Having received weather reports from various news stations and channels, we prepared ourselves for Cyclone Eloise. A long story short after three days of continuous rain, we clocked up over 150mm. Other than the obvious benefit of the rain greening and thickening up the bush even further, an amount of water like this has benefitted the land in many different ways.
Cyclone Eloise arrived on Saturday the 23rd of January 2021. Unlike many other areas throughout the east cost of South Africa and Mozambique, we were lucky enough not to receive any damage. We just received a few days of heavy showers, like the one these giraffes found themselves in.
The Sand River came down in flood. Extreme amounts of water flowing like this allows the river to clean itself out of debris and stagnant water, fill empty pools and carry nutrients that will be absorbed by the riparian vegetation.
After the flood it doesn’t take long for the river to drop back to a beautiful depth to allow for picturesque views like this.
At the moment, everywhere you drive on the reserve has water available for the plants and wildlife. The water table is extremely high, meaning that there is a lot stored just beneath the surface allowing roots of plants, trees and grass to access moisture for months to come.
It’s a very similar case for the animals. Every waterhole/pan is full. This plays an important role in ensuring animals remain wide spread throughout the reserve. Wildlife will now not be forced to congregate around the usual water sources that form their lifelines during the dry season. Congregations of large herbivores in particular around these around water sources can lead to serious impact on the vegetation; trees push down by elephants and overgrazed soils can result, increasing erosion and having long-term impact.
Hippos will enjoy the availability of plenty of water.
The rangers at Londolozi get extremely excited for a rare occasion like this. We take joy in viewing formerly dry river beds and drainage lines now flowing with fresh rain water. The Manyelethi river in the northern parts of Londolozi only ever flows at the height of the rainy season during the wettest years, and although it’s impressively beautiful driving on the banks of the dry river with giant granite rocks catching your view, there’s something even more thrilling now watching a clear stream of water flow amongst the dark boulders.
Venturing off the track can take you to some stunning locations on Londolozi. In the Manyelethi River, a pool of water dotted with granite boulders is arguably one of the most picturesque spots on the reserve.
With the bush being as beautiful as it is at moment and the elephants and rhinos splashed with mud, it’s not just the visuals that are pleasing our senses.
It’s the symphony of breeding frogs, calling birds and the tranquility of the flowing streams that’s drawing us to be out there for every minute we can.
Thank you for the lovely blog! Water is life…
We are so grateful for the wonderful rain this season. The dams are full or filling up. It is amazing after a few years of low rainfall.
In normal times I would feel sorry for the guests , hopefully normal times will be back
We have visited several times–only in winter, The images are starkly different.
This makes me so happy to see the rains and the effect it has and will have for months to come. Just beautiful. Thank you for the pictures. Hope to see more of the wonderful effects of this rain. Good to know there was no damage.
Dan, I loved all the stories, especially Rhino🤗
How beautiful the photos of the river are! It s really wonderful that you got so much rainfall and that so much water is now stored in the underground and makes everyone happy.
The photo of the Sand River apres flood is magnificent.
Londolozi looks so good after all the rain. The bush is so lush and the plants, trees and all the animals will benefit from it. So good to see the river flowing and pools full of water.
It’s a long time since I’ve been to Londolozi in the wet season and it certainly looks beautiful. I’m sure crossing the Sand River is an interesting experience right now – is the pink pouch still in play and if so, who is the current holder?
It is so awesome to see how water can give new “life” to the bush. Rivers full of water is so beautiful to see, and I am so happy that the Kruger is nice and green.
Great post Dan, and really lovely photos!
Blessed by the rains….So pleased it didn’t cause any distraction. Beautiful photos Dan, wish we were there to share in the sights and sounds 🙏
It’s a wonderful blog Dan and so nice to see so much green foliage and pools of water, in addition to the free flowing river. Enjoy while it lasts.
I’m just catching up on the blog – but so great that you got the rains! It’s been so dry years past and this is a blessing!