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

7,710 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)

  1. Let me share this is by no means any kind of marketing post.
    This is just a real personal story that I decided to share because
    others may be going through the same thing. If you’re battling with gambling or even beginning to feel like it’s becoming a problem,
    take a moment to read this.
    I became someone who thought a quick flutter couldn’t hurt.
    It started harmlessly—a few sports bets with friends—nothing serious.
    However, it got worse.
    Without realizing, I was placing bets every night.
    Occasionally, I won, but those wins just made it more addictive.
    I kept trying to recreate that high. One
    weekend, I lost nearly [insert loss amount here, e.g., “$2,000”] in less
    than two days. That was rent money. And still, I told myself
    I could win it back.
    What’s worse is how much I lied—my friends. I was
    embarrassed, and yet I couldn’t walk away. If you’ve been there,
    you know what I mean.
    Then I came across something I randomly clicked on—and no, I’m
    not going to name it here to advertise—but it changed everything for me.
    I’m not saying it’s a magical solution, but it made me recognize the trap I was in.
    The article didn’t try to sell me anything. It just laid out the
    truth in a way I’d never heard before. It explained how
    gambling is not just a habit, and how you’re playing against odds you
    can’t beat.
    Reading that article, I finally admitted to myself that I had a problem.
    And more importantly, that I wanted to stop. It gave me insight that helped me take the
    first real step towards getting clean.
    Since then, I’ve deleted every betting app I ever had.
    I’ve started being honest again. It’s not easy.
    It’s still a fight sometimes. But I’m
    staying strong.
    If gambling is hurting you, then go find that piece.
    {

  2. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess
    over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly
    very often inside case you shield this increase.

  3. I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort
    of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.
    Reading this information So i’m happy to exhibit that
    I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered just what I
    needed. I such a lot unquestionably will make certain to do not omit
    this web site and provides it a look regularly.

  4. Е2BET 대한민국에 오신 것을 환영합니다 – 당신의
    승리, 전액 지급. 매력적인 보너스를 즐기고,
    재미있는 게임을 플레이하며, 공정하고 편안한 온라인 베팅 경험을
    느껴보세요. 지금 등록하세요!

  5. Выбор радиатора – это уравнение со множеством неизвестных. Цена, надежность, эстетика, требования к системе отопления. Идеального решения нет, есть оптимальное, подходящее именно для ваших условий.
    Главное – тепло и уют в доме, а какой радиатор это обеспечит – уже решать вам. Не экономьте выбирая [url=https://teletype.in/@arboniadom/TkFZDAu6a4u]радиаторы tubog[/url]

  6. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your blog.
    You have some really great posts and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some articles for your blog in exchange
    for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested.

    Many thanks!

  7. Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
    a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your blog posts.

    Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics?
    Thanks for your time!

  8. Dapatkan informasi tentang game online terbaru yang paling
    menarik dan menguntungkan di tahun 2025 Temukan game dengan tema kreatif, fitur bonus menarik, dan RTP tinggi yang bisa membawa kamu pada kemenangan besar!

Leave a Reply to Staron Vexa Rescenion Cancel reply

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