Hey everyone. I found myself in between jobs this winter, and like any sane herper, I decided to blow all my saved-up money on a trip to Africa. I stayed at the Kinyonga Reptile Centre (formerly "Khamai") for 6 weeks, relocating snakes from local houses and businesses along with caring for their collection. The guys there were awesome and the trip absolutely exceeded my expectations - we were doing relocation call-outs everyday, with the majority being Black Mamba and Boomslang. During those 6 weeks, I saw 18 different species of snakes (all wild, many of them were repeat offenders) and too many frogs to count.
I've included some pictures below, even though I only used a point-&-shoot camera. Majority of my field herping was done at night, walking along the sides of roads. I highly recommend anybody interested in a South Africa trip to hit these fellas up. If you would like to know more about the experience from an American's viewpoint, I'm more than happy to answer questions. [email protected] or facebook: Noah Carlcia
-- Enjoy! Noah
Python natalensis regurgitating during a call-out
Parasites attached to the prey (a Nyala)
Oliphant River
Boaedon capensis
Noah Carl with a hefty Naja annulifera
Elapsoidea sundevalii
Atractaspis bibronii
Dasypeltis scabra
Dendroaspis polylepis and Bitis arietans cuddling up (captive specimens)
Amblyodipsas polylepis
My buddy Silence with a Python natalensis
Mehelya nyassae
Thelotornis capensis
Crotaphopeltis hotaemboeia
Scelotes guntheri
Damien Ellett with a D. polylepis
Phrynomantis bifasciatus
Chris Steenkamp taking a D. polylepis out of a tree in the middle of town
Breviceps
Chamaeleo dilepis
Noah Carl with a Dispholidus typus viridis
Crushed Naja mossambica ... luckily I saw a few live ones, too
Chondrodactylus turneri
Chris Steenkamp and Prince removing a retained eyecap on a Naja nivea
Leptopelis spp.
Megatyphlops schlegelii (formerly Rhinotyphlops)
Pyxicephalus adspersus
Crocodylus niloticus
Solifuge
Damein Ellett with N. annulifera
Hyperolius spp.
And I will end with a mammal
Thank you for lookin at the post!
-- Noah
South Africa Herping
Moderator: Scott Waters
Re: South Africa Herping
Looks like an awesome time! I think you made the right choice. How big was that python that regurged?
- PrimitiveTim
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Re: South Africa Herping
I've been to Khamai! Does Given still work there? Great photos!
- mtratcliffe
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Re: South Africa Herping
Awesome finds - thanks for sharing! I always enjoy seeing posts from Africa.
Re: South Africa Herping
Thanks guys. Python was just under 3 meters (the Nyala was a newborn baby). Good to hear from a past Khamai volunteer! I feel more people should know of this place and this area if they are visiting Africa. Gavin doesn't work there still, but he calls the Centre concerning unwanted snakes from his new job down the road.
-- Noah
-- Noah