{"id":227455,"date":"2026-01-04T21:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T21:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/227455\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T21:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T21:00:12","slug":"an-ostrich-goes-for-a-swim-at-a-safari-lodge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/227455\/","title":{"rendered":"An Ostrich Goes for a Swim at a Safari Lodge!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\tAn ostrich swimming in a pool sounds like a typo. It\u2019s not. It\u2019s real, it\u2019s glorious\u2026 and it happened right here in South Africa.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

South Africa (04 January 2026) \u2013 Just when you think you\u2019ve seen everything the bush has to offer, along comes a social media video that stops the scroll, sparks a laugh and reminds us why South Africa\u2019s wild spaces never run out of surprises.<\/p>\n

This week, it wasn\u2019t a lion on the hunt or elephants at a waterhole. It was an ostrich\u2026 going for a swim. Yes. A full-on pool dip. Like a duck. But with longer legs.<\/p>\n

The now-viral video, shared by Kruger Magazine<\/a>, shows an ostrich calmly enjoying a dip at Unyati Safari Lodge<\/a>. Long legs, long neck, and absolutely zero shame as it paddles around like this is just another item on the daily itinerary.<\/p>\n

Naturally, social media did what social media does best. Some viewers were concerned that the ostrich may have been stuck or had fallen into the pool. Others were simply delighted, confused and pressing replay with increasing disbelief.<\/p>\n

After the video gained traction, we chatted to Johan Strauss and Rochelle Moolman from Unyati Safari Lodge<\/a>, who stepped in to clear things up\u2026 and it turns out this wasn\u2019t an accident at all.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe raised the ostriches from just a few weeks-old hatchlings, and they\u2019ve entertained us on countless occasions,\u201d the lodge shared. <\/p>\n

\u201cGiven our location and the heat, they soon discovered they could climb into their water bowl to cool down. We also occasionally sprayed them with water, which led us to where we are today.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the lodge, water has always been a favourite.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever it rains or the sprinklers are on, they happily lie down in the water,\u201d the representative explained. \u201cIf that isn\u2019t an option, they\u2019ll wander off in search of sprinklers\u2026 or make their way to the pool.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first time it happened, panic set in.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, we were terrified when one fell into the pool,\u201d they admitted. \u201cBut it quickly became clear that he was having fun and had mastered a rather impressive breaststroke. Before long, the rest of the flock joined in as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

To put any remaining concerns to rest, the lodge later shared another video showing the same ostrich calmly climbing out of the pool using the steps. No stress. No drama. Just a bird who knows exactly what he\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s something wonderfully South African about this whole moment. It\u2019s light-hearted. It\u2019s unexpected. And it\u2019s exactly the kind of reminder we all need: sometimes the good news is an ostrich, beating the heat, living its best life\u2026 and absolutely nailing the doggy paddle.<\/p>\n

\"OnlyThe Ostriches at Unyati Safari Lodge\u00a0| Photo Credit: Unyati Safari Lodge\u00a0| Supplied
\n\"OnlyThe Ostriches at Unyati Safari Lodge\u00a0| Photo Credit: Unyati Safari Lodge\u00a0| Supplied<\/p>\n

Source: Kruger Magazine | Interview with Unyati Safari Lodge\u00a0
\nDon\u2019t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on\u00a0Apple<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Google<\/a>.\u00a0
\nDo you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by\u00a0clicking here\u00a0<\/a>or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque \u2013 South Africa\u2019s very own\u00a0Good Things Guy<\/a>. He\u2019s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there\u2019s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you\u2019ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:<\/p>\n

Or catch an episode of\u00a0Good Things with Brent Lindeque<\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Weekly Top 5<\/a>\u00a0below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country \u2013 and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t