Ruaha and Zanzibar - September / October 2014

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 04, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Afternoon game drive

As usual I spent the short time between drives (about two and a half hours including time for lunch) going through the photos of the day, deleting the non-keepers and backing up the rest of the images both on the hard drive of my notebook and on external drive. Temperatures were so high that I would need to take s short shower perhaps twice during this process. There wasn't any problem with the hot water, the problem was having a cold water While I was "scratching my addiction" my better half would take a short and sweet nap.

The first sighting on the afternoon drive was a group of Ground hornbills, which we have seen at numerous locations in East and South Africa before, including 2 previous sightings in Ruaha on this trip:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This looked to me like White-bellied bustard. Is it? Any other suggestions (@michael-ibk)?

 

 

 

 

Two panoramic shots of the incredible Ruaha landscape:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple or Ruaha hornbills which are officially recognized as sub-species and can be fond only in this park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purple roller:

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 04, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Afternoon game drive

 

Elephants eating the very dry branches of the trees (at the height of the dry season):

 

 

 

 

And again a Kirk's dik-dik - very popular sighting on the southern side of Mwagusi river:

 

 

 

 

Mwagusi dry riverbed with Mwagusi safari camp:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last sighting of the buffalo herds around Mwagusi river. The rays of the setting sun can be seen through the holes in the clouds. Unfortunately my dream to witness an interaction between lions and buffaloes in Ruaha NP did not materialize.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[graceland]

Buffalo sure do roam in Ruaha! Saw so many as well, and the lovely landscapes along the river I remember with the palms, water and great herds.

[michael-ibk]

Really like the panoramic shots, almost didn´t notice the Impala in there. And that camp does have a great place for a boma indeed! I´d agree with the Bustard.

[TonyQ]

Loveley pictures of the buffalo with the sun coming through the clouds behind them. Very nice pictures of the hornbills also!

[Kitsafari]

you captured the beauty and magic of Ruaha and its residents so well.

[FlyTraveler]

Thanks @@TonyQ, @@graceland, @@Kitsafari and @@michael-ibk for following the report and for the good words!

[FlyTraveler]

... And that camp does have a great place for a boma indeed! I´d agree with the Bustard.

 

I think that the camp management is quite brave, setting the boma in the riverbed just two weeks after the lion incident with their guide... Thanks for confirming the ID of the bird!

[michael-ibk]

Oh, I totally forgot about that, you´re right - I certainly would feel nervous sitting if I knew of such a tragedy ocurring just weeks ago.

[Atravelynn]

That's great you saw the subspecies of Ruaha hornbills. The buffalo-sky shots are beautiful.

 

I couldn't find the lion-guide incident you reference.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 04, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Afternoon game drive

 

A few more photos of the buffalo herd at the end of our last afternoon game drive in Ruaha:

 

 

 

 

A single horned bull:

 

 

 

This is the true meaning of the expression "To have balls":

 

 

 

Egyptian geese pair:

 

 

This was the last sighting for the day, then we had to rush in order to make it to the cottage before dark.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 05, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Last game drive.

This was our last day in Ruaha NP. We were departing on the early afternoon Safari Air Link flight to Zanzibar. Still, we had time for a nice morning game drive which as most last drives we had on safari turned out to be very productive. We didn't want to venture too far into the park on this last day so the drive was near Ruaha River.

Last sunrise behind a baobab tree at Ruaha National Park:

Mrs. FlyTraveler and Yours truly on this last game drive:

I asked Alphonce to show us the TANAPA government owned bandas, which were at a different location - right at the bank of Ruaha river. There wasn't such a panoramic view as from the cottages where we stayed, but the location was amazing in terms of both scenery and especially proximity to wildlife. Here are some photos of the bandas:

The ablution style toilets and showers looked reasonably clean:




Interior of a banda:




Gazebos right next to the river:




If I have a chance to revisit Ruaha NP, I would consider staying at these bandas for the modest price of just 30 dollars p.p.p.n.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 05, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Last game drive.

Some landscape images of the Great Ruaha River taken during the golden hour:

There was a pair of mating lions just on the other bank of the river. Too bad that we could not get closer. A good telephoto lens would have helped, as well:

[TonyQ]

@@FlyTraveler

Tha landscapes in that last post are really beautiful!

[graceland]

@@FlyTraveler,

 

Beautiful landscapes and memories of Ruaha through your report and photos.

 

I remember seeing those Bandas when Molii picked us up; 30Bucks...wow. Bring your own fan!

 

Really enjoyed following you and Mrs. Fly around Ruaha.

[FlyTraveler]

Thanks for the good words @@TonyQ and @@graceland! There were some really nice sightings on this last game drive, so I am not quite over with this Ruaha trip yet...

[graceland]

Thanks for the good words @@TonyQ and @@graceland! There were some really nice sightings on this last game drive, so I am not quite over with this Ruaha trip yet...

oh good! surprises await!

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 05, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Last game drive.

While we were watching the mating lions on the other side of Ruaha River, a flock of Great white egrets (are they?) flew over us:

 

 

Then a mixed flock of Yellow-billed storks and African spoonbills followed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow-billed stork in flight over Ruaha River:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are those some type of Herons (@michael-ibk)?

 

[Marks]

Great job with the focus on the stork in flight. Reminds me of a similar shot I attempted with a marabou (and completely botched).

 

The bandas look really reasonable for that price!

[michael-ibk]

Fantastic BIFs! Grey Herons, I'd say.

[FlyTraveler]

Fantastic BIFs! Grey Herons, I'd say.

 

Thanks for your help (once again) @@michael-ibk!

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 05, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Last game drive.

On this last game drive in Ruaha we had one of the very best birds' displays that we have seen. Hamerkops in flight:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the meantime the flocks of Yellow-billed storks with occasional African spoonbills kept coming:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gregor]

@ Flytravler

This is an fantastic and epic trip report. Lots of cred to you for bringing it to us. Ruaha really is different in dry season, and I would definitely consider going back there (but then in the dry season.) I would not consider the bandas. For 20 dollars extra you get the really nice cottages and the view...

[FlyTraveler]

@ Flytravler

This is an fantastic and epic trip report. Lots of cred to you for bringing it to us. Ruaha really is different in dry season, and I would definitely consider going back there (but then in the dry season.) I would not consider the bandas. For 20 dollars extra you get the really nice cottages and the view...

 

Hi @@Gregor,

 

Thanks for the good words. I would consider revisiting Ruaha during the green season if I have a chance, since I have seen it during the dry season. Regarding the bandas, you are right that just for 20 dollars per person per night difference in the price is not worth going to the bandas. I believe, though that the location of the bandas despite of not having the same panoramic views as the cottages is better in terms of wildlife proximity - right next to the river. We watched the mating lions and all the birds on this last day just about 200-300 meters from the bandas. Either of the two options is a great value for the money...

Edited May 28, 2015 by FlyTraveler

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 05, 2014. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Last game drive.

More and more birds were coming, this was a particularly exciting low-level flight over Ruaha River:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landing birds: