Kgalagadi: The Rare Herbivores

Now I feel all guilty.  As if big cats are the only reason to go on safari.  Which, of course, not.  Not!  But we really did have amazing big cat sightings ... Anyhoo, the "other" extra-special sightings we had were what I'm going to call the "rare" herbivores.

Specifically, kudu and eland.  Both are rarely seen in the Kgalagadi.  But apparently drought in Botswana has made them migrate west into the South African side of the park.  They are huge, magnificent animals and we were very fortunate to have glimpsed them.

First there was a solitary male, very close to Twee Rivieren, which -- if you know the park -- is well South of where you would ever look for kudu:

Later there was another bachelor male:

And then a huge herd of eland:

These photos don't do it justice, there were at least a hundred!

And finally, a family group of kudu.  Including a kudu baby!

Stunning, isn't he?