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.
I wanted to thank you for this very good read!! I definitely loved every bit of it.
I’ve got you saved as a favorite to look at new things you post…
Quality content is the crucial to attract
the people to go to see the web site, that’s what this web site is providing.
constantly i used to read smaller content that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which
I am reading here.
Good day I am so excited I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Askjeeve
for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round enjoyable
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to go through it all at the moment but I have saved it
and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I
will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up
the fantastic job.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you make this website yourself or did you
hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and
would like to know where u got this from. thanks a
lot
If some one needs expert view concerning blogging and site-building then i advise
him/her to go to see this weblog, Keep up the fastidious work.
Outstanding story there. What happened after?
Take care!
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice,
keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks
You’re so cool! I don’t think I’ve truly read something like that
before. So good to discover someone with genuine thoughts on this issue.
Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is
something that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
Touche. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the good effort.
Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead
and give you a shout out from Humble Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep
up the excellent job!
Pretty part of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts.
Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment and even I success you get entry to constantly
fast.
Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to
put this short article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time
both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Good forum posts, With thanks!
Definitely believe that which you stated.
Your favorite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider 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-effects
, people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
Thanks
What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it
has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid other
customers like its aided me. Great job.
Very rapidly this web site will be famous among all blog viewers, due to it’s good posts
Great blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost
on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress
or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally confused ..
Any tips? Thanks a lot!
Hey! This post could not be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate!
He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
Many thanks!
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so
I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying
your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to
everything. Do you have any tips and hints
for beginner blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.
If you wish for to obtain a great deal from this piece of writing
then you have to apply these techniques to your won website.
Incredible story there. What happened after? Take care!
Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What web host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded
up as quickly as yours lol
Quality posts is the secret to attract the viewers
to pay a quick visit the web page, that’s what this site is providing.
Normally I don’t learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it!
Your writing taste has been surprised me.
Thanks, very great article.
Hi every one, here every one is sharing such knowledge, therefore it’s good to read this
blog, and I used to go to see this blog daily.
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she wishes to be available
that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. That is an extremely neatly written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to
read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
Heya are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started
and create my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!
Good post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Thanks!
Having read this I believed it was rather enlightening.
I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of
time both reading and leaving comments. But
so what, it was still worthwhile!
Link exchange is nothing else but it is only placing the other
person’s blog link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not
working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any solutions to help fix this problem?
I savor, lead to I found exactly what I used to be taking a look for.
You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful.
I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you
say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I cant wait to read far more from you. This is really a terrific web
site.
This article will help the internet visitors for creating new website or even a blog from start to end.
Hi friends, how is everything, and what you want to say on the topic of this paragraph, in my view its in fact awesome designed for me.
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Very shortly this web site will be famous amid all blogging
and site-building users, due to it’s nice articles or reviews
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website.
I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you later on as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own website now 😉
I read this paragraph completely on the topic of the resemblance of most recent and earlier technologies, it’s awesome article.
Terrific work! That is the type of information that should be shared across
the internet. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this
post higher! Come on over and discuss with
my web site . Thanks =)
Thank you for the good writeup. It in reality used to be a amusement account it.
Glance complex to far delivered agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
With havin so much content do you ever run into
any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? 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 methods to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d genuinely appreciate it.