Ruaha and Zanzibar - September / October 2014

[Marks]

Sorry, I was just making a (bad) joke about the words "foal" vs "foul."

 

Definitely quite young, and handsome as well.

 

Thanks for the tip though, even that much is helpful for me. I'm really a point & shooter so I appreciate anything!

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

 

Alphonce spotted a lion pride on the opposite side of Ruaha river and we stopped to observe it for quite a long time with no other vehicles around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The young ones were playing and I felt quite bad regarding the lack of longer lens or/and the inability to approach the lions closer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bush dog]

@@FlyTraveler

 

Being more focused on close-ups and details, your report makes me rediscover Ruaha, as @@pault report's also does, with its landscapes and wide spaces' pictures. Thank you!

[FlyTraveler]

@@FlyTraveler

 

Being more focused on close-ups and details, your report makes me rediscover Ruaha, as @@pault report's also does, with its landscapes and wide spaces' pictures. Thank you!

 

Hi @@Bush dog, thanks for the good words. Although I really love landscapes, part of the reason that I shoot quite a few "wide" photos while on safari is that I neither own a good long lens nor I have great photographic abilities for tele-photo shots. I would assume that the opposite situation with you is the reason for you shooting mostly close ups, which are absolutely fantastic! We all know that the close-ups are the difficult shots in wildlife photography. I have also seen quite a few beautiful scenic photos of yours, as well...

[Bush dog]

@@FlyTraveler

 

I do not think that it's more difficult to shoot close-ups than landscapes. What is more difficult is to try to catch the essence of the animal and that is what I, humbly, try to do.

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

 

I am continuing with the lion pride that we saw on the other side of Ruaha river. I really like the combination of lions, the river bank, the baobab and the acacia trees and the hill in the background:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grey heron (please, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) landing in the middle of the river:

 

 

 

 

With fish (the image is just not sharp enough for cropping):

 

 

 

Kind of panoramic shot of the lions with the scenery:

 

 

 

 

 

A harem of impalas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pied kindfisher (not very sharp):

 

 

 

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

 

A fishing pied kingfisher sequence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Masai giraffe on the river bank:

[graceland]

Love the lions with the landscape. Pure Ruaha

 

As much as I love all the closeups of a leopard/lion's face, the cubs, etc. showing the whole scenes as you see in the moment really brings the entire beauty of the park.

 

I remember about ten years ago I read an article about Ruaha and Sealous; i contacted a UK TA who tried (and succeeded in talking me me OUT of it - suggested N. Serengeti, crcuit etc) Since I was rather disappointed in his reluctance, I gave up talking to him.

 

While i am glad I waited until last year-- as ten years ago I would not had considered the mobile (too ignorant) I am sorry to have missed it as well! I think we went to the Mara instead. And I am heading back there; though I wish I had enough time for a zip into Ruaha; though wrong time of year!

[TonyQ]

@@FlyTraveler

Beautiful wildlife in landscape sequences and a great view of the kingfisher diving and then flying off - perfect timing.

[FlyTraveler]

Thanks for your good words @@TonyQ! I find the combination of animals and scenery in Ruaha to be perhaps the best I have seen so far or at least one of the very best.

 

 

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

Some more Impalas - lots of McDonalds logos:

 

 

 

 

 

Elephants eating the bark of a baobab tree:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure if this is a Ruaha hornbill or just a common Red-billed hornbill. Anyone with a positive ID? I might have to look for the favorite vehicle-mate of @@pault and ask for help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sausage tree fruit:

 

 

 

 

And another Masai giraffe:

Edited December 16, 2014 by FlyTraveler

[Marks]

The first photo in post #206 is perfectly framed, with the hillside in the background aligning so well with the baobab. Also, great job with the pied kingfisher in action.

 

 

 

Some more Impalas - lots of McDonalds logos:

 

 

 

I've been told that impala are the "fast food of the bush" but I honestly never made this connection. I just thought it meant they were fast and often eaten, haha.

[Caracal]

@FlyTraveller - I'm thoroughly enjoying this report. Ruaha is one of my favourite parks. I never tire of its superb scenery or its wildlife which you have captured so beautifully.

The photo of Kimiramatonge Hill brought back memories of a climb to the top in 2000 and looking down on a black eagle's nest and the view all around.

Those lions lounging on the Ruaha river bank don't look like they've moved any in 14 years!

Love that dik-dik crossing but then they're all lovely photos.

[FlyTraveler]

@@Marks and @@Caracal, thanks for the attention and the good words. Ruaha is so beautiful that it makes it very hard to decide on a next safari destination, it will always be there as an alternative, even to places not visited yet.

 

 

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

We drove past a group of elephants and a young bull looked like a troublemaker to me from the very moment I saw him:

 

 

 

He not only mock-charged us, but kind of tried to cut off our way:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alphonce was very quick with switching on the engine and stepping on the acceleration pedal, not that the elephant would have charged us for real, but still it was a good idea to get away fast.

Edited December 20, 2014 by FlyTraveler

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

For a first time in Ruaha we saw warthogs which didn't run away when we came closer to them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then... another group of elephants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This may have sounded and looked a bit like a warning, but it wasn't a mock-charge:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kitsafari]

late in catching up @@FlyTraveler but bat-eared foxes! I've yet to see one properly as the one and only time i saw it was in the dark in tarangire, so all i saw was the outline of the ears. so i'm jealous.

 

 

Ruaha is beautiful - it has to be judging from all the photos from you and Paul and @zimgirl and @bushdog. i wonder how it compares with Mana Pools, another fav among ST-ers?

[FlyTraveler]

late in catching up @@FlyTraveler but bat-eared foxes! I've yet to see one properly as the one and only time i saw it was in the dark in tarangire, so all i saw was the outline of the ears. so i'm jealous.

 

 

Ruaha is beautiful - it has to be judging from all the photos from you and Paul and @zimgirl and @bushdog. i wonder how it compares with Mana Pools, another fav among ST-ers?

 

Hi @Ktsafari,

 

Thank you for the attention. If I have to be honest, we saw the bat-eared foxes from quite far away and for just a few seconds before they ran away, but still, this is the only time we have had seen these animals so far.

 

Can not compare with Mana Pools, have not been there yet, I believe that it would be a tough call if you have to choose between those two parks...

[graceland]

late in catching up @@FlyTraveler but bat-eared foxes! I've yet to see one properly as the one and only time i saw it was in the dark in tarangire, so all i saw was the outline of the ears. so i'm jealous.

 

 

Ruaha is beautiful - it has to be judging from all the photos from you and Paul and @zimgirl and @bushdog. i wonder how it compares with Mana Pools, another fav among ST-ers?

That is tough @kitsafari; though my experience in Ruaha was more limited in scope of drives as we walked most everday. So in terms of wildlife, Mana was superior - they are in camp with you day in day out. Ruaha on foot is work...you can walk for miles and not see any; then a herd of ellies appear and sneaking up is awesome. Nothing like being in a vehicle.

 

But Ruaha overall is just lovely with its varied landscapes. If I had to return though, I'd go to Zimbabwe. There was something about it with the various parks that I loved. In Mana you can stop the car....get out and sit with lions yards away. That would not happen on foot in Ruaha, in my opinion. They are not relaxed - though we saw them on one day long game drive, but too many vehicles chased US humans away

 

Going the right time to Mana as we did....mid Sept. - perfect. Not too many self drivers; and the beauty of the Zambezi river is just spectacular. The Ruaha river was dry...though that was where the lions hung out in Ruaha, along with ellies digging for river.

I guess you need to plan both

I can tell you more when I see you!!

[michael-ibk]

I'm not sure if this is a Ruaha hornbill or just a common Red-billed hornbill. Anyone with a positive ID?

Not completely sure but I think it´s neither, looks more like a Von der Decken´s Hornbill to me. Definitely not a common (Northern) Red-Billed Hornbill, those don´t have the black skin around the eyes (and I don´t think the two species are sympatric). The Ruaha Hornbill has yellow eyes, not black ones. So I think you have a male Von der Decken´s there, the creamy-yellow tip also fits.

[FlyTraveler]

 

I'm not sure if this is a Ruaha hornbill or just a common Red-billed hornbill. Anyone with a positive ID?

Not completely sure but I think it´s neither, looks more like a Von der Decken´s Hornbill to me. Definitely not a common (Northern) Red-Billed Hornbill, those don´t have the black skin around the eyes (and I don´t think the two species are sympatric). The Ruaha Hornbill has yellow eyes, not black ones. So I think you have a male Von der Decken´s there, the creamy-yellow tip also fits.

 

Yes, now after you told me, I checked photos of Von der Decken's hornbill and this one looks like it. Thanks Michael for compensating for my ignorance regarding bird species!

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

I am continuing this report with some photos of... impalas in and around Ruaha riverbed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... and some of my favorite leaping impalas photos (some more successful than others):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[graceland]

@@FlyTraveler

 

I'm glad you tried to show the gracefulness of the ballerina impalas while leaping; I find it so beautiful and yet have never captured it with the camera.

Everyone jokes about the impalas but when you watch them leap tall bushes in a single bound; you do have to stop and admire their abilities!

 

I enjoy them inmensely when out on foot and they go bounding away from us.

 

Your journey certainly was jam packed but you also managed to show the beauty of Ruaha. It really took my breath away when we visited.

[Gregor]

Hi @@FlyTraveler

 

This trip report is really an inspiration to follow, beautiful pictures and good wording. I´m now thinking Ruaha might be my next destination.

Your animalscapes is fantastic.

 

Thanks for sharing / Gregor

[FlyTraveler]

Hi @@FlyTraveler

 

This trip report is really an inspiration to follow, beautiful pictures and good wording. I´m now thinking Ruaha might be my next destination.

Your animalscapes is fantastic.

 

Thanks for sharing / Gregor

 

Hi @@FlyTraveler

 

This trip report is really an inspiration to follow, beautiful pictures and good wording. I´m now thinking Ruaha might be my next destination.

Your animalscapes is fantastic.

 

Thanks for sharing / Gregor

 

 

Thanks for your attention and the good words @@Gregor!

 

I am following and enjoying very much your photos and report about SLNP. I would like to visit the park some day, but all budget camps are just outside the gate with game drives around the relatively busy Mfwue area (except a full day game drives, which can venture deeper inside the park). Could you, please share your thoughts on what it is like to stay just outside of the gate (on your photos the sightings and scenery look great)?

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

Before I continue with the report, Merry Christmas to all members of Safaritalk!


After the impala series of photos, it's time for the giraffe series:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FlyTraveler]

Oct. 02, 2014. Ruaha National Park, morning game drive.

 

 

Another batch of giraffe photos. I wouldn't bother you with so many photos of giraffes if the beautiful Ruaha scenery wasn't presented on the images, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masai giraffe and zebras in the Ruaha riverbed. The giraffe is looking around, just to double check that there aren't any predators before assuming posture for drinking (the most vulnerable position for this anilmal):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2014 by FlyTraveler