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Africa’s Big Five and Little Five

10,000 Birds

Generally the large family herds of buffalo are peaceful, but the old bulls (called “dagga” boys, “dagga” being a Zulu word for “mud” since they are often covered with the substance after their long wallows) who have left the herds tend to be furious with life in general and anyone they can smash in particular.

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Madikwe; Paradise Restored

10,000 Birds

It’s the only park I have ever been to that not only have I seen all five of the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, African Buffalo, White Rhino and African Elephant) in, but seen them all on the same day. A Shaft-tailed Whydah, a member of a small African family of cuckoo-finches. Purple Roller.