A Visit To Norfolk’s Watatunga Wildlife Reserve

23 August, 2024

Article by:
Andrea Barden, Marketing & Fundraising Executive, British Deer Society

Guest contribution by:
Dr Sandy Forbat

The Monkman family recently travelled down to Norfolk to visit and explore Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. Here’s an overview of their visit and photographs of some of the species they got to see.

We visited Watatunga Wildlife Reserve in early July for a family weekend with our two adult daughters.

There was a fascinating array of endangered deer and antelope species, together with cranes, storks, great bustards, guinea fowl, white pheasants, and more.

We pootled round the 180 acre site on a self driven buggy, spotting the different beasts as they went about their daily life, mostly oblivious to our attentions.

The cottage was charming and very comfortable.

We had a lovely time, making the most of the good weather to get out and about in our buggy as often as possible.

We saw everything listed in the guide, and were able to approach pretty closely to most.

All the animals seemed extremely relaxed and unbothered by our buggy, and obligingly posed photogenically for us.

We met “Dave” (grumpy great Bustard) a number of times, who seemed a little unimpressed, and eyed us up beadily.

The guinea fowl were beautiful, and followed us around, softly chattering to themselves.

We spent half an hour spying on the Bongo as it rested deep in the bushes, just able to get a glimpse of its head and impressive horns, and then on the next trip he was standing in the middle of a clearing next to a track so we were able to drive right past him.

Beautiful creatures dotted everywhere, with the excitement of spotting them camouflaged or in hiding as well as right in front of us!

We thoroughly enjoyed our safari, it is a fabulous place.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WATATUNGA

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is a place dedicated to supporting and promoting conservation and sustainable tourism. They work in partnership with The British Deer Society to encourage everyone to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of deer, the hazards they face and their complex relationship with both their natural environment and humankind.

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