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 š
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.
Developing a framework is important.
Glad to be one of several visitors on this awful internet site : D.
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered so far. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you certain concerning the source?
Keep it up!. I usually don’t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful A rise in An increase in An increase in.
Good blog you have here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays. I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Just wanna admit that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I value the scalable features and reliable uptime. This site is reliable.
Just wanna admit that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
This blog post is exceptional and offers such a refreshing depth of
Thanks For This Blog, was added to my bookmarks.
Amazing things here. I am very happy to peer your post. Thank you a lot and I’m taking a look forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
OK, you outline what is a big issue. But, canāt we develop more answers in the private sector?
I was skeptical, but after recently of using the bridge, the clear transparency convinced me.
Hello very nice blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take
the feeds additionally? I’m happy to search out numerous helpful info
right here in the post, we need develop extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
Fast onboarding, accurate charts, and a team that actually cares. The dashboard gives a complete view of my holdings.
I just couldn’t leave your web site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard info an individual supply to your guests? Is going to be again continuously in order to inspect new posts
Alex here ā Iāve tried providing liquidity and the accurate charts impressed me.
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really realize what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my site =). We can have a hyperlink trade agreement between us
fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why more of the ther experts in the field do not break it down like this. You should continue your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Congratulations
Can you tell us more about this? I’d love to find out some additional
information.
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
Are grateful for this blog post, it’s tough to find good information and facts on the internet
I like meeting utile info, this post has got me even more info!
Its just like you read my thoughts! Itās like reading about my family.
The testing new tokens process is simple and the reliable uptime makes it even better.
Great article.
We can see that we need to develop policies to deal with this trend.
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by defining this as such a comprehensive, almost unknowable problem. Isnāt that self-defeating?
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Kudos
It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by defining this as such a comprehensive, almost unknowable problem. Isnāt that self-defeating?
Our local network of agencies has found your research so helpful.
I have been browsing online more than three hours today,
yet I never discovered any fascinating article like yours.
It’s lovely worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and
bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the web will be much more
useful than ever before.
Our local network of agencies has found your research so helpful.
insight. The clarity, flow, and passion in your writing make the entire
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye -.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and may come back in the future. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice morning!
Every weekend i used to visit this site, for the reason that i want enjoyment, for the reason that this this web page conations truly pleasant funny material too.
Sometimes, the sheer magnitude of the information seems overwhelming.
Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually recognize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally visit my site =). We can have a hyperlink trade contract among us!
Just came from google to your website have to say thanks.
I am glad to be a visitor of this perfect blog !, appreciate it for this rare info!
hello!,I really like your writing very a lot! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your article on AOL? I require a specialist on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking ahead to peer you.
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating.
With this issue, itās important to have someone like you with something to say that really matters.
Greetings, have tried to subscribe to this websites rss feed but I am having a bit of a problem. Can anyone kindly tell me what to do?’
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in our community. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work on|.You have done a marvellous job!
This blog post is exceptional and offers such a refreshing depth of
I have been curious about these trends, and you have really helped me. I have just told a few of my friends about this on FaceBook and they love your content just as much as I do.
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but I’m glad I visited. I will post a link to this site on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.