I know of rangers who have spent years guiding in the wilderness aching to see those sightings that are unique, amazing and extremely rare. What is however, so often the case for these men and women is to come home to stories of guests who have encountered these incredible sightings right on their doorstep.
Two of our guests were strolling along the walkway between Granite and Varty camp when they saw a female bushbuck staring intently at the slated bridge. The bushbuck was distressed and decidedly nervous about something. On closer inspection, the scaled patterns from the python twitched, breaking its camouflage and revealing the massive bulbous mass ingested. Much to the distress of the mother, the python had caught and eaten an entire baby bushbuck.
The full length of the python became evident once it began to move from underneath the bridge and towards the denser grass. Almost too bloated to move and too fat to function, the python labored forward in calculated inches until its tail finally disappeared into the greenery. It would not have to eat for a long time.
I know of people who have no desire to witness this striking event in nature, however I know of alot more who would treasure a wilderness memory such as this….I am one of them. Herein lies the precise reason why we all find our way back into the African wilderness time and again. Traveling from overseas destinations, sacrificing time and expenses, moving out of our comfort zones to have another go at seeing what nature will share with us. We wait patiently for the true course of events to unfold in her interesting, beautiful, tragic and established way, ever hopeful that this time we will be luckier than the last.
Thanks to George Bakalis & Helia Golbazi for the use of their photographs and encounter.
Witnessed and Photographed by: George Bakalis & Helia Golbazi
Written by: Rich Laburn
I’m surprised it can eat so much at one time. Won’t it choke??? And how do its jaws open wide enough. Mean to eat a baby though… But thats nature for you.
check this out
This picture My husband (george)& I had taken it in londolozi,even we couldnot believe it ,this was unbelievable.We were very lucky!!!
Thanks again for the use of it, it was an incredible sighting and very interesting encounter. Fantastically lucky.