5 Wildlife Sightings That Never Get Old
Some wildlife sightings are just funny.
Not interesting. Not special. Not “a wonderful opportunity to observe natural behaviour.”
Just, properly, laugh-out-loud funny.
A black wildebeest suddenly charging in circles after its own tail. A family of warthogs taking off through the grass with every aerial firmly in the upright position. A bird that throws its head back, whistles dramatically… and then pops.
Spend enough time in the bush and you start collecting these moments.
They aren’t necessarily rare. In fact, some of the animals responsible are ones we see all the time. But there are certain behaviours that will make most guides laugh, no matter how many times we’ve watched them before.
Here are five wildlife sightings that we think deserve a place on it.
1. Black Wildebeest: The Clown of the Bushveld
Often referred to as the clown of the bushveld, it is hard not to be entertained by a black wildebeest apparently losing its mind.
Tail-chasing, bucking, head-tossing and sudden bursts of running can make their behaviour look completely unhinged at first.
There is, of course, usually more going on than simple wildebeest madness. Tail-chasing and some of that frantic movement may help dislodge irritating biting flies, while their exaggerated displays and energetic behaviour also form part of social and territorial interactions.
But knowing why they do it doesn’t make it look any less ridiculous.
If you’ve ever watched a black wildebeest suddenly start chasing its own tail across the veld, you’ll understand exactly how it earned the nickname.
2. Black-bellied Bustard: Wait for the Pop
Some wildlife sightings become memorable because of what you see.
Others announce themselves from somewhere across the veld.
The male Black-bellied Bustard has one of those calls that, once learnt, is difficult to forget. During its display, the bird stretches its neck upwards and produces a distinctive whistle followed by a popping sound.
It is bizarre.
It is brilliant.
And it is exactly the kind of bird call that makes learning birds considerably more entertaining.
This is also one of those wonderful guiding moments where a bird that a guest might barely have noticed suddenly becomes the star of the drive.
Never heard one? We have a demonstration from one of our guides – Watch Reel.
Consider yourself warned: once you know the sound, you will start hearing it everywhere.
3. Warthogs: Tails Up!
Warthogs are responsible for a disproportionate amount of entertainment on safari.
They kneel to feed.
They have extraordinary faces.
They reverse into burrows.
And when danger appears, the whole family can suddenly tear off through the bush with their tails sticking vertically into the air – a sight that can be surprisingly entertaining.
There is actually a practical reason for that famous tail position. In long grass, the raised tail may help members of the group keep track of one another as they run.
Very sensible.
It just doesn’t look sensible.
A particularly good warthog sighting can also be a wonderful lesson in why guides shouldn’t judge the quality of a sighting by the rarity of the animal.
Spend ten minutes watching warthogs properly and they will usually give you something worth watching.
4. Dwarf Mongoose Chaos
There is very little dignity in a group of dwarf mongooses.
One minute everyone is peacefully foraging. The next there is chasing, wrestling, squeaking, climbing over each other and at least one mongoose apparently deeply offended by something another mongoose has done.
Then, just as quickly, everyone gets back to business.
They are tiny, ridiculously busy and seem to conduct most of their lives at double speed.
Sometimes the best thing you can do at a dwarf mongoose sighting is stop trying to work out what’s going on and just enjoy the chaos.
5. Baboons: Better Than Reality Television
If entertainment is the criterion, baboons deserve a place on the list. Sit back and enjoy the show!
A baboon troop isn’t simply a collection of individual animals. It is a complicated social community.
There are friendships and alliances. Grooming sessions. Arguments. Mothers carrying infants. Youngsters playing. Adults disciplining youngsters. Individuals watching one another carefully and responding to the politics unfolding around them.
Stay with a troop long enough and you begin to realise that there are stories happening everywhere.
And that is perhaps one of the best lessons wildlife guiding teaches us.
The interesting sighting isn’t necessarily the rare sighting.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is switch off the vehicle, stop worrying about what might be around the next corner and actually watch the animals that are already in front of you.
Because somewhere nearby, a wildebeest may be chasing its tail.
And most likely – the lions will still be sleeping by the time you get there.
So What Did We Miss?
This list could easily have been twenty animals long.
Giraffes necking.
Young elephants learning how to use their trunks.
Hornbills shadowboxing.
Dung beetles determinedly pushing a ball up an entirely unnecessary hill.
The bush is full of animals doing extraordinary, clever and occasionally ridiculous things.
And perhaps that is why experienced guides often become increasingly interested in the animals everybody else drives past.
The more you learn, the more there is to see.
Questions People Often Ask
Do safari guides only focus on the Big Five?
No. While the Big Five are iconic safari animals, professional nature guiding is about interpreting the whole natural environment — including mammals, birds, plants, insects, reptiles, tracks, signs, ecology and animal behaviour.
Why do black wildebeest chase their tails?
Black wildebeest are well known for energetic behaviour including running, bucking and tail chasing. Tail chasing is often associated with irritation caused by biting insects, although animal behaviour can have multiple causes and should always be interpreted in context.
Why do warthogs run with their tails up?
Warthogs characteristically raise their tails when running, particularly when alarmed. One proposed function is that the upright tail helps animals maintain visual contact with one another when moving through vegetation.
Do dwarf mongooses really work with hornbills?
Yes. Dwarf mongooses and some hornbill species are known to forage together. Hornbills can take advantage of prey disturbed by the mongooses, while the mongooses may benefit from the birds’ vigilance for predators.
What makes a good wildlife sighting?
Rarity isn’t necessarily what makes a sighting good. Behaviour, interaction, good observation and understanding what an animal is doing can turn even a very common species into an exceptional wildlife experience.
What wildlife sighting never gets old for you?
The one that makes you stop every single time — no matter how many times you’ve seen it before. Hop over to our Facebook page to share your experience. Go to Bhejane Facebook
Posted on: 7 September, 2026 by the Bhejane Tribe