Mamba Stories

The black mamba is one of the most feared snakes in the world, and certainly the most feared in Africa. It was once believed that if you were bitten by a Black Mamba the end came quickly.

Drinking Milk from the Cow and Other Stories

There are stories of Black Mambas drinking milk from the udders of cows in the field, but this probably comes from a story narrated by Roald Dahl from a dead pilot's manuscript that he found. The story was told to the pilot by an old man in the highlands of Kenya.
Another fable relates how Mamba's will chase you until they catch you, and will track you down if you kill its mate. What Mamba's are known for is deadly retaliation if threatened, but I have personally watched a Mamba remain dead still in the grass on the edge of a footpath where workers were passing. I did not alert the workers as I did not want to cause any disruptions.

Living with Mambas


There are many stories of people living in wild areas that have had a Black Mamba living in their roofs or in a hole in a tree in close proximity to their front doors, proving that the snake is not aggressive.
Whilst based at Mombo Camp in the Okavango we had a huge Mamba living in a tree along the path to our house and at the same Mombo comes the story of the chef who got back late one night and found his light not working in his room. Finding a flashlight he scratched around in the corner where all his plugs were and feeling something smooth he pulled at it - only to find it was a huge Black Mamba. The snake must have got a bigger fright for it slinked quickly out of the room.

On the Road with a Mamba

Driving from Victoria Falls to our base in Kasane I saw what looked like a pipe in the road. As I got up close I realised it was a snake - and a huge one at that. I was too late to avoid it and the tyres went over the mid sections. In the split second of driving over it I saw it rear off the ground towards me but I must have caught it high enough for it not to reach. In the split second I was able to identify it as a Mamba.
I slowed down and turned back to see what damage had been done to the snake, but after a fruitless search I gave up and turned back towards Kasane. I am not really sure what spurred the thought but the 'what if' scenario suddenly hit me. What if the snake was under the car and coming through the engine cover? What if I was trapped in the car with a really pissed off Black Mamba?
Fear does strange things to people and I was now in a state of panic. Jumping out the car I moved quickly away a distance and waited - until I realised I was still close to where I had run the snake over. 'What if'? Oh boy!
It must have been a Mr Bean like comedy on the road that day but after calming down I got back in the vehicle and slowly drove off, with an occasional glance at the engine cover.
By Leigh Kemp
Botswana Safari Tours and Game Lodges
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