With severe weather waging on in parts of the Western Cape, in areas including Ceres, Worcester, Montagu and Matroosberg, landscapes have been coated in a blanket of snow. Aquila Private Game Reserve, based in Touws River, recently shared snaps from a rare African experience – a snowy safari.
Earlier this week, the Touws River reserve’s resident wildlife experienced snow for the first time.
Images and videos shared to social media captured a glimpse of Aquila’s wildlife – rhinos, elephants, lions and zebra, navigating the snowfall.
According to an article published by the reserve, the team of game rangers, conservation specialists, anti-poaching units and wildlife veterinarians maintain a close watch over the animals at all times to ensure that the severe weather does not harm its wildlife.
“While snow is a rare occurrence in the Western Cape, cold temperatures and icy conditions are an expected part of South Africa’s winter weather,” the reserve wrote.
In one video shared to Facebook by the reserve, two southern white rhinos trot along a snow-covered landscape.
In another post, uploaded by Love Cape Town, a pride of lions, a lone giraffe and a dazzle of zebra navigate the icy landscape of Aquila.
Snow Safari ✅
It’s not everyday you’ll see lions in the snow. @yvettecarmen101 captured this beautiful moment earlier this week @AquilaSafaris 😍❄️🦁 pic.twitter.com/KIjKHR32EW
— Love Cape Town (@lovecapetown) July 11, 2024
Thankfully, the wildlife weren’t left to trudge the cold for too long. The snow that coated the region soon dissipated as the sun settled, wrote the reserve.
Snowfall during an African safari is certainly a rare occasion, observed by a lucky few.
