Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)

Breakfast at the camp this morning before leaving at 7:30. We are heading South today in search of the Black Rhino. It was quite the drive so Ally drove with a purpose today so we could get there, search then begin the long drive back. Driving with a purpose here has a whole new meaning for me…lol!

There is a Black Rhino project here where the monitor the species to help from extension. Poaching here is still a huge problem so there are rangers in this area who live on top of the cliffs to help protect them. We learned that often poachers are just killed here because too many have been arrested but go back to poaching when they get out so it’s easier to just eliminate them. Something to be said for repeat offenders of violent crimes in the states. Visited the Rhino information center to learn about their history. A great guide full of knowledge and passion for these animals. You would have to love it to live way out here. You sure can’t just run down the street for milk if you forgot it on your way home.

No luck in spotting a Rhino today though. Since there are only 23 monitored animals on these planes, and they mostly graze alone, there was no telling where they were. The trip however gave us the opportunity to see the Kopjes, which are forms of rocks like none I have ever seen. There are many difference Kopjes, named for the tribe that lived there many centuries ago. This is Massai country. When in Arusha, we saw many of the Massai tribe which are easy to spot as the men still wear the red draped clothes as their daily attire. Would have been something to see these people still living upon on these rocks. There was one particular area where steps have been built so that you can climb to the top. Ally said he normally would not allow us to climb there unless there were other vehicles around because it has been known to have lions up there. But we all agreed we were game to try it. I know…wreckless right? Ally led the way making lots of noise to scare anything that might have been visiting the area. A few remnants of lions were present but no lions to be found. Let me say how glad we are we made that decision. What an amazing site from up there.

Back in the jeep and off to a lunch spot for a packed lunches. Arrived a favorite spot by many and were told we couldn’t be here because the President of Germany and the President of Tanzania would be visiting there soon. They were already setting up a huge spread for them by the Zebra refreshment company…lol! So we left in search of a new lunch spot.

Now for the excitement of the day. On our way to find a new spot we ran across a pride of lions laying in the shade of a huge tree not far from the road. It was an amazing site. 10 juvenile cubs in all and 7 lionesses (we never did see the males) however it was the same pride we saw yesterday, noted by one with a monitoring collar and one with a huge gash in her nose. Within a few minutes, one of the females raised her head and they all looked in one direction towards a herd of zebras who were making their way across the road into the area of the lions. In a split second 5 of the lionesses each rose and moved with grace to do their particular job. Can you believe this? A kill is just about to happen right in front of us. I didn’t think I wanted to see this at all until I watched how these amazing animals worked together with patience and purpose to feed their family. In a matter of maybe 15 minutes, they had completely formed a parameter around the herd and were waiting for their opportunity. In a split second one lioness made a move and the herd scattered, charged, ran…you name it. One of the lioness had to lay down in the road to keep from getting trampled. In that split second their opportunity was lost…they got away! We have a video of the whole thing and believe it or not it was sad. I hate to see the zebra loose it’s life but it was such an amazing thing to watch. Ally put it well, the lion laid down because no one wanted to die that day. They all made it back to the tree with the cubs to rest from their big chase.

We needed to make a trip back to the airstrip anyway (I’ll mention in a future post why) so decided to just have lunch at the airport. Now, keep in mind, without thinking, when were going to the same airstrip where both Presidents were expected in shortly. A guard at the entrance just let us on in, we parked and walked to the small building with our lunch boxes. We laughed because you can’t even get within 5 miles of the airports at home when our president is flying in. Tons of safari vehicles lined up to meet their arrival. A few armed guards and mostly people like us standing around with cameras. There was no concern to be standing along the strip for a photo op so I took it. Now, I have no idea who the president of Germany even is but figured it would be a great moment for Ally to have photos of “his” president. Planes landed and I snapped pictures of anyone coming off the plan. Ended up with great pictures of the German president but the Tanzania president was not there. Only the Interior ministers were there to meet him. Fun adventure to this trip, even though our original trip to the airstrip was not a success 🙁

Before heading back to camp we saw another Leopard in a tree. It’s so funny to see how they just chill and are so uninterested in us.

Back at camp at 4:30. Showers again at 6. Dinner at 7. Tonight we were joined by all the staff of the camp, except the chef. We had asked them all to join us when we first got there and they said they would on the last night. It was a great meal and a lot of fun. This crew has over exceeded our expectations. It will be hard to top it at the next camp. During our dinner, we were joined by a Hyena, just beside the tent. That just sort of cracks me up. I watched JJ leave the dining tent and walk to the kitchen tent, in the dark, with the Hyena sitting right there. He said, He knows me! They also shared that a few weeks ago a pride brought down a buffalo right in the camp area and stayed there for a solid week. JJ said they had approached him carrying the buckets of water to the tents to get a drink. He just dropped the buckets of water, walked away, let them get their drink and then picked up his buckets and carried on. OMG!!!! I guess there is something to be said for living in this country and feeling comfortable.

Back to the tent to be zipped in at 8:30. We packed, well Rich packed, played a few hands of gin and I caught up on my blog posts. Heard several lions throughout the night. I don’t think I will ever get tired of this. We leave for 2nd camp location tomorrow.
20150205_014827

20150205_072127

Posted on

6,318 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)”

  1. Howdy very nice blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark
    your site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am happy to seek out numerous helpful info right here within the post,
    we want work out more strategies on this regard, thank you
    for sharing. . . . . .

  2. I do not even know how I stopped up right here, but I assumed this
    submit was once good. I do not recognise who you are however certainly you are going to
    a well-known blogger in case you are not already. Cheers!

  3. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you might be
    a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will
    eventually come back at some point. I want to encourage continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!

  4. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts
    on this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I at last
    stumbled upon this website. Studying this information So i am happy to exhibit that I have an incredibly
    good uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed.

    I such a lot without a doubt will make sure to don?t omit this site and provides it a look on a
    relentless basis.

  5. Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga
    group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
    Please let me know. Thank you

  10. I don’t even know the way I ended up here, but I assumed this
    post was once great. I don’t understand who
    you might be but certainly you are going to a famous blogger for those who aren’t already.

    Cheers!

  11. Hi I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking
    on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now
    and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
    theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all
    at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great work.

  12. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I
    am impressed! Very useful information particularly the
    last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was seeking this particular
    information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  13. Postingan ini menurut saya bagus sekali.
    Saya sepakat dengan penjelasan yang ditulis.
    Terima kasih sudah share artikel yang berguna seperti ini.

    Saya akan simpan halaman ini dan cek ulang nanti.

    Semoga makin berkembang untuk admin.

  14. This design is wicked! You most certainly know how to keep
    a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved
    to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic
    job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  15. Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Taking the time and actual
    effort to generate a really good article… but what can I
    say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t manage to
    get nearly anything done.

  17. Hello great website! Does running a blog similar to this require a lot of work?
    I’ve virtually no knowledge of programming but I had been hoping
    to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.

    I know this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask.
    Cheers!

  21. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a sea
    shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her
    ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and
    it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is completely off topic but
    I had to tell someone!

  30. hello!,I really like your writing very so much!
    percentage we keep in touch more about your post on AOL?

    I need a specialist in this space to solve my problem. May be that is you!
    Having a look forward to peer you.

  33. Can I simply just say what a comfort to find somebody who
    genuinely understands what they’re discussing on the net.

    You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important.

    A lot more people really need to look at
    this and understand this side of your story. I can’t
    believe you are not more popular given that you most certainly have the gift.

Leave a Reply to شرایط تدریس در دانشگاه علمی کاربردی Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *