South African motorists have an array of signs warning them of dangers along the roads. Apart from warning motorists of pedestrian crossings – even on dirt roads far from the nearest town – there are helpful signs warning of cattle crossings as well as of stray cattle – the latter is not surprising when one considers how many kilometers of fencing has been stolen over the years.
In certain areas you might be warned about sheep. In country areas signs warning one about the presence of kudu – a real danger to meet on the road at night – and even warthogs are fairly common.
In certain areas there are even signs warning motorists to watch out for hippos! Today’s sign is a benign one: it warns motorists to watch out for horses.
Like so many signs in this country it is showing its age. Nonetheless, there are a surprising number of horses in the area where I live – yet this is the only warning sign. The majority of horses can be seen grazing in well-fenced paddocks. I have occasionally seen some being used cowboy fashion to move cattle from one area to another and only once come across ‘unfenced’ horses along this particular stretch of road. Nonetheless, we have been warned!
Something Over Tea 
Wonderful! There were no signs when our rental car was surrounded by hundreds of cape buffalo. It is one of my greatest memories. They we not going to move, so neither did we.
LikeLike
That might have been in the Kruger National Park? We have also been surrounded by buffalo and by elephants in our national parks – but then one has to ‘expect the unexpected’ in such places 🙂
LikeLike
You can probably imagine how many warning signs we have – increased in recent years, possibly because of Covid induced influx of visitors. There are also death tallies.
LikeLike
I imagine the death tallies must be effective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes three figure per annum
LikeLike
We see many cows, sheep and goats alongside or national road, but luckily they are always tied to a long rope or leather leash. They are quite used to the traffic and do not even pause their grazing to look at the vehicles driving by at high speed. No kudus, thank goodness.
LikeLike
Your comment makes the Eastern Cape sound like the ‘wild west’ 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Watch out for the animals! We have similar signs in Maine, with different animals, of course, including moose.
LikeLike
I would like to see one of those 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are quite a sight!
LikeLike
Ons het gereeld deur Botswana gery en dit was ‘n nagmerrie met al die diere, mak en wild. Om saans daar te ry is heeltemal uit.
LikeLike
Hier in die Oos Kaap probeer ons om nie in die donker te ry nie: koedoes, vlakvarke en ander wildediere kom voor op die paaie, veral buite die dorpe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post reminds me of a funny story. We were camping in a provincial park to the north when our children were very young. The area is known for Moose so we encouraged the kids to keep an eye out while driving. Suddenly our son shouted, “I see one” pointing at a moose crossing sign up ahead.
Hope all is well.
LikeLike
Oh Henry, this is a delightful story. Thank you for sharing it!
LikeLike
Your signs seem exotic when talking about kudu. Here we have similar signs but with different animals on the signs.
LikeLike
It is nonetheless good to know that there are still wild animals running free.
LikeLike
Like Laurie shared, we have moose and deer signs. Down South, they have wild hog and alligator warnings. All hazards are worse at night, when human’s visibility is reduced. I think of gators as speed bumps(!)– poor things are only trying to warm up on the tarmac. 😦
LikeLike
Most of these warning signs are appropriate for dawn and after dusk, I think. One seldom sees animals (other than domestic cattle, goats and sheep) on the road during the day. It is a good point you make about warming up on the tarmac after dark.
LikeLike
At my age, I am grateful that I do not have to encounter as many animals while driving as you do.
LikeLike
Here we have long stretches of open road between towns, so meeting animals is inevitable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
More interesting to see that stop signs – here in Michigan, our freeze-thaw cycle causes everyone to stop, then dodge potholes in the road. If you don’t, you can break an axle or ruin your car’s suspension, not to mention getting a flat tire.
LikeLike
*than* – sorry for the error.
LikeLike
We have a widespread pothole problem in this country too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heading towards the Kruger I always know we’re getting close when the warning signs for kudus and hippos start appearing next to the N4…
LikeLike
Such signs certainly increases one’s expectations of seeing something out of the ordinary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting to see road signs common to you. We have our share too including moose, deer and even turtle crossings in season.
LikeLike
Turtle crossing signs would be interesting to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You see them on quite a few roads near wetlands and lakes and ponds around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person