A Stupendous Stay at Black Rhino Lodge - Pilanesberg

 Black Rhino Lodge in Pilanesberg, North West Province

I had a spectacular stay at the Black Rhino Game Lodge in the beginning of May 2019. The Lodge is situated in a Tamboti forest in a private reserve in Pilanesberg with superb isolated rooms each leading out onto a private patio.  My first night at the Lodge was indescribable!  Around eight pm on the first evening, lions started roaring in close proximity to our chalet which was situated quite close to the edge of the fence. The roaring echoed a bush brass band which was music to my 'city' ears and continued for most of the night.  My first game drive was the next morning at 6 am. Arriving at the lounge where we met for a cup of coffee before departing on our game drive, the rangers already knew about the lion pride that was just outside the camp during the night and soon we were on our way to go and find them.  It was a magnificent moment when the first lion came out of the bush crossing the road right in front of the landrover!   We were extremely fortunate on our game drives viewing lots of different game and birdlife.  Staying at the Black Rhino Game Lodge was indeed a taste of paradise!

A Young Male Lion on an early morning walk

Young Male Lion stalking his brother

Lions having a  Brotherly Encounter

A Pale Chanting Goshawk majestically perched

An Inquisitive Kudu Cow

A Rutting Impala Ram

A Hippo popping up for a breath of fresh air

A Young Elelphant stretching to reach for a sip of water

An Elephant 'Family' on an early morning stroll

Impalas at the 'Bush Spa'

Impalas at the 'Bush Spa' in the Kruger National Park

I visited the Kruger National Park in March 2019 during the rainy season. The tall grass and abundant foliage made it more difficult to spot game.  However, the vegetation added to the beauty of the environment and Impalas were enhanced by the tall grass.  I was very fortunate to witness how an entire herd of Impala was 'booked' in at a 'Bush Spa' for treatment by the Red-Billed Oxpecker 'beauticians'. The latter have a 'mutualism' relationship with Impalas.  Red-Billed Oxpeckers live off ticks, blood-sucking flies, fleas  and lice found on Impalas. They also eat earwax that is presumably high in energy.  Thus in my opinion 'Beauticians of the Bush' cleaning their different clients of all sorts of impurities.

Impala with Oxpecker 'treatment' at the 'Bush Spa'

Impala at the 'Bush Spa' having a 'facial'

Impala with a 'beauty assistant'

Impala with a 'personal beautician'

Impala having 'beauty treatment'

Impala ready for 'beauty treatment'