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

47,191 thoughts on “Day 3 – Safari (Moru Kopjes & Gong Rock)”

  1. An aussie casino online delivers adapted services.
    Familiar transacgion methods make navigation easier.
    Players often look for simple verification before starting.

    Entertainment libraries are arranged to suit different tastes.
    Responsible play ools support controlled activity. As a result, the platform
    creates a user-friendly setting for players from the area.

  2. Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative
    in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided
    us useful information to work on. You have done a extraordinary
    job!

  4. An Australian online casino with quick withdrawals emphasizes efgficient processing.
    When a withdrawal request is submitted, digital checks are triggered.
    Local payment solutionms help ensure reliable completion. Clear
    withdrawal policies reduce delays. Alongside speed, protected systems mqintains user confidence.
    As a result, this format provides a player-oriented solution for
    Austtralian users.

  6. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you
    amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site?
    The account aided me a appropriate deal. I had been a
    little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny transparent concept

  7. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways,
    just wanted to say excellent blog!

  8. While this issue can vexed most people, my thought is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do value that you’ve added pertinent and sound commentary here though. Thank you!

  9. من بعد از مدتی استفاده از این سایت پیش بینی فوتبال متوجه شدم که انتخاب‌ها کمتر بر اساس حس انجام میشه. پیش بینی مسابقات فوتبال امروز با داده‌های آماری و فرم تیم‌ها دقیق‌تر شده. پیش بینی فوتبال حرفه اي اینجا بیشتر به سمت تحلیل‌محور بودن رفته. برای کسی که دنبال بهترین پیش بینی فوتبال امروز هست، این رویکرد خیلی کاربردیه.

  10. of course like your web-site however you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality then again I will surely come back again.

  11. Hey there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors
    or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding
    knowledge so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
    Any help would be enormously appreciated!

  17. Abnormal this put up is totaly unrelated to what I was searching google for, but it surely used to be listed at the first page. I suppose your doing one thing proper if Google likes you adequate to place you at the first page of a non similar search.

  23. Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in internet explorer, might check
    this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a good part of other folks
    will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.

  26. Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit
    once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may
    you be rich and continue to guide others.

  27. hi!,I like your writing very much! proportion we keep in touch more about your
    article on AOL? I need an expert in this area to solve my problem.
    Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to look you.

  31. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very helpful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for
    such info a lot. I was looking for this certain info for
    a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  33. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after going through
    a few of the articles I realized it’s new to
    me. Regardless, I’m definitely happy I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it
    and checking back frequently!

  36. you’re in reality a just right webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a great process on this topic!

  39. An online casino tailored for Australian players delivers
    adapted services. Familiar transaction methods make usage smoother.
    Players often look for quijck registration before starting.

    Game selections are arranyed to match varied interests.

    Account controls support safe engagement. Overall, the platform creates a comfortable environment
    for local audiences.

  42. I’m very happy to uncover this web site. I need to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!!
    I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you book marked to check out
    new things in your blog.

Leave a Reply

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