The Siduli Hide Victoria falls
An African Wildlife Experience
Nothing quite prepares you for your first sight of giraffes in the wild. As a zookeeper, I had seen them up close many times, but seeing them in their natural environment is different. We are inside the Siduli Hide at the waterhole below the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. My guide from Discover Safaris quietly taps my shoulder and points out the entrance door behind us. As I turn to look, I catch sight of a long neck and large soulful eyes surveying our presence. The desire to drink has brought the giraffe to the waterhole, but the caution in his behaviour is immediately apparent. There is not the same saunter that you see in Zoo animals. After all, this is Africa, and danger is part of everyday life.
Birds and Crocodiles from Inside the Siduli Hide
From inside the hide, I can see Nile crocodiles less than ten metres away. They wait, barely moving as helmeted guineafowl scratch around in the dry earth around the waterhole. A grey heron preens its plumage, seemingly oblivious to the crocodiles and a yellow-billed stork in the water practices some athletic fishing manoeuvres. Suddenly, a giant kingfisher swoops into the water and catches a fish but loses its meal to a juvenile crocodile that lunges suddenly from the waterhole. Sometimes referred to as “undertaker birds”, groups of marabou storks stand around as if waiting for their next client.
The giraffe that was behind us now appears at the front of the hide. Although still partially obscured by trees and vegetation, we can now see that the giraffe is not alone. My guide tells me that something is spooking them; they are more nervous than they should be. The anticipation of what that might be raising my adrenaline level a notch!
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DIANA ANDERSEN
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Top left – Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis)
Top right – Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
Bottom left – Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
Middle right – Giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)
Bottom left – Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
An Encounter with Elephants
In an instant, the giraffes receded into the bush and vanished. My guide, Cleaver, whispers to me that he thinks he can hear elephants. Surely not, I can’t hear anything but birds! To my amazement, with little sound, a fast striding elephant appears, pausing momentarily to look straight at the hide entrance. It is evident that while the hide offers protection, the approaching animal is immediately aware of our presence. She flaps her ears, and her head more than fills my camera viewfinder. It is time to change cameras for a shorter lens! More elephants stride in raising dust clouds as they head to the waterhole to drink.
The group lowers their trunks in unison and drinks their fill before amusing themselves by squirting water and raising more dust. For the first time, the crocodiles move a little to avoid the large lumbering feet.
Giraffe Viewing from the Siduli Hide
Curious about our presence, the group gradually wanders closer to the hide, close enough for me to feel the need to back away from the viewing slot to avoid curious trunks. As quickly as they appeared, the group was gone again. As an animal photographer, the day could not have gotten any better, but as I turned my attention back to the birds, my guide again indicated that I should look in the direction the elephants had gone. With the departure of the elephants, the group of southern giraffe had returned.
Still cautious, they gradually emerged from the bush and headed for the water. A large male in front was the first to drink with the other females and a younger animal queuing behind. Such large, majestic animals their long strides give the illusion of movement in slow motion. With the failing light and the call of the grey go-away bird, it is time for us to go.
Elephants in front of the Siduli Hide at Victoria Falls.
Giraffes queuing to drink at the waterhole.
Drought and Zimbabwe
The elephants and giraffes visiting the waterhole have come from the adjoining Zambezi National Park, a 56,000-hectare area bounded by the Zambezi River. On the walk back to our vehicle, I question my guide about the dry conditions of the surrounding environment. Despite the area having a striking beauty, the bush seems devoid of moisture, and much of the vegetation appears dead, leaving me to wonder how the animals find food. He assures me that when the rain comes, the trees will sprout again, but for Zimbabwe and much of the southern African region, the rainy season is becoming much less reliable.
Zimbabwe has only had one substantial rainy season in the past five years. Lack of water and vegetation is putting pressure on wildlife and is increasing the incidence of human/wildlife conflict as desperate animals cross into farming areas in search of food and water. Climate change is a harsh reality in this region that you can’t deny.
Waterholes and Wildlife
The Impact of Global Warming on African Wildlife
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, giraffe numbers have declined by 30% in the past three decades. Elephant numbers are still falling at an unsustainable rate due to the illegal ivory trade. There is a great deal of conservation work being undertaken in Africa to support species under threat. Still, the impact of global warming and climate change is an issue that must be engaged on a global and individual basis. The prospect of future generations being unable to experience wildlife in natural habitats would be a tragedy.
From the balcony of my room the following morning, I can see impala, greater kudu, bushbuck, and warthog visiting the waterhole to drink. Although I am much further from the activity at the waterhole, the view is nonetheless mesmerizing. I felt both lucky and privileged to have been able to glimpse the daily life of these animals so intimately. I would thoroughly recommend visitors to the lodge visit the Siduli Hide, Victoria Falls.
Species Seen from the Siduli Hide Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
I was lucky enough to see a variety of animals at the waterhole. I am sure it was only a small portion of the wildlife that potentially visits. Below is the list that will correctly identify the animals mentioned and included in the photos.
Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)
Southern Giraffe (G. g. giraffa)
African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana)
Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima)
Marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis)
Grey Go-Away Bird (Corythaixoides concolor)
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