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All too often I’ve seen people rushing through the Park to get a glimpse of the Lions at a kill, or a herd of Elephant at a waterhole. Sure those are great sightings, but they’re not the only things ‘out there’. I really enjoy taking a simple walk through the areas near the bush camp, or a stroll along a river looking for little insects busily going about their daily routines. You’ll be amazed at what goes on closer to the ground.

Have you ever tried looking for holes in trees to see what birds are nesting in them? Its like a treasure hunt. Even better, try sitting in one spot for half an hour and see who comes walking by. A little mongoose, or perhaps a rock agama relaxed enough to re-emerge from his hiding place to once again bask in the morning sun.

I remember sitting on a rock on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town some years ago. I was absolutely silent. Almost merging with the landscape around me. Next thing I almost jumped out of my skin. A bird had landed on a branch very near to me and began calling. It was that close to me. I quickly composed myself and continued to enjoy the bird song. Then I spotted a large grey mongoose doing the morning foraging rounds. He was totally unaware of my presence and walked right past me (I was on a rock so my wind or location did not expose me to his constant safety checks). I could see every detail of this mammal as it cruised past.

Have you ever seen a Spider Wasp taking on a spider – it’s quite a duel. But in order to witness this, one needs to listen for that distinct loud drone of the wasp as it flies about probing holes for spiders. Follow it around and you’re eventually going to have front row seats to a spectacular gladiator duel. The wasp will generally not even bother with your presence once engaged with a spider – but please do not interfere with either insect (leave your emotions at home).

How about trying to find out what insect is making that peculiar noise – I once did this with a bladder grasshopper. It sounded like a frog, but revealed itself to be a big green grasshopper!

I generally try to look out for that incredible insect the Millipede or Shongalolo – a black cylindrical plated insect with many legs, sometimes seen as red legs. And in Africa these guys grow to lengths of 10 or 15 cm long. They are great for handling (very carefully) and always feel ticklish when walking along your arm. Wash hands after handling, as they might discard a parcel! Also these insects are known to have traces of Cyanide in their system, so are not very edible to birds. Although certain mammals will eat them.

Some years back a group of us were driving along a road in the Waterberg region of South Africa when we stopped the car. In front of us was what appeared to be a snake in the road. On closer inspection we noticed it was in fact a column of silky worms. They were using an ingenius method to cross over an open expanse. By linking to each other using silk, these insects created the impression from above that they were one organism. More specifically, a snake. And birds don’t generally catch snakes. By linking together these caterpillars had devised a way to not be picked up by a hungry bird. Clever stuff that. We of course waited until the column had crossed the road.

Have you ever tried making friends with a lizard? Sit still near a rock were you know a lizard hangs out. And just wait until he re-emerges. Eventually the lizard should relax enough to let you get some good pictures. Or you can just sit next to him and enjoy the morning sun as well!

The more we can learn to consider listening, and sitting quietly, the greater our chances of seeing so much more activity whilst out in nature. Even with the big things. Too often people spend far too little time just observing animal behaviour in order to learn about their personalities. You’d be surprised to know that lions are not just cold-blooded killers, but have little character traits which when one can spend time just observing, are soon revealed, and then the game viewing takes on a whole new dimension. And that goes for all the creatures ‘out there’.