One afternoon we headed into the open grasslands, not looking for anything in particular, but rather to enjoy the open savanna landscape and the general game that thrives in these areas. Moreover, the warm clear winter’s day was sure to make for an incredible and breathtaking sunset which we were looking forward to watching.
The distant Drakensberg mountains, backlit by the burnt orange, deep red and yellow hues from the sun, approaching the end of yet another incredible day. We found an amazing spot to enjoy our sundowners alongside a lovely waterhole.
A white rhino silhouetted by the setting sun in the background.
Just as the sun began to dim and the golden light started to fade, we heard a quiet rustle of leaves nearby, only to watch the faint silhouetted shadows of two rhinos wander past us as they too were on their way to the waterhole for an evening drink.
With it being winter and us in the open grasslands, the temperature dropped quickly. After watching the rhino disappear into the distance we climbed into the vehicle and began to meander our way back towards camp. There was a sudden flicker of the spotlight as Lucky signalled for me to stop. Still not sure of what he had seen, we looked closer and there, perched on the edge of a branch, Lucky had found a chameleon.
A flap-necked chameleon clinging onto a single branch camouflaged by appearing to look like the leaves just ahead of him- awaiting the arrival of unsuspecting insects.
As we angled the light in different directions so all the guests could see it, I noticed a flicker of reflections beyond the chameleon. I was unsure of what it could be until we got a slightly better look. Two eyes facing forwards eclipsed by the tree with the chameleon. A guest piped up,
“Kirsten, what is that?”
I held my breathe as I knew what I had hoped it was, but I didn’t want to utter the words until I knew for sure.
“I know what I think it is, but I don’t want to say until I’m sure.”
Serval peering through the long grass
As I started to reverse everything seemed to point to what I thought it was and I mentally checked my own criteria for identification:
- Habitat – yes, we were in the open grasslands
- Time of day- perfect, it was dusk
- Size – just above the long grass and
- Eyes – two, quite close together facing forwards
Lucky and I seemed to be thinking the same thing. As we edged back he immediately tried to see around the bush that concealed this animal from us.
“Kirsten what do you think it is?”
I went with the approach of lowering everyone’s expectations as I knew this animal was so ridiculously rare to see and started with something general:
“It’s a small cat… something like a genet, but a bit bigger.”
There in the hue of Lucky’s spotlight merely metres from us was exactly what I had hoped… a SERVAL. Grabbing Lucky’s arm I exclaimed,
“Lucks, its a SERVAL!”
Lucky in his ever so calm and collected manner, with a huge smile on his face replied,
“Yes, it’s a serval.”
In the excitement of this sighting, I grabbed my camera to take a photo but had completely the wrong settings for low light photography. This was the result, the unintentional motion blur which in some way captures the excitement of the sighting.
The serval moved purposefully and slowly towards another bush. This was unexpected for me as they are usually very shy and secretive animals. As it stood in the open we could see its distinctive long legs and characteristic striking markings that start from their prominent ears and run down their long slender necks to their shoulders.
A serval sits in a clearing at night, very relaxed in the spotlight.
Their prominent ears play a vital role in their specialised skill of hunting rats, mice, rodents, and birds that live in the long grass as they act as a dish to capture any faint sign of the movements of potential prey. Their long legs offer them a vantage point to gaze over the long grass which conceals the rest of their body. We managed to follow it briefly as it moved from bush to bush stalking each with the hope of some unsuspecting prey awaiting. Unfortunately, as the serval moved deeper into the bush the rocky terrain proved difficult for us to follow- especially at night. We also didn’t want to disturb his night of hunting.
A relaxed serval stands in a clearing at night
To try and bring you along, I wanted to share a short clip of the sighting that night. Unfortunately, the rocks didn’t allow us to move around but it was a great opportunity to see the distinctive markings run down its neck and observe this incredible cat for a short while. This reminds me that nature always has a plan. And that not looking for anything in particular often allows for the wilderness to creatively provide something delightful instead.
INSERT VIDEO HERE
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What a fantastic sighting Kirst! I can imagine how excited everyone was to see this small, skitterish serval SS they are almost impossible to find- certainly more so than leopards. I’ve seen one once in Botswana, late afternoon for perhaps 20 seconds, not long enough to get a photo of it in the tall grass. They are so sleek and possess such beautiful head markings. I agree with you about the blurred photo- it shows excitement! I’m not sure what happened with your video clip, it wasn’t in your blog. Oops! Studio production error…..
They really are quite illusive, definitely excitement and a bit of motion too… All updated thank you, Denise!
Great sighting, very rare. Thanks Kirst.
Wot, no caracal? I am waiting , and one day …
My guess is that’s where you will find one , away from the big cats
Hi Ian, hopefully, we can see a caracal one day too! Exactly, away from the bigger cats is the most likely place to find them… The long grass unfortunately doesn’t help with trying to find them.
Wow! You have had your share of exciting sightings of late….scaled mammals and Serval! Hang on to Lucky as he is your charm! Cheers, Linda
Indeed Linda! We have been so fortunate it is incredible!
Kirst, yet another bucket list ticked..you certainly spotted a winner that time. How thrilling for both you, Lucky (very apt name! And your guests. 🙏👌❤️. I have never seen one so was thrilled to enjoy this thanks.
Hi Cally, luck was certainly on our side!
Lovely sighting! And indeed, no video there…….
Thank you for letting us know. We have sorted that out.
Hi Kirst! Small cats are the best view to me! I understand your excitement, it is so hard to spot a European wildcat where I live, much harder than larger predators. Do you have any more clue, is it a male or a female? I’m so glad you posted it! Thank you!
Hi Francesca, I have no idea if it is male or female I was so caught up in the excitement of seeing a serval!
The difference between a male and female is quite minor with males being about 2kg heavier than a female. They are solitary and only associate for mating purposes. If I am fortunate enough to see another serval I will try and have a closer look.
What a thrilling sighting, in part because it was so unexpected! I’ve seen a serval twice, both times in Tanzania, and each time wished she’d stayed around longer for me to admire – just like this one! Lucky you!
Thank Mary Beth, it was amazing indeed! Hopefully the next one you see will stick around a little bit longer!
Wonderful post, and beautifully written! Thanks.
Loved Pete’s photos, and the sunset silhouettes. Whenever I read a post like this it makes me head over to my ID Photo collections on zooiverse to remind myself of some of the amazing camera captures I have saved (24 servals). I can only imagine the excitement to see one live!
Still no video in the post, but I will check back…
That is amazing Marcia! I hope one day to get a steady capture! Hope you managed to see the video.
I did 💗, so nice!
Servals are beautiful elusive clever cats of the bush!
Great that you were so lucky as to discover a serval. It’s so rare that one can see such an animal.
What a stunning sighting of the Serval. Very long legs to pound on the rodents and prey. Very exciting and I’m sure your guests enjoyed the sighting of the serval as well. Something totally different, well done Kirst and Lucky.
Thank you Valmai
Kitst, lucky you, a serval is a great find! Lightroom can probably really fix that last photo. There is much more information in those dark pixels than you realize!!!
Hi Bob and Lucie, thank you so much! Thankfully dark than overexposed!
Nice blog Kirst and the sighting of the serval was just the icing on the cake for you all. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you Leonie!
What a fantastic site to see! Servals are so beautiful! What a wonderful evening that would’ve been, the chameleon and then the serval!
Was a very unexpected sighting which made it wonderful indeed!
I don’t think I have ever seen one in all our times at Londolozi! Thank you Vi toria
Hopefully someday Victoria!