“Is it going to rain?”

This is a question that we often get asked by guests before departing on our afternoon game drive when there are ominous, dark clouds looming on the horizon. I’m no meteorologist and so I usually rely on my three weather apps to determine what the forecast is for every day. Should these weather apps predict a high chance of rain, I explain my findings to the guests which are usually followed by,

“Is there still a chance of seeing animals in the rain?”

Now as we know, there is always a chance of seeing various animals while on a game drive no matter what. I have however found that, depending on the imminent weather conditions, the likelihood of seeing some species of game is higher (or lower) than others. Let me explain what I have both observed and researched…

Guests enjoy a later afternoon drink whilst watching the cloud formations of a frontal system build on the horizon. It’s these types of clouds that usually initiate the above questions

The weather forecasts provided by these apps that I have already mentioned are usually the result of analysing atmospheric pressure and are accurate roughly 50%-75% of the time. Analysing the air pressure allows meteorologists to predict the weather 12 to 24 hours in advance. Studies have found that animals can too predict the weather to a certain extent, most likely by being able to sense the atmospheric pressure (or change thereof).

First things first, atmospheric (barometric) pressure can be defined as the amount of downward force that the atmosphere exerts within a specific air column. The air pressure before and after a frontal system (storm) differs with low pressure preceding and leading up to a rain storm and high pressure proceeding it.

Low atmospheric pressure usually brings with it unstable weather conditions such as clouds, wind and rain. Here, lighting and rain approach the reserve fairly rapidly and bring relief to some of the emptier water holes.

There is often a hive of animal activity prior to a storm coming. Giraffes and other herbivores are out feeding and drinking, predators such as lions and leopards actively hunting (even if they have recently fed), and birds fly about looking for food before seeking out cover. These animals are most likely able to sense the drop in barometric pressure and are actively preparing for a period of bad weather where moving about may not be as easy.

Predators are able to use their sense of smell more effectively during periods of low atmospheric pressure as the scent of potential food travels further in these conditions and lasts longer by hugging the ground as the pressure continues to drop. These predators, as well as many other species (humans included), may also be able to smell rain long before it has arrived.

A giraffe takes a short break from feeding on a tasty Vachellia (acacia) tree with ominous clouds building in the background

Then comes the rain. Many animals choose to seek refuge during a big downpour and hunker down under the cover of vegetation. Rainy, windy conditions do however favour predators when hunting as their scent is masked and it is harder for prey species to hear them as the sound of the raindrops falling muffles out the sound of their approach. And so if they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to hunt prior to the rain, they may very well try again during the storm. One of my favourite animals to see during rain are tortoises moving about frantically (well – as frantically as a tortoise can move…) in search of fresh puddles of water from which to drink.

A leopard tortoise visiting one of the many puddles of water after a big downpour of rain the night before.

My favourite scenario is after the rain has come. I feel like the jubilation and relief amongst many of the animals are tangible. Zebra foals frolicking about, birds bathing in rainwater puddles and warthogs covering themselves in the mud are just a few examples of what you can see the morning after a night of rain.

Insects are abundant after rain and there will often be emergences of flying termite alates that create a hive of activity among insect-eating birds. The rain would also have washed away the scent of territorial animals and so these species, such as leopards, lions and rhinos are often on a mission to re-establish their claim on their territory.

The Nweti Male rubs his head and neck on a fallen marula tree after a rain storm in order to ensure his territory is advertised to all other leopards in the area.

All of the above scenarios are theoretically what we are most likely to see playing out in the various weather conditions however what I have described doesn’t always apply exactly as I have explained. It is merely what we tend to observe. Now that Summer is upon us and rain is on the horizon (literally), I hope that you have a slightly better idea of what to expect before, during and after a storm!