Stopping in the early hours of the morning is vital, whether it’s for an impala or just to view the sunrise. Stopping can help you as a guide or a tracker as it is a chance when one can listen to the sounds of the bush without the drone of the vehicle’s engine. To listen for a lion roar or the territorial call of a leopard that you may be looking for.
In this case, we had stopped to watch a flock of at least 30 guinea fowls, as they fluffed up their feathers and chased each other in circles, we suddenly heard an impala snort out an alarm call.
“Listen! Listen!” Myself and tracker Advice said to the guests. Both in agreement with the direction, we think the alarm calls are coming from, we try and get there while the impalas are still alarming.
An impala ram standing upright alarmed at a predator walking past. It is a smart move to watch the threat move off rather than to run away and not know where it could be lurking, falling victim to a potential ambush.
Finding the impala we can see that he is standing tall, staring into a spot in the long grass. “Look there!” we shout. But wait it was not a leopard or a lion to which impala often alarm at. It was a Honey Badger!
Right from the beginning of their stay, the guests had asked to try and see a honey badger, knowing very well just how difficult it is to see one, we told them the reality of seeing one is low but of course we will try and look in the areas where we have seen them before. And there, to our shock on our guests’ last morning, was a honey badger, running with that angry shuffle as they do, right in front of us!
Trying to follow it at a close enough distance so we could see it but not too close that we would scare it away. After a short while, it then ran down into a burrow in a termite mound. We thought that was it! With there being clear signs that this burrow had been frequently used by something, maybe the honey badger.
We waited as still as a Heron fishing, not even blinking so it felt like. Then slowly a grey head began to peak out the top and stopped.
Then after what felt like a long minute, the eyes followed, then the whole face. We all looked at each other with our mouths wide open, we could not believe it.
After a while, the honey badger began to relax and rested on the side of the termite mound. Right next to us, out in the open!
Firstly, honey badgers are supposed to be nocturnal, so just seeing one during the day, no matter how fleeting the glimpse, is special enough. Knowing how skittish honey badgers are to then be able to sit with a relaxed one out in the open was such a unique privilege, and something not to take for granted. We have been going back to that termite mound ever since but we have not seen it… YET!
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Wonderful-very rare pics
What a fantastic story! I wish I had been there! Lucky you! I think they are such an impressive and smart animal! Fantastic photos!! Thank you for sharing.
WOW!! That is great! Honeybadgers are such funny, feisty animals……
I can’t believe those little critters are so aggressive and look so funny and cute at the same time! Thank you for sharing the pictures
A super rare diurnal spotting – at least you stayed in the vehicle
What a great sighting and wonderful last morning drive with your guests!
What a surprise this a.m. to see one of my favorite animals in your post! I guess that since “right from the beginning “ it was important to your guests to see a honey badger…he wanted to get a look @ them too! 😂
Wonderful photos!
Great sighting and pictures, thanks Jess.
Hi Jess, it’s not always possible to see a honey badger. I’m sure you all were very surprised to see one and especially on your guests last day of viewing. Badgers are very aggressive and yet very cute. Thanks for sharing your pictures and story.
Such a cute face for such an aggressive creature Jess..but I’m convinced he’s that badger who was kindly saved awhile ago by the Londo team, just coming out to show his thanks 😉☺️
Fantastic sighting Jess, and wonderful photos! Just proves, experience, patience and habitat knowledge can sometimes come to fruition. Lucky guests.
How very special! And how wonderful for your guests who had wanted to see a honeybadger.
Jess, What a lucky find! Your photos are amazing! Hoping you can find the Honey Badger at home again! Fingers crossed.
Hi Jess, how lucky you and your guests were; I’d love to see a honey badger but haven’t yet after (now) 11 visits. It was nice to see you at Founders last week.
How lucky you were! Thank you for the wonderful photos.