The Beauty of Nature at Monachira Camp in Moremi Game Reserve
By Heléne Ramackers
There is so much detail in nature that it’s absolutely astounding to sit a few meters away from a bull elephant consuming large parts of a tree. Or catching sight of a monarch butterfly feeding on the pollen of a flower. At Machaba Safaris’ Monachira Camp, the details of nature should never be overlooked or underestimated.
Just next to where we found two lions sleeping in the shade of a tree, striking monarch butterflies were busy feeding on pollen.
When the lion heard an unusual sound, he suddenly woke up from his slumber. What struck was the colour of his mane, going from auburn to dark. And of course, his gorgeous eyelashes.
An elephant was really enjoying the fruits of a marula tree, and a monarch butterfly landed on his mud-caked eyelashes.
The intricacies of an elephant trunk and tusks is something admirable. Did you know that elephants are either right-or-left tusked, similar to humans who are either right-or-left handed?
During the rainy season, the grass shoots up to cast cover for the animals who prefer not to be seen. Some grass has a wonderful fragrance, and are also used for medicinal purposes, such as the wild basil.
On the Monachira channel, a visit to the heronry is incomplete if you haven’t spotted the stunning water lilies. This one is a night lily, still open in the early morning light.
