Sighting a rare honey badger - an exciting afternoon for our guests

Some safaris are about the ‘big sightings’ - the leopards, the lions... Others are about that one animal you never expect to see - and then can’t stop talking about for the rest of the trip.

This was one of those days.

Our guests were cruising through the rolling, golden hills of Lolldaiga, feeling pretty smug already. The morning had delivered elephants and a pride of lions, glorious light, great coffee and the kind of scenery that makes you wonder why you don’t live in Kenya full-time. Spirits were high.

Then someone in the front whispered, “Wait… what is that? Phones came out. Binoculars scrambled. A honey badger! We hadn’t spotted one in Lolldaiga for several years.

Honey badgers are legends in the animal kingdom. Renowned for their fearlessness, strength, and intelligence, they have earned nicknames like “the fiercest creature in the bush.” Despite their stocky size, they boast an almost mythical reputation: able to fend off predators, crack open tough hides, and pursue food with relentless determination. They are well known for biting the testicles of their enemies (read: lions) to escape!

This individual in Lolldaiga was on a mission. With powerful foreclaws and a keen nose, it dug at the erosions and soft earth in search of grubs and insects, the rich reward of a patient forager. At one point, it paused and looked directly toward us - one vehicle, our lucky guests and a solitary honey badger going about its secretive life.