Bush Neighbours, Tales from Inside the Fence
At Thorn Tree Bush Camp, our two-hectare electrified fence keeps out the giants — the elephants, the predators, the heavy browsers. But inside the fence? That’s where a different kind of wilderness thrives. One that's smaller, quieter, and no less wild. It’s a world you might miss if you’re not looking… but oh, what a world it is.
Night Leapers – The Lesser Bushbabies
At dusk, just before the shadows dissolve into night, keep your eyes on the trees. You might catch a sudden flash — a wide-eyed lesser bushbaby (Galago moholi), leaping between branches with astonishing grace. These tiny nocturnal primates make their nests beneath water tanks, in tree hollows, and even in the thatch of the lapa roof.
You’ll often find them sipping the sticky sap of thorn trees or chasing insects in the moonlight. Some were even hand-raised by Shana and Elzabé before being rewilded here — and they’ve never truly left. They remain part of the story of this land.
Tree Squirrels – Mischief in the Rafters
As morning light filters through the fever trees, the squirrels begin their day. They warm their bellies in the winter sun, then scamper into a game of tag along the branches, across rooftops, and up and down the trees. They’ve made themselves perfectly at home, especially in the roof of Monkey Thorn Cottage. And if a bowl of fruit or a box of biscuits is left unattended… well, that’s just an open invitation.
Flashes of Colour – Agamas and White Geckos
Scuttling across the rocks or basking on wooden poles, the blue-headed agamas are a staple of summer. The males flaunt their vivid colors during the breeding season, bobbing their heads and doing push-ups to show off. Watch long enough, and you might see two males sizing each other up like tiny dinosaurs in a standoff.
Come evening, the white geckos (house geckos) take over. These translucent insect-eaters prowl walls and ceilings, chirping softly and hunting moths near porch lights. They’re silent allies in the endless battle against mosquitoes, and always welcome guests.
Silken Engineers – Golden Orb Spiders
Golden orb spiders weave architectural marvels between trees and fence posts. Their silk catches the sun like strands of spun gold. At least 11 species are known in Africa, and a few call our bush camp home. Unless they’re in the way, we let them be. These gentle giants of the arachnid world do wonders in keeping insect populations down — and their web artistry is a sight to behold.
Slithers and Sentries – Snakes and Mongooses
Yes, we do encounter snakes now and then. But rarely. The banded mongooses in the area are constantly on patrol, sniffing, darting, and — if necessary — ganging up to drive off a snake. These fearless little creatures have partial immunity to venom and are known for their clever, coordinated attacks.
Should a snake be found in camp, we don’t panic — we relocate it safely to another part of the reserve.
A Chorus of Birds – From Dusk to Dawn
As the sun dips and shadows lengthen, the bush camp fills with birdsong. Sunset is a symphony — the last calls of the day as birds settle into roost. Listen for the Crested Francolins chuckling as they cluck and cackle their way to bed, the rustling chatter of Helmeted Guineafowl, and the haunting hoots of the Pearl-Spotted Owlet beginning its night.
And then the morning… oh, the morning.
At first light, a full orchestra greets the dawn. The Crimson-Breasted Shrike, unmistakable in its red-and-black jacket, sings a sharp, flute-like tune from deep within the trees. The Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird taps out its endless metronome call — tick…tick…tick — a sound so regular it could be mistaken for a dripping tap. Add in the rattles and clucks of guineafowl waking and the aerial calls of hornbills in flight, and you’ll feel the bush breathe to life again.
Then, after the first summer storms arave out of Botswana in the west, the Woodland Kingfishers arrive. They sit on bare branches, singing their crystalline two-part call: a sharp “tuuui…” followed by a tumbling, trilling “trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”. It’s a sound that feels like cool water after heat — refreshing, pure, and full of promise.
Tiny Voices – Frogs and Toads
On humid nights after summer rain, the ground hums with life. Frogs and toads join the chorus, each species lending its own note. Some call from puddles near the tents, others from hidden spots beneath the trees. Their songs signal a healthy ecosystem and lure insects to the surface — a feast for geckos, birds, and bushbabies alike.
Ancient Wanderers – Rock Monitors
Every now and then, a rock monitor might saunter through the camp — silent, wary, and utterly prehistoric. Though skittish around people, they serve an important role, keeping rodent populations in check. One even overwintered in our roof, unseen but not unwelcome. When disturbed, they disappear fast, leaving only a deep, winding trail in the sand.
A Wilderness in Miniature
Thorn Tree Bush Camp may be fenced, but the wild still whispers through its trees and scampers beneath its eaves. If you pause long enough — with a mug of coffee at dawn, or by lantern light at dusk — you’ll see it. A flicker of fur, a darting shape, a symphony of chirps, hoots, croaks, and clicks.
Inside the fences, the bush is alive. Not with danger — but with wonder.
Look out for our next blog on 12 May: Adventures Beyond the Fence – Life beyond the fence is full of moments that remind us just how close we live to the wild.