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

33,274 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)”

  1. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading
    it, you’re a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and
    will eventually come back later in life. I want to encourage you
    continue your great job, have a nice morning!

  2. My partner and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might
    as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web page again.

  5. You can certainly see your expertise in the article you write.

    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe.
    All the time follow your heart.

  6. Wonderful work! This is the kind of info that are meant to
    be shared across the internet. Disgrace on Google for not positioning
    this submit upper! Come on over and consult with my website .
    Thank you =)

  8. IGM 247 adalah penyedia live gaming dan betting online Asia terbaru 2024 yang menawarkan ragam game slot terbaru, layanan trading, serta hadiah menang besar.
    Bergabunglah dengan Igamble247 dan nikmati layanan bermain aman dengan hadiah menarik setiap hari.
    Join sekarang dan mulai kemenangan Anda.

  9. ВЗапах свежеиспеченных имбирных пряников смешивается с густым ароматом пихты Фразера, создавая неповторимую симфонию рождественских праздников. В доме царит атмосфера волшебства и предвкушения чуда, словно сама зима замерла, чтобы прислушаться к тихой мелодии рождественских колокольчиков.
    Пышные ветви пихты Фразера, украшенные сверкающими шарами и мерцающими огоньками гирлянд, словно приглашают погрузиться в сказочный мир. Каждая игрушка на ней – это маленькая история, воспоминание о прошлых Рождествах, о близких людях, о радостных моментах, которые согревают душу и наполняют сердце теплом.
    Легкий треск горящих поленьев в камине добавляет уюта и тепла, а на окнах мороз рисует причудливые узоры, напоминая о красоте зимней природы. За окном кружится снег, укутывая землю белым покрывалом, словно создавая идеальный фон для рождественской сказки.
    Именно в эти моменты, когда кажется, что время останавливается, мы особенно остро чувствуем ценность семьи, дружбы и любви. Пихта Фразера становится символом этих ценностей, напоминая о том, что самое важное – это быть вместе, дарить тепло и заботу друг другу и верить в чудеса, которые обязательно случатся, если в них искренне верить. Подкажите какой должна быть идеальная [url=http://www.elki.site/kupit-zhivuyu-elku/pikhta-frazer/]пихта фразера 3 метра[/url]

  10. Heya i’m for the primary time here. I came across this board and
    I to find It truly helpful & it helped me out much.
    I am hoping to present one thing again and aid others like you aided me.

  11. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should publish more on this topic, it might not be
    a taboo subject but typically people do not discuss these topics.
    To the next! Cheers!!

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

  23. 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.

  25. I am actually happy to read this website posts which consists of
    tons of valuable information, thanks for providing these kinds
    of information.

  26. With havin so much written content do you ever run into
    any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My website has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement.
    Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate
    it.

  27. I’ve been surfing on-line greater than three hours as of late, but I by no means found any interesting
    article like yours. It’s pretty value sufficient for me.
    Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content
    material as you did, the internet will probably be a lot more useful
    than ever before.

  30. Undeniably believe that which you stated.
    Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the easiest
    thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed
    while people think about worries that they just do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side
    effect , people could take a signal. Will likely
    be back to get more. Thanks

  32. Good day I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while
    I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say
    cheers for a fantastic post and a all round exciting blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more,
    Please do keep up the excellent work.

  40. دنیا بت یکی از سایت‌های معتبر و محبوب شرط بندی آنلاین است که تجربه‌ای حرفه‌ای و هیجان‌انگیز برای کاربران فراهم می‌کند. این سایت مجموعه‌ای گسترده از بازی‌های کازینویی مانند انفجار، رولت، پوکر و بازی‌های کارتی را ارائه می‌دهد و امکان سرگرمی و کسب درآمد را به شکل همزمان فراهم می‌کند. بخش پیش‌بینی ورزشی دنیا بت با ضرایب دقیق و به‌روز، فرصتی عالی برای کاربران ایجاد می‌کند تا روی مسابقات مختلف شرط بندی کنند و شانس برد خود را افزایش دهند. امنیت بالا و استفاده از درگاه‌های پرداخت معتبر از دیگر مزایای دنیا بت است که تراکنش‌های مالی را سریع و مطمئن می‌کند. رابط کاربری ساده و روان سایت، حتی برای افراد تازه‌کار محیطی قابل دسترس و بدون استرس ایجاد کرده است. پشتیبانی ۲۴ ساعته دنیا بت تضمین می‌کند که کاربران در هر زمان بتوانند مشکلات خود را حل کنند و تجربه‌ای روان و بدون دغدغه داشته باشند. با توجه به امکانات متنوع و محیط امن، دنیا بت به یکی از انتخاب‌های اصلی علاقه‌مندان به شرط بندی آنلاین تبدیل شده است و می‌تواند تجربه‌ای جذاب، مطمئن و سودآور برای کاربران ارائه دهد.

  46. Hi, Neat post. There is an issue with your website in internet explorer, might check this?
    IE still is the market chief and a large component to other folks will pass over your great writing because of this problem.

  49. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up
    and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and
    both show the same outcome.

Leave a Reply to http://www.gocoopok.com/ Cancel reply

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