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

77,560 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)”

  1. Hello there, I found your web site by the use of Google even as looking
    for a comparable subject, your web site came up, it seems great.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, just become aware of your weblog thru Google, and located
    that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
    I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
    A lot of people will likely be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  3. Thanks for your interesting article. One other problem is that mesothelioma is generally attributable to the inhalation of material from mesothelioma, which is a dangerous material. It can be commonly viewed among laborers in the structure industry that have long experience of asbestos. It’s also caused by moving into asbestos covered buildings for long periods of time, Genes plays a crucial role, and some persons are more vulnerable to the risk compared to others.

  8. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your
    articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    But think of if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this website could certainly be one of
    the greatest in its field. Superb blog!

  16. Сайт предоставляет возможность выбрать место для просмотра на интерактивной карте или из списка, а также смотреть видео
    на полный экран.

  17. I think other site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and fantastic user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  20. I cannot thank you more than enough for the blogposts on your website. I know you set a lot of time and energy into these and truly hope you know how deeply I appreciate it. I hope I’ll do a similar thing person sooner or later.

  21. Thank you, I’ve just been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best I have
    found out till now. However, what in regards to the bottom
    line? Are you positive about the supply?

  23. I simply couldn’t depart your site before suggesting that I really enjoyed
    the usual info a person supply to your visitors? Is gonna be again frequently in order to
    inspect new posts

  26. Hello there, simply become alert to your weblog through Google, and located that it is truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful in the event you proceed this in future. Numerous folks can be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  39. I feel that is among the so much significant info for me. And i am satisfied studying your article. However should commentary on some basic issues, The site style is ideal, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Excellent activity, cheers

  42. An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little
    research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him…

    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this issue here on your web site.

  44. First of all I would like to say wonderful blog! I
    had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.

    I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.

    I’ve had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out
    there. I truly do take pleasure in writing but it just seems
    like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be
    wasted just trying to figure out how to begin.
    Any ideas or hints? Cheers!

  48. Easily, the post is really the greatest on this laudable topic. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your future updates. Saying thank will not just be sufficient, for the wonderful c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Solid work and much success in your business enterprise!

Leave a Reply to online casinos Cancel reply

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