When we are asleep, the only sounds at Mattikoko Safari Camp may be a chorus of Kassina Frogs and distant Hyenas calling. But Aardvarks are quietly going about their business under the cover of darkness. By day, these nocturnal engineers stay hidden in their burrows, conserving energy and avoiding the harsh African sun. But as darkness falls, they emerge to forage, moving with purpose across the savannah. To see an Aardvark is rare, to capture an Aardvark on Camera is very rare!
Amazingly, one of our GardePro PIR trail cameras captured a very fleeting glimpse of this nocturnal mammal. Blink and you may miss it, but it is unmistakably an Aardvark! It was so close to the Mattikoko Camp entrance it had everybody buzzing, even our Maasai friends. We knew they were around as evidence of their work was all around us. Earlier in the day, Moses and Alan were absolutely nerding out on the savannah with guests, inspecting the freshly dug holes with tracks and tail marks intact revealing their tireless excavations.
Aardvark excavation
Aardvark fieldcraft with Moses
Aardvarks dig primarily to reach termites and ants, their dietary staples. Once abandoned, their burrows become homes for a surprising variety of other species. Hyenas, porcupines, warthogs, snakes, and even smaller mammals are quick to move in.
Reviewing our trail camera footage and seeing creatures we might otherwise never see is fascinating. Our guests really enjoy the opportunity to see the rare, the hidden, and the quietly extraordinary moments.
Wow, seeing an aardvark on camera is amazing! I love that you can review the footage with guests — it makes the experience feel really special and real.
I wish I could travel on your safaris, you make the trips into such an experience while others are just ogoing through the motions. I travelled with [REDACTED] to Finland and their attitudes and interaction were atrocious. Keep up the good work, I know a couple of people I have travelled with in the past who are travelling with you now, hopefully one day I can attend.
Do the animals take an interest in the cameras? Great to see and I loved the hippo grazing too on the other post you made. Would love a safari with you both followed your social media for a long time
Not really, we have lots of footage and some animals come very very close but that seems to be because they are feeding from branches on the tree or scent marking the tree where the camera is attached. I can’t remember if we’ve had any direct interaction with the camera. I’ll have to check as we post more footage. It would be great to see you – we could do some morning zumba on the savannah!
If our blog has sparked your imagination with stories, encounters, and the sights of the wild, why not take the next step and experience it for yourself? Our photography safaris are more than a holiday, they’re an invitation to truly feel Africa.
Join a small-group adventure where conservation, creativity, and culture come together. You’ll be guided by professional wildlife photographers and qualified local guides who know not just where to go, but when and how to position for the most extraordinary photographic opportunities. From dawn light over the Maasai Mara to the call of lions at dusk, every moment is crafted for connection to wildlife, to local communities, and to your own creative spirit.
Our ethos is simple: ethical safaris, unforgettable experiences, and incredible photographic opportunities that support conservation and local communities.
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Our privacy policy can be found here.
Cookie Preferences
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
Name
Description
Duration
Cookie Preferences
This cookie is used to store the user's cookie consent preferences.
30 days
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
Name
Description
Duration
comment_author
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_email
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
comment_author_url
Used to track the user across multiple sessions.
Session
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
SourceBuster is used by WooCommerce for order attribution based on user source.
Name
Description
Duration
sbjs_session
The number of page views in this session and the current page path
30 minutes
sbjs_udata
Information about the visitor’s user agent, such as IP, the browser, and the device type
session
sbjs_first
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current
Traffic origin information for the visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_first_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s first visit to your store (only applicable if the visitor returns before the session expires)
session
sbjs_current_add
Timestamp, referring URL, and entry page for your visitor’s current visit to your store
session
sbjs_migrations
Technical data to help with migrations between different versions of the tracking feature
session
Marketing cookies are used to follow visitors to websites. The intention is to show ads that are relevant and engaging to the individual user.
Facebook Pixel is a web analytics service that tracks and reports website traffic.
Leave a Reply