The Klipspringer

I WAS SEATED high on a mountain in the Waterberg, very out of breath after winding my way up via an access road and then cresting the ridge to get to the other side. The walk was a grand experience. First, a giraffe bull, unnoticed by me until he and I exchanged glances at about ten metres, took off up the mountain on the same road, his huge feet “clack-ka-clacking” over the concrete, laid down due to the steep incline. I let things settle for a few minutes and resumed my walk.

A short while later a warthog sow with three piglets came walking down the same road. I stood still and removed the small camera from my top pocket. They did not notice me until they were only a few metres away and then veered off the concrete and moved past me into the bush. As they drew parallel to me they took off at speed. More sightings followed –