birth. Buffalo of all ages are a favourite prey of lions, and large herds are often followed by prides of lion that specialise in taking down these powerful animals, despite the good chance that they’ll pay with their lives for their boldness. Buffalo are also susceptible to a wide range of diseases and parasites, and have a natural life expectancy of between 15 and 30 years.
Young buffalo bull
Buffalo cow
Young buffalo bull
Young buffalo bull
Buffalo calf
Buffalo
Enjoying the first rays of sun on a cold morning
Irritated young buffalo
Trio of buffalo bulls
Buffalo roadblock
Buffalo roadblock
Buffalo in the rain
Buffalo near Mopani
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park
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