safarigeek

Rain on the way

In the bush people start to go a little crazy at this end of the year, particularly if the rain’s late arriving. I can remember conversations being mostly – and longingly – about the advent of rain, and eyes being fixed on the distant horizon, looking for that first build-up of cloud.

And then one day, just when you think it can’t get any drier, the whole place changes over night. Dusty brown turns to vibrant green and the whole animal kingdom breathes a sigh of relief. If you haven’t experienced Africa between November and May, then you have a treat in store.

Of course, while the Serengeti migration is in full swing, with hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebra and gazelles heading into the southern plains of the Serengeti, many other places won’t have the sheer volumes of game that you’ll find in the dry season.

But the game is still there, and if you’re interested in a bit more than simply numbers, this time of year can be magical. Look out for newly hatched crocodiles, miniature and perfect in every detail, organic “Christmas trees” formed by clusters of fireflies under the branches of certain bushes at dusk and insect life that looks like it came straight from the pages of Edward Lear.