Angola: Kissama NP – Rains & Wildebeest
Kissama National Park is a true jewel of Angola. While the wildlife was completely decimated during the civil war, in 2002, a Noah’s Ark operation was undertaking to bring animals from South Africa and Botswana and repopulate the park, which was a tremendous success. Elephants, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, and other antelopes were brought here and reproduced quickly and successfully (there are no predators in the park yet). The park looks spectacular in the rainy season. When we arrived here in the afternoon, heavy black clouds descended on the park and a brief torrential downpour ensued. When the rain was over, wildebeest came out in hundreds, completely unafraid of humans, coming up close to the vehicle. Wildebeest must be the ugliest antelope in the world and probably inspired the orcs in the Lord of Rings.
