Camp Kudu

 

Vikki isn’t the only kudu that lives at Loisaba. The wildest ones live on the far reaches of the conservancy where it borders onto Suyian Conservancy land roaming around the hills and valleys.

However, there is a little group of them, courted by a large male, that have discovered the comfort and protection of living inside the security fencing at Loisaba Tented Lodge, only venturing out during the day and going as far as White Rock and Spring Dam.

This family of two females and their calves delight the guests by sitting amongst the luxury tents and in the ornamental gardens, occasionally tip-tapping across the decking on their tiny, cloven hooves. They are the picture of elegance, poised and dainty although their slender necks appear to have been superimposed on their muscular bodies.

 

The young male is starting to grow his horns and will eventually be ousted from the herd but for the moment he is beguiling with his big eyes and shiny coat. Outside the solitary, mature male is resplendent with his enormous curled horns. He rarely ventures into the camp unless it is extremely quiet.

These kudu are carrying on a fine tradition of kudu living close to the lodges. In 2009, when the old lodge still existed, the ancestors of these kudu wandered quite happily around the swimming pool and were tolerated, just tolerated by the old gardener. They like to think that they are being helpful!