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

33,501 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)”

  4. This is a very informative post.
    It clearly explains
    how online cricket streaming works
    in a
    simple and easy-to-understand way.

    A lot of users are curious
    how to access live sports streams
    and
    this article answers those questions well.
    Appreciate the useful content.

  5. I don’t even know how I ended up here, but
    I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger
    if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  7. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus
    i got here to go back the choose?.I am attempting to to
    find issues to improve my website!I guess its adequate to use a few of your
    concepts!!

  8. Great article, very helpful.
    It clearly explains
    how online cricket streaming works
    in a
    straightforward format.

    A lot of users are curious
    how they can watch live cricket online
    and
    this article answers those questions well.
    Thanks for putting this together.

  10. Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would really
    like to have you share some stories/information. I know
    my audience would value your work. If you’re even remotely
    interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

  11. This is a very informative post.
    This post breaks down
    how streaming platforms operate
    in a
    clear and beginner-friendly manner.

    Many people often wonder
    how they can watch live cricket online
    and
    this post provides useful insights.
    Thanks for sharing.

  12. Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your web site in web explorer, could
    test this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a large part of
    other people will miss your wonderful writing because of this problem.

  13. I used to be suggested this website by way of my cousin. I’m
    no longer certain whether or not this post is written via him as nobody else recognize such precise approximately my problem.
    You are wonderful! Thanks!

  16. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this topic to be actually something that I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I am looking forward
    for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

  18. I was recommended this website through my cousin. I am no longer positive whether this put up is written via him as nobody else know such certain approximately my difficulty.

    You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  21. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but
    after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me.

    Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

  29. I do believe all the ideas you’ve introduced for your post.

    They are really convincing and can definitely work.
    Still, the posts are very brief for newbies. May just you please prolong them a bit from
    next time? Thank you for the post.

  30. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post
    was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  34. Hi there! I understand this is kind of off-topic
    but I needed to ask. Does operating a well-established blog
    such as yours require a lot of work? I am brand new to
    writing a blog however I do write in my diary everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my personal experience and thoughts
    online. Please let me know if you have any ideas or
    tips for brand new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  35. We stumbled over here from a different website and thought I may as well check things out.
    I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to exploring your
    web page for a second time.

  37. Wow that was odd. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m
    not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted
    to say excellent blog!

  39. You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read
    something like that before. So great to discover
    somebody with a few original thoughts on this subject matter.
    Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that’s needed on the web, someone
    with a little originality!

  43. My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.
    He used to be entirely right. This put up truly made my day.
    You can not imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

Leave a Reply to football world cup match today Cancel reply

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