Black Rhino

Not actually black but a dark grey in colour the black rhino is an endangered species. It is rarely seen by tourists, it is difficult to find, mostly because there are so few of them and they rarely venture out into open grassland, preferring to spend their time on the edges of small dense wooded areas where they like to graze on low trees and shrubs. These areas are not really accessible to jeeps.

We were lucky enough to be out in the Mara when a call came over the radio that one had been spotted. We were not far away so our guide headed for the location reported. Because a sighting like this is so rare, every vehicle in the vicinity rushed to see it. We could see jeeps and mini buses from all directions, as many as 20 or 30 all converging on the same spot. Fortunately the rangers were already in position to keep some sort of order. The rhino doesn't have very good eyesight but they do have a strong sense of smell and if they get upset or feel threatened they can be aggressive. Restricting vehicles at such sightings is absolutely necessary for endangered species like the rhino even if its a little disappointing for the viewer.

I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time and to have an experienced guide who was able to make a good guess as to which direction the rhino was headed. Together with about 9 other jeeps we waited quietly as the rhino came into view, slowly walking across the open grassland right towards us. At one point it stopped and looked right in our direction. It was amazing to see this huge creature in real life and up close before it disappeared into an area of bush. It is definitely a sight I won't forget in a hurry and its nice to know that the black rhino are being brought back from the brink of extinction by the dedicated work of the rangers in stopping poachers who kill them for their horn.