SANParks.org Forums

Black rhino was seen on the entangling gravel roads just south of Pkop on friday(11/11/2005) last week.

Hmm this is interesting... i know black rhino also love acacia thickets.
I know some stunning stands of Tamboti's, but for the life of me can't tell the exact positions now
We love stopping at them and listening to the seeds popping.
I know on some gravel loops turning out of H4-1 (part from Skukuza to higwater brigde), then from Croc bridge up to Lower-Sabie H4-2, and then also on the H1-2 just before Tshokwane.

the best areas of tamboti thickets are along the Nwaswitshaka River, Nwatimhiri river and the croc bridge road. These are also the best spots to see black rhino.
The only one I have seen was outside lowersabie at the low level bridge about 5 years back

Tankwa Karoo National Park is believed to have the highest concentration of Black Rhino for any SANpark.

Which one is that, j-ms?

Sorry, that was in reply to Berts note.

Tanqua Karoo NP.

i was on the napi trail from the 30okt to the 2 nov. we had 2 black rhino sightings. the first was a lone male i think. on the koppie were we had our beakfast snacks.

And the second was on the tuesday next to the road tar road heading to pretoriukop. have a pic of the second rhino but it is not very clear was very late afternoon so the light was very bad.

I have still not seen a black rhino in Kruger, and tend to see many in other parks (North-west, and Kzn), and think with Sanparks best may be Addo or even that Augrabies section.

In Kruger I would imagine that that Delagoa thicket habitat has to be the best habitat, and have heard of many sightings in L-Sabie/Croc bridge section (as mentioned too, F-tree). I have heard too that P/kop is good for them, as the aerial capture teams suggest them there & sightings by people, and trailists. I find it strange as that area is not Acacia dominated but by broadleaved woodland instead. I dont know why.

The tamboti is a relative of the Euphorbia and there is some information I have heard somewhere that the latex of Euphorbiacea family is of interest to black rhinos - heard this some time back and cant elaborate much further on the facts than this - it did allude to that substance enhancing health of the species, in particular with regard reproduction.

Anyways, ..that aside I still havent seen a black rhino in park..

regards,
w

I have had 3 sightings of black rhino in kruger .
A pair along the crocodile river about 4km from malelane gate .
1 drinking at jock waterhole .
1 along the sweni road .

1 sighting in mountain zebra park , along the road a few km after the entrance gate .

I think your best bet for a sighting is early morning or late afternoon at a waterhole in dry times in areas where they are plentifull.

We were told by the ranger on a night drive, that black rhino
really enjoy eating the Euphorbias and if they find one that has fallen over it is like a banquet to them.

They also fancy to eat what looks like burnt trees (especially mopani) that have been scorched in veld fires , but are actually eating the crystallised sap , a sort of bush caramel .

Other animals also like to eat this , so if you have ever wondered what on earth they are eating in a burnt veld , its actually there local sweet shop

Saw a single black rhino on the H3 between Renosterpan & Malelane gate in 1998. It was badly gored in the side and bleeding freely.

Black rhino sightings in the KNP since 1990 (about 45 visits):

1. H1-4, just south of Ngotso Noord, crossed road right in front of vehicle, heading SW. Had just been drinking, lips still wet.

2. H4-1, between tar road and Lower Sabie staff village. (amusingly, staff were engaged in a soccer match, which could clearly be heard. When it was kicked high enough, the football could be seen as well. The rhino seemed completely oblivious to the disturbance).

3. S65, on banks of N'waswitshaka (two). Road closed at the time due to flood damage to causeway.

4. S34, heading S toward Munywini River.

5. H7, west of Nsemani. moving SW, obviously intent on crossing road. Had most likely been drinking at Nsemani trough (not dam).

6. H10, on lowers slopes of Nkumbe, north of S128 (Pambane) T-junction. Cow and calf in recently burnt veld, overcast and very windy morning.

7. Mtomeni River, Jock concession (walk).

The sightings were in Olifants Rugged Veld (#1), Knob Thorn Savannah (2), Mixed Combretum Woodlands (3 & 7), Delagoa Thorn Thickets (4 & 5) and Lebombo Mountain Bushveld (6). Quite a diversity of habitats.

I get the distinct impression that black rhino in the KNP avoid roads during daylight hours. Most of my sightings have been of animals that were about to cross, crossing, or just had crossed the road and probably got their timing wrong. This is in stark contrast to Nairobi National Park, where I once found four sleeping in a heap right in the middle of the road.

Best places to see black rhino (in my personal experience):

- Nairobi National Park (have seen 13 in one day).

- Ngorongoro Crater (have seen four together, in the company of 1 male lion, 34 spotted hyaenas, too many buffalo to count and several bull elephants).

- Halali and Okakuejo waterholes in Etosha (at night).

- Addo (10 together at a waterhole at night).

- various KZN parks.

Johan

The only black rhino sighting I ever had in Kruger was from the Nkumbe viewpoint. The cow and her calf were on the plain west of Nkumbe.

Hi
We were on the Olifants Wilderness trail on February 20, and came across a black rhino on foot the first morning. We were all taken by surprise (had only spotted the antelopes and zebras as we approached), our guides had never seen one in that area before. We hid behind a bush, and as it seemed to stay calm, we were allowed to peer around the bush for some photos before walking off in a large circle down wind! And for an exciting end to the day, we also walked into buffalo the same afternoon on our way down to the Olifants River. After staring at us for a while they decided to run away.