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.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks a lot!
It’s an remarkable post designed for all the web visitors;
they will get advantage from it I am sure.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it
or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive
the message home a little bit, but other than that,
this is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a
lot of spam feedback? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any
support is very much appreciated.
Hello, There’s no doubt that your web site might be having browser compatibility problems.
Whenever I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks
fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic blog!
I personally find that the using the bridge process is simple and the intuitive UI makes it even better.
Really when someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other people that they will
help, so here it happens.
Внутренний ЭДО: эффективное управление документами
внутри компании
I go to see day-to-day a few websites and sites to read articles or reviews, but this webpage presents feature based content.
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this web page on a regular basis, this
site is in fact pleasant and the people are actually sharing good
thoughts.
Wonderful, what a web site it is! This webpage gives useful information to us, keep it up.
It’s hard to come by well-informed people about this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
株式会社日立エンジニアリングの人材派遣求人サイト「Workers Lab」。軽作業、事務、フォークリフトなど多様な職種を東京・神奈川・千葉・埼玉・茨城エリアで紹介。1日から働ける短期・長期のお仕事が充実。初めての派遣も安心のサポート体制で、あなたに合ったシゴトが見つかります。
After exploring a number of the articles on your site,
I really like your technique of writing a blog.
I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
Please check out my website as well and tell
me what you think.
Jackbom bahis sitesi, geniş bir oyun seçeneği sunmaktadır. Spor bahisleri, canlı bahisler, casino oyunları, canlı casino, poker ve daha birçok oyun seçeneği ile kullanıcılarına eğlenceli bir oyun deneyimi sunmaktadır. Ayrıca, site kullanıcı dostu bir arayüze sahiptir ve kullanıcıların kolayca gezinmesini sağlar.
I’m not sure why but this blog is loading incredibly slow
for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
株式会社日立エンジニアリングの人材派遣求人サイト「Workers Lab」。軽作業、事務、フォークリフトなど多様な職種を東京・神奈川・千葉・埼玉・茨城エリアで紹介。1日から働ける短期・長期のお仕事が充実。初めての派遣も安心のサポート体制で、あなたに合ったシゴトが見つかります。
Hi there Dear, are you in fact visiting this web site daily, if so then you will absolutely get pleasant
experience.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the
simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I
definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they
just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects ,
people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s articles every day along with a mug of
coffee.
Sildenafil Citrate is a prescription drug that is sold as Viagra, Revatio and other names.
This drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction, a medical term for
having trouble with erection.
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering
if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was
hoping maybe you would have some experience with
something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to
your new updates.
Highly descriptive blog, I loved that a lot. Will
there be a part 2?
Thank you, I’ve just been searching for info about this topic for ages and yours
is the greatest I’ve came upon till now. However, what
concerning the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this,
like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home
a little bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog.
An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
اخطار به همه محترم اینکه به فکر فعالیت
به سایتهای شرطبندی هستید.
این سایتها پر از کلاهبرداری هستند و فقط سود صاحبان کار میکنند.
یکی از دوستانم صدها پول نابود کردم و حالا گرفته بحرانهای مالی و ذهنی هستم.
اعتیاد به چنین شرطها شبیه مخدر عمل میکند و زندگی را
نابود میکند. از این چیزها بمانید!
Wow, awesome weblog layout! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
you made blogging look easy. The entire look of your website is excellent, as neatly as the content!
What’s up to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit
of this website; this blog contains remarkable and really good
data in support of visitors.
I really like it when folks get together and share opinions.
Great website, stick with it!
Hello to every body, it’s my first go to see of this weblog;
this weblog consists of amazing and really excellent
information in favor of readers.
Very good article! We will be linking to this great content on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Hurrah! In the end I got a web site from where I can in fact get useful facts regarding my study and knowledge.
Hi there, after reading this awesome article i am also cheerful to share my knowledge here with friends.
Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity to your post is just
cool and i can suppose you are knowledgeable in this subject.
Well along with your permission let me to grab your
feed to stay updated with drawing close post. Thank you 1,000,000
and please carry on the rewarding work.
MELBET-ставки на спорт,киберспорт,казино и многое другое
Лучший букмекер,со своей историей поможет вам заработать целое состояние.
Присоединяйтесь к нам ,пополняйте счет на любую сумму и забирайте свой бонус с [url=https://melbetkz.lol]MELBET[/url]
Асфальтирование – это сложный многоэтапный процесс, превращающий грубую основу в гладкое и долговечное дорожное покрытие. Это не просто укладка черной массы, а кропотливая работа, требующая опыта, знаний и применения специализированной техники.
От качества асфальтирования напрямую зависит комфорт и безопасность движения, долговечность дороги и экономическая эффективность ее эксплуатации. Где заказать [url=http://www.bisound.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2865678#post2865678]асфальтирование в спб[/url]
Greate pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your page.
Im really impressed by your blog.
Hello there, You’ve performed an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and
in my view recommend to my friends. I am sure
they will be benefited from this web site.