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.
you are in point of fact a just right webmaster.
The web site loading pace is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any distinctive trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece. you have
performed a wonderful job on this subject!
Hi colleagues, fastidious post and pleasant urging commented here, I am truly enjoying by these.
Wow, that’s what I was seeking for, what a stuff! existing here at this webpage,
thanks admin of this web site.
Awesome article.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of
your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it
better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or
2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Hello, just wanted to say, I liked this post. It was inspiring.
Keep on posting!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added
I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me
from that service? Thanks a lot!
Hey There. I found your blog the usage of msn. That is a very well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
Excellent, what a web site it is! This weblog provides valuable data to us, keep it up.
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to write
a little comment to support you.
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established
blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal
but I can figure things out pretty quick.
I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you
have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you
Quality posts is the crucial to invite the users to go to see the website, that’s what this
web site is providing.
These are actually great ideas in on the topic of blogging.
You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Great article, exactly what I needed.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is
needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours
would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% positive.
Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since I saved as a favorite it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help
other people.
Saved as a favorite, I like your blog!
Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to check it out.
I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking
and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Fantastic blog and fantastic design and style.
Very nice article, exactly what I was looking for.
What i don’t realize is if truth be told how
you are not actually a lot more smartly-liked than you may be right now.
You are very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably in relation to this subject, made me in my opinion believe
it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men are not interested
unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your
personal stuffs outstanding. Always handle it up!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I
acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be
subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website
before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Thank you for another wonderful article. Where else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal approach of writing?
I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the search for such
information.
This post offers clear idea for the new users of blogging, that actually how to do blogging and site-building.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, superb blog!
Hello There. I found your weblog the usage of msn. This is an extremely neatly written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your useful info.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clearness to your submit is simply excellent
and that i could suppose you’re knowledgeable on this subject.
Well along with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to keep up to date with coming near near
post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the enjoyable work.
Hey, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, great blog!
Hello to all, the contents existing at this web site are in fact
awesome for people knowledge, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
I absolutely love your website.. Excellent colors & theme.
Did you make this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as
I’m planning to create my very own website and
want to know where you got this from or just what the
theme is named. Many thanks!
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something that helped me. Many thanks!
Wow, this post is nice, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things,
thus I am going to let know her.
Grest delivery. Solid arguments. ᛕeep ᥙр tһe good effort.
What’s up friends, how is all, and what you wish for to say concerning this piece of
writing, in my view its in fact amazing in favor
of me.
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to
write a little comment to support you.
Современные автомобили – это сложный симбиоз механики, электроники и программного обеспечения. Они оснащены множеством систем безопасности, обеспечивают комфорт и удобство во время поездок. Навигация, мультимедиа, климат-контроль – все это делает вождение приятным и безопасным.
Автомобильная индустрия постоянно развивается, стремясь к новым технологиям и решениям. Разрабатываются новые материалы, повышается эффективность двигателей, улучшается аэродинамика. Электромобили и гибриды становятся все более популярными, снижая зависимость от ископаемого топлива и уменьшая воздействие на окружающую среду. Подскажите где [url=https://империявыкупа.рф]выкупаем авто[/url]
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering issues with
your site. It looks like some of the written text within your content are running off
the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to
them too? This could be a problem with my internet browser
because I’ve had this happen before. Thanks
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I to find It
really useful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to provide one thing back and aid others like
you helped me.
Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not understanding anything fully, however this article offers good understanding yet.
Hey! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could
find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours
and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about
this, like you wrote the guide in it or something. I believe that you just could
do with some % to force the message house a bit, however instead of that, that is great blog.
A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because
I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking
at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point
me in the direction of a good platform.
Why users still use to read news papers when in this technological world everything
is existing on net?
I really like reading through a post that will make people think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers but this piece of writing is actually
a pleasant paragraph, keep it up.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we communicate?
For most up-to-date information you have
to go to see internet and on the web I found this site as a finest web
site for newest updates.