KRGT WILDLIFE
Encounter Eland Burchell’s Zebra, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Eland, Nyala, Grey Rhebok, Blue Wildebeest, Red hartebeest, Blesbok, Duiker, Leopard, Caracal, Serval, Genet, Honeybadger, Porcupine, Bush Pig, Baboons and Monkeys on the farm. Many of the animals on the farm enjoy the warm north facing slopes. You will see herds of Zebras and Eland basking in the sun as they congregate on the slopes facing the dramatic mountains of the National Park. Further East open grasslands make it easy to spot Wildebeest, Red Hartebees and Nyala. You might notice a lone Red Hartebees running with the Wildebeest too as he has adopted the herd as his own…
There are smaller ravines and water holes where more shy animals might be spotted. More exciting is tracking animal spoor on foot – we have to date come across a trio of leopard tracks but have yet to catch sight of these shy animals. Deep ravines and kloofs create the perfect environment for Leopards, Honey-badgers and Klipspringers.
Some of the locals…
Savanna or chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) A number of troups use the farm as their main base varying between 20 – 40 per troop. Outside of the farm they are regularly hunted or even shot which makes them wary of people and visitors. That will change once they realise we’re not a threat anymore.
Vervet monkey (Chercopetecus aetiops) Common residents of river bordered forests.
Plains zebra (Equus burchellii) They are the only zebra species with a brown or shadow stripe overlaid on the white stripes. Herds range from 4-6 with a stallion, mare and foals. We have a few herds, the largest has a stallion with a harem of 10.
Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) Nocturnal, usually single boars or small family groups. Occur in most of the forested kloofs.
Common or cape eland (Tragelapus oryx) Largest living antelope. Bulls can weigh up to 1000kg with a large pendulous dewlap and course dark brown hair on the forehead and the forequarters turning blue – grey with age. Some bachelor groups of three to four bulls occur as well as small breeding groups of up to ten animals. Sometimes larger numbers of 50 or more exist if a very dominant bull reins. They are both browsers and grasers.
Nyala (Tragelapus angasi) The bulls have a different colours to females, namely slate grey with narrow vertical stripes with the lower legs rufous to yellow-brown. The females are called ewes as they are much smaller then the bulls with a chestnut colour and more vertical white stripes. Only the males have long spiraled horns which are tipped with whitish-yellow.
Bushbuck (Tragelapus scriptus) This very shy mainly nocturnal species occurs all over the farm. They are mainly single but eves and their fawn are sometimes seen together.
Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) They are large and robust with coarse and shaggy coats. Overall body colour is usually grey-brown with a broad white ring that encircles the rump. Only the bulls carry the long, heavily ridged, forward-swept horns. Younger bulls form small bachelor groups. They are very seldom seen during the day but prefer reed beds or woodland. Open grassland adjacent to cover is usually utilized for grazing.
Grey Rhebuck (Pelea capreolus) They are gracefully built with a thick, wooly , grey coat. Underside of the tail is white, which is very conspicuous when the animal runs away. Rams have thin, almost straight horns. They prefer stoney or hilly mountainous ground.
Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus busalphus) They are very nimble and are of the fastest runners. Both sexes carry horns, but those of the cows are more slender. They are generally fawn to golden brown, darker from the shoulders and down the back with a pale rump patch. Their calves are a uniform sandy-fawn colour.
Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas) They show a broken facial blasé that differentiates them from the Bontebok. A few small herds occur mostly on the northern slopes on the farm.
Blue Wildebeest or brindled gnu (Connochaetus taurinus) They have slightly built hindquarters but are more robust at the shoulders and chest. Overall colour dark grey with slightly darker vertical on neck and chest. Both sexes have horns,buffalo like but much lighter. Tail is black and horse like. Solitary outcast bulls are sometimes seen hanging out with other species.
Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) Very seldom seen, only males have horns. Colour normally rufous-fawn with clean white underparts.
Cape Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) Small dear found mainly in fynbos. Rufous-brown upperparts with white flecking, only male have horns
Common Grey Duiker (Silvicarpa grimmia) Light grey colour. Only males have horns. Crest of long hair on top of head, often black facial blasé.
Cape Clawless Otter ( Aonyx capensis ) often spoor or crab remains are seen along the Keurbooms River
Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) Thickset and stocky, with short legs and a short bushy tail. This is a ferocious animal - very tough and aggressive. Upperparts silvery-grey, underparts and legs black. Mainly nocturnal but also seen late afternoon.
Leopard (Panthera pardus) Leopard and cub tracks often found leading to and from the river.
African Wild Cat (Felis silvestris) Appearance and form similar to domestic cat but it is generally longer in the leg and larger. The diagnostic feature is reddish hair on the back of the ears. Solitary and mainly nocturnal and crepuscular.
Caracal (Caracal caracal) Hindquarters slightly higher than shoulders, overall reddish-fawn colour, short unmarked tail with pointed black backed ears with longish dark tufted tips.