Ruaha and Zanzibar - September / October 2014

[Kitsafari]

@@FlyTraveler I love that wide shot of the kudu and Impala with those ancient looking tree trunks as background.

 

Also enjoying those baobab trees...

 

 

So sorry to hear that your trip is cancelled and hope that all is well soon.

[Marks]

So sorry to hear that your trip is cancelled and hope that all is well soon.

I'd like to echo these thoughts as well. Hope everything gets back to normal and you are able to get back out there and treat us to another TR soon!

[FlyTraveler]

Sad to hear there will be no exchange of Kgalagadi experiences; maybe next year?!

 

Hopefully some day...

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

Once again I am back to this TR after a long pause and continue with the morning game drive on Oct. 03, 2014.

A few more photos taken with my old D50 with a kit lens. Alphonce crossing the Mwagusi dry riverbed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baobabs and ostriches:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pair of African fish eagles on a dry tree:

 

 

 

 

Two photos of the usually ignored (by myself) Helmeted guineafowls:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next I somehow felt the presence of a leopard for no apparent reason. Was there a leopard? We will find out in my next post.

Edited April 7, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

As I mentioned in my previous post during the morning game drive I felt the presence of a leopard for no apparent reason. Two-three minutes later Alphonce said "Chui" and showed us the leopard up in a sausage tree. No idea what made me think of a leopard just a few minutes earlier, now I feel sorry that I didn't share my thoughts with Alphonce and my wife immediately.

The leopard was up in the tree and kept an eye on us. Alphonce used his mobile phone to let two other guides know about the sighting, but until they arrived we were alone with the leopard for about 30 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later on the famous Italian guide Lorenzo Rossi from Kwihala Safari Camp drove by, saw our vehicles and joined us at the sighting. I were kind of proud that Alphonce found the leopard for him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed under the tree for almost two hours waiting for the leopard to come down on the ground. This reminded me of our first leopard sighting with the Masai guide and now friend of ours Joshua in Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya in 2013. Then we waited for quite a while for the leopard to get down the tree and I was able to get some decent photos when he finally did so. This time I lowered the shutter speed a lot in order to be able to get good exposure with the limited light in-between the branches. Didn't expect the leopard to jump down the tree so quickly and when it did, all I got from the several shots that I fired were blurry images. So, just images of the leopard in the tree this time...

Edited April 7, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[Tom Kellie]

~ Hello, @@FlyTraveler!

 

You've utterly hooked my attention with the terrific image above.

The interplay between immense baobab and comparatively diminutive ostriches is unexpected.

I like the golden color. It makes me wonder if some species, having different optical nerves than us, might see their world like this.

What's not to like about this very fine photograph?

I admire the clear focus on the healthy foliage, contrasted with the semi-concealed yet clearly visible leopard.

I've looked at the photo on my screen while waiting to post a reply — it's a winner! Perhaps to my taste more authentic than a full-on leopard-on-the-ground shot.

Ruaha has slowly started to stir in my consciousness, thus your trip report is of high interest.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

[FlyTraveler]

 

post-46619-0-49466200-1428398966.jpg

~ Hello, @@FlyTraveler!

 

You've utterly hooked my attention with the terrific image above.

The interplay between immense baobab and comparatively diminutive ostriches is unexpected.

I like the golden color. It makes me wonder if some species, having different optical nerves than us, might see their world like this.

post-46619-0-68050300-1428399956.jpg

What's not to like about this very fine photograph?

I admire the clear focus on the healthy foliage, contrasted with the semi-concealed yet clearly visible leopard.

I've looked at the photo on my screen while waiting to post a reply — it's a winner! Perhaps to my taste more authentic than a full-on leopard-on-the-ground shot.

Ruaha has slowly started to stir in my consciousness, thus your trip report is of high interest.

With Appreciation,

Tom K.

 

 

Hi Tom,

 

Thanks for the good words. I have not actually thought so much in depth about the photos... Just love Africa, wild animals and the scenery in the national parks and reserves.

 

Ruaha is really a special place, I learned about it here on this website. There are a number of excellent reports about Ruaha NP with amazing photographs. I would recommend this place without any hesitation.

 

Once again, thanks for your interest.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

I am continuing with this morning game drive and another journey of Masai giraffes at the bank of the Great Ruaha River:

 

 

 

 

Then we stopped to observe a troop of baboons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great egrets, Yellow-billed stork and a Gray heron in Ruaha River:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 8, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

A baboon on top of a termite mound with group of Impalas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elephants under the shade of the acacia trees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A harem of Impalas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another pride of lions at the bank of Ruaha River:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P. S. I could use some help with the ID of this bird (@@michael-ibk or anyone else)?

Edited April 8, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[Tom Kellie]

Pith Helmet in Botanical Green

Size XXXXXXXXL

(Is that Pachyderm a Ruaha-based member of the Order of the Pith?)

~ @FlyTraveler:

 

That's the very sort of waterbirds with water image that I struggle to achieve but nearly always fall short of.

A Very Big Like!

The spacing between the subjects and lighting are ideal.

Tom K.

[graceland]

The elie that @@Tom Kellie posted above is one of my favs. Thanks for bringing my memories of the Great Ruaha River back...it feels like a lifetime ago that we were walking and hiking with Moli. I think it was actually just a year and half.

 

It looks the same, but you had many more sightings of course. On foot game can be scarce, scared, scary; sometimes; no times; and something you never expect.. but fun...great fun!

 

Wish I could help you with the bird ID. I am just NOW getting into birds. Takes a while you know when all you ever wanted was to see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes. - from the books read to me growing up.

 

I've only had 6 safaris, I hope by 8...I'll know more!

Edited April 8, 2015 by graceland

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, afternoon game drive.

 

 

This afternoon game drive took us again to the banks of Ruaha River towards the confluence with Mwagusi River. We wanted to check on the pride of lions that we saw during the morning game drive.

The first sighting was a breeding herd of elephants climbing the bank of the river after having a drink:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pair of African fish eagles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great egret:

 

 

 

 

 

A hippo going out of the pool and into the river:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, afternoon game drive.

 

 

The second sighting for this afternoon were a couple of elephants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we found the pride that we were watching during the morning drive and stopped to observe some behavior. The pried consisted of adult females and sub-adult males and females.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

The elie that @@Tom Kellie posted above is one of my favs. Thanks for bringing my memories of the Great Ruaha River back...it feels like a lifetime ago that we were walking and hiking with Moli. I think it was actually just a year and half.

 

It looks the same, but you had many more sightings of course. On foot game can be scarce, scared, scary; sometimes; no times; and something you never expect.. but fun...great fun!

 

Wish I could help you with the bird ID. I am just NOW getting into birds. Takes a while you know when all you ever wanted was to see elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes. - from the books read to me growing up.

 

I've only had 6 safaris, I hope by 8...I'll know more!

 

~ @@graceland:

 

Ah, the ‘Under the Green Pith’ elephant. It's a classic.

You've visited the Ruaha?

In your 6 safaris, you've way outdone what I've seen in 7!

That you're getting into birds is a consolation for me, who has little more than birds to show from Tsavo West.

However, a surprise from there will be posted, in the near future.

@@graceland, I'm serious — birds double the happiness on a safari.

Where there's few animals around, birds are often to be found. (My rhyme for the day)

When I'm back in Kenya, three weeks from tomorrow, my lens will seek out birds of interest.

BTW, speaking of ‘Pith’, I just noticed that your post number is on the cusp of the hard-to-attain threshold.

If you cross over tomorrow and assume the perquisites and emoluments of a member of the Order of the Pith, I'll be proud to tell others: “I knew @@graceland when...”.

Hmm...

Does Lipault offer a bespoke Pith Helmet service, fittings done on safari?

Tom K.

[graceland]

@@Tom Kellie, so they are called "Under the Green Pith" elephant. How appropriate!

 

When I noticed my number of postings, I gasped, became anxious and shut down ST! I've been a member for over five years...many months of reading and lurking, afraid to even speak online. What if no one responded to me? Or snubbed me; a very new and inexperienced Africa safari wanna be. Scary for a newbie to Africa.

 

Now, I am very comfortable in my own skin; little as I know I willingly share; many mistakes I make I can laugh as well; learning new and more - insatiable.

 

Without the advice and information gleaned fromST, I'd never have gone on a mobile experience as we did in Ruaha, Tz..with a brand new Expedition Outfitter, their third guests in an area no one had traversed previously.

 

Spending week with a guide and ranger, walking miles each day - never a path; we made our own -

 

however @@Zim Girl surpassed me when she went a few months later; and if you are into reading all things Africa, and not just Kenya her trip report tells it all

 

http://safaritalk.net/topic/13305-moli-magic-in-mpululu/

 

 

Lipault Pith Helmet? I do hope they make a purse (non - leather of course)

I would hate to see my hat hair!

 

And thanks for noticing...

 

Next up.....Birding safari ~ well, along with my favorite mammals..

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie, so they are called "Under the Green Pith" elephant. How appropriate!

 

When I noticed my number of postings, I gasped, became anxious and shut down ST! I've been a member for over five years...many months of reading and lurking, afraid to even speak online. What if no one responded to me? Or snubbed me; a very new and inexperienced Africa safari wanna be. Scary for a newbie to Africa.

 

Now, I am very comfortable in my own skin; little as I know I willingly share; many mistakes I make I can laugh as well; learning new and more - insatiable.

 

Without the advice and information gleaned fromST, I'd never have gone on a mobile experience as we did in Ruaha, Tz..with a brand new Expedition Outfitter, their third guests in an area no one had traversed previously.

 

Spending week with a guide and ranger, walking miles each day - never a path; we made our own -

 

however @@Zim Girl surpassed me when she went a few months later; and if you are into reading all things Africa, and not just Kenya her trip report tells it all

 

http://safaritalk.net/topic/13305-moli-magic-in-mpululu/

 

 

Lipault Pith Helmet? I do hope they make a purse (non - leather of course)

I would hate to see my hat hair!

 

And thanks for noticing...

 

Next up.....Birding safari ~ well, along with my favorite mammals..

 

 

 

~ @@graceland:

 

You're on the dais, mounting the palm frond covered steps.

@@Game Warden stands there, custom Lipault Pith Handbag at the ready.

Rumble of drums, grunt of hippo, wail of hyena, roar of lion, and loudest of all, the call of one hundred eles !!!!!!!!!

Over five years of ups and downs, comments, jokes, reports, questions, and encouragement to newbies like me, you're in the fabled Order of the Pith!

May 1,000 ostriches do their mating dance! May 100 cheetahs race in circles! May 10 rhinos stamp their feet in unison. May 1 mountain bongo go racing past!

Well deserved, dear @@graceland. May your future safaris be many, may your insect bites be few, and may leopards attend your every game drive.

Tom K.

[graceland]

@@Tom Kellie,

 

How can I not respond to this (except don't get ahead of yourself)

 

I think @@Game Warden is the Number one GAME WARDEN OF THE PITH and "All things Safaritalk

 

He may just let this post Slip between the bottles of armarula in his office, and not notice; hoping he does not lose vast numbers of really worthwhile, knowledgeable, well travelled and conservation minded members of ST in protest (well I did say "no leather") - not too mention exceptional photography and writing skills.

 

How did I even get here?

 

Well, one good thing, my DH mentioned this morning, I guess this means WE HAVE to go on another safari...I needed to write some trip reports to justify this honor - a very good reason to wear a pith (or carry a pith purse, whatever)

 

Thank you though, Tom for your toast; you are going to be a fun member of Safaritalk, as proficient as the writings you present; amazing photography; along with using words (mostly latin) I do not know and need to "Wiki"- and you TEACH -as well as introduce your students to Africa....

 

What more could we ever want in a new member. Welcome again!

 

Time for me to get on to my real job.

 

Meanwhile here is one of my fav. leopards from Leopard Gorge...it would be nice to go back and see him grown up!

 

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

@@Tom Kellie,

 

How can I not respond to this (except don't get ahead of yourself)

 

I think @@Game Warden is the Number one GAME WARDEN OF THE PITH and "All things Safaritalk

 

He may just let this post Slip between the bottles of armarula in his office, and not notice; hoping he does not lose vast numbers of really worthwhile, knowledgeable, well travelled and conservation minded members of ST in protest (well I did say "no leather") - not too mention exceptional photography and writing skills.

 

How did I even get here?

 

Well, one good thing, my DH mentioned this morning, I guess this means WE HAVE to go on another safari...I needed to write some trip reports to justify this honor - a very good reason to wear a pith (or carry a pith purse, whatever)

 

Thank you though, Tom for your toast; you are going to be a fun member of Safaritalk, as proficient as the writings you present; amazing photography; along with using words (mostly latin) I do not know and need to "Wiki"- and you TEACH -as well as introduce your students to Africa....

 

What more could we ever want in a new member. Welcome again!

 

Time for me to get on to my real job.

 

Meanwhile here is one of my fav. leopards from Leopard Gorge...it would be nice to go back and see him grown up!

 

IMG_1355-4.jpg

 

 

 

~ @@graceland, Lady of the Pith:

 

It's a fait accompli.

You did it. Very proud of your continuous support of Safaritalk over the years.

Like your ‘Lipault Ladies’ safari partners, @@Kitsafari and @@SafariChick, your love of nature, especially of animals, is glowingly apparent in all of your posts.

• By far the best part of this 2,000th post is the positive news that your husband is ready to consider the NEXT safari.

There's no need to walk across both Victoria Falls and Murchison Falls in a camouflage tutu, nor is there any imperative for you and your husband to tandem parasail from the crest of Kilimanjaro into an Amboseli safari lodge for a sundowner of Sauternes and passion juice.

You don't even need to photograph an Okapi, an Aardwolf and a Gorilla doing the hokey-pokey around a befuddled Pangolin.

All that's needed is for you and your husband is to smile, laugh, sigh and be happy together wherever it might be, keeping an eye out for the occasional passing leopard.

With Congratulations,

Tom K.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Tom Kellie

[michael-ibk]

I could use some help with the ID of this bird

I´d say White-Crowned Lapwing.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, afternoon game drive.

 

 

We stayed with the lion pride for quite a while and watched the youngsters playing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 9, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[FlyTraveler]

 

I could use some help with the ID of this bird

I´d say White-Crowned Lapwing.

 

 

 

Thanks Michael! You always help me with birds ID-s...

 

[michael-ibk]

Who knows, I could be wrong all the time.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, afternoon game drive.

 

 

A few more images of the playing young lions. The saddest thing was the they were playing with a bag from potato chips. Who would think that this could happen at a remote and kind of wild park as Ruaha...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyTraveler]

Who knows, I could be wrong all the time.

 

No, you are not... I always double check on Google images. Once I have a name it's easy I hope you had a great safari in India, looking forward to seeing the report and the photos!

[graceland]

Oct. 03, 2014. Ruaha National Park, afternoon game drive.

 

 

A few more images of the playing young lions. The saddest thing was the they were playing with a bag from potato chips. Who would think that this could happen at a remote and kind of wild park as Ruaha...

 

 

11000352_10204774597498741_5679566065375816765_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

11004534_10204774592458615_8141862984724932624_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

10996440_10204774613579143_1009489951159619782_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

1658488_10204774619819299_6603836630614484542_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

11002684_10204774602098856_8134869420274406249_o.jpg

 

 

 

 

11044994_10204774604858925_4687850856938208947_o.jpg

OH no, now they will develop a taste for salt.

 

You know what that means....do not SWEAT on safari!

 

Great shots Fly, you had such awesome viewing in Ruaha. I did love that park..and I recognized some of the areas, the banks of the river for instance - I could swear I saw the same elies.

And on our last day, Moli COOKED lunch every day, no boxes for him; a pride of lions sat and watch. We never knew until we left.

 

What a place!

 

@@Tom Kellie

 

My first Mobile experience. We wanted to get out of vehicle and walk.- sleep in real tents on the ground..if you have a minute between classes,

you can skim through! (I don't usually do Mara Plains style always!)

 

http://safaritalk.net/topic/11573-kichaka-expeditions-first-walking-safari-sept-2013/