Snapshot

Animals are healthy and we saw a good number of them. Elephant herds appeared in abundance and we witnessed different family groups performing their daily life rhythms; most were active during early mornings and late evenings. All sighted families had babies ranging in age from one-to-three months old. Good weather, plenty of food, and protection from poaching gives them a relaxing lifestyle and a good reproduction rate. We saw a pride of lions with juveniles feeding on a wildebeest. The juveniles were nearly a year old.  On one journey we saw a beautiful, healthy female Leopard just three feet from our truck. She was relaxing under an umbrella acacia tree before eventually climbing up the tree. We spotted a huge “African Rock Python” and throughout our adventures we noticed many other animals such as giraffes, impalas, wildebeest, zebras, herds of buffalo, warthogs, water bucks, spotted hyenas, Black-backed jackals, hartebeest and so much more.

Birds

Manyara is known as one of the best places for bird-watching. There we saw a good number of Silvery Cheeked horn bills. Their noisy honking is unmistakable. These big birds inhabit forest areas. The ones we spotted were mostly feeding on fig tree fruits. We spotted some Yellow-billed storks, Egyptian gees, Cormorants and African Fish Eagle. Hundreds of small birds like striped swallows were seen trying to collect some soft mud for rebuilding their nests. We saw hundreds of flamingoes in a distance in the Manyara Lake. In other areas we also saw:

* Common birds: Superb Starlings, Ashy Starlings (which are more endemic to Tarangire), Red-necked Spur Fowl (these birds where mostly seen on the ground feeding on either insects or seeds).
* Eagles: Bateleur Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Martial Eagle, Black-Chested Snake Eagle among others. Most of these birds where gliding around while some perched silently, scanning for the pray.
* Ostrich: We saw a good number of ostriches some with very young chicks.
Storks: Saddle-billed storks, Yellow-billed storks were seen hunting for fish along the marshlands and river of Tarangire.

Tarangire & Lake Manyara National Parks

The short rains started earlier this year and Tarangire National Park is already changing from the dry season appearance of grayish to all green. Trees are growing new leaves with some blooming flowers. Marsh areas, swamps and the Tarangire River are all filling up with water. Temperatures are great and it’s the time for the soil to absorb more minerals. Animals naturally fertilize these lands as they eat and leave their droppings behind.

Lake Manyara has two vegetation zones. The first zone from the entrance is the ground water forest; this zone is green all year around due to the flowing underground water from the Ngorongoro Highlands. The second is the acacia zone which has limited water supply during the dry season. The lake follows with its size fluctuate due to seasons. Everything is recently turning to green. New plants together with the old ones are greatly recovering especially along the rift Valley escarpments (which overall is rocky in nature). The lake is filling up. Animals are happy and temperature is friendly especially in the morning and evening hours. We saw troops of Olive Baboons, Blue Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, giraffes, herds of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest.

Lake Eyasi; Hadzabe and Datoga visit

We drove early from the Plantation lodge where we had our stay and headed to Lake Eyasi to catch-up with the Hadzabe people, so as to join them for a hunt. Typically hunts do take place in early morning hours. We were there on the right time. The Hadza people had just woken-up and were warming their hunting equipments (bow and arrows). They participate in a communal smoking before setting off to the bush for a hunt. We walked with them through their hunting area. They could hunt anything they think is good for them to eat; birds, squirrels, monkeys, or large mammals. During the hunt they got a few birds and a squirrel. The most interesting thing our clients learned is the way the Hadza communicate as they hunt; which is loud compared to anyone else. They rely highly on finding animal droppings or foot prints and they speed walk. They mostly eat raw food. After we returned from the hunt, we participated on targeting and they performed a happy song for us. There where remains of the past hunted animals like olive baboon, lesser Kudu, Kirks Dikdik and Vervet Monkeys. We also learned how they make clothes to cover only minimal parts of their bodies, made from the skin of the animals they hunt. It was a great experience.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area

From the entrance though the forest, mornings are misty, foggy and wet. Weather is nice with scattered rain showers. We saw three prides of lions out of five crater prides. Most of the lions were active in the morning hours, and we saw some eating. This time seemed like a mating season for most lions as we observed them in both Ngorongoro and the Serengeti National Park. In the crater we saw lions, cheetahs, Spotted Hyenas, and also a mini carnivore; the Black-backed Jackal. The rare Black Rhino did well on our list as well. Zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, hartebeest, Thomson & Grant gazelles, and hippos are among the many animals we saw in the crater. Maasai boys were tending cattle close to the village. Outside the forest side to the west it’s still dry despite some rains falling on that part. This part is often dry so it needs a big amount of rains for the vegetation to properly recover. There were dry land survivors like Thomson gazelles, ostriches and Maasai people.

The Serengeti National Park

The Great Migration is back.  A few weeks ago we had huge herds covering a large area in the central part of the Serengeti. Their movements are slow. They will keep moving west into the Maswa Game Reserve where it tends to be wetter. The Maswa Reserve is adjacent to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro on the South Western side. The migrants will cover the area within the Serengeti Kusini plains and Ndutu Woodlands. Some groups will still be in the Central Serengeti, Moru Kopjes and Simba kopjes. The Western Corridor has a number of resident wildebeest and zebra, and hopefully the number will increase as the migrants move through, heading south. In Seronera saw long lines of zebras walking across the Gol area, taking up a direction towards Ndutu woodlands. The Naabi Hill was simply covered with wildebeest. There were big numbers of Thomson and Grants gazelles on the Southern plains.

The Serengeti North-Ololosokwan Concession:

A visit to this area is in the North East of the Serengeti National Park. This is an area where Maasai interact closely with wild animals and yet conservation measures are taking place. In this area, we are permitted to partake in activities which are not accessible inside the National Parks, such as nature walking, night-drives, and village visits. On our journey here we engaged in all of them. We walked through the Maasai tending cattle in a traditional way; cattle had different kinds of marks on their bodies for family or clan identification. They had small bells hanging around their necks. There were different kinds of bones on the ground; many of those bones are from the dead cows due to a bad drought season which had occurred 3 years ago.  We saw monkeys, tree hyrax along the river forest, and various birds. We came across some temporary Maasai houses which are constructed by warriors to stay in for a short time as they tend their cows into a far distance from their homes. They abandon them once weather condition recovers.

On our night drive we had a great sighting of a lion pride including twelve lions; four lionesses with eight juvenile cubs approximately 1 year old. This pride took down a buffalo the night before as we found the remains of the fresh carcass during our day game drive 7 hours earlier. They where wet as it has just stopped raining. They seemed relaxed and didn’t care so much about our night lights and camera flashes.

The Mara Triangle

These is such a famous area, it’s where the migration of wildebeest seek refuge for water and pastures after departing the Southern Serengeti plains and it is where their long and risky journey starts. At the moment it’s very quiet as the migrants left a few weeks ago. Mara River is full and no one can dare cross it now. As more rain comes in the water level rises and the currents become stronger. This river runs west and eventually empties into Lake Victoria. Even though the migrants have left, there are a good number of resident animals. We spotted lions, cheetahs, a leopard with her kill, Black Rhinoceros, Elephants, giraffes, and Nile crocodiles to list just a few.

Our clients had a wonderful experience with P.A.S. We look forward into guiding you, your friends and family to the African bush while sharing our extensive knowledge and skills with you. Happy Festival Season!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

Snapshot

After covering hundreds of miles between Tanzania’s Serengeti  National Park and the Maasai Mara, thousands of wildebeest were roaming the free territory and crossing the banks of the Mara River; it was thrilling to us as we watched nature takes its course!, In October’s safaris we also saw cheetahs, some walking while others trying to hunt.

One cheetah female in particular we watched hunt a reed buck antelope, unfortunately (for her) the hunt was not successful (but the high-speed chase was certainly amazing to watch!) We saw many other animals including elephants, hippos, giraffes, buffaloes, warthogs, spotted hyenas, tree-pythons, Black Rhinos, prides of lions, and so much more.

The Welcomed Rains

The so called “short rains” have started within various regions of the northern safari circuit; starting from the Serengeti-Mara region, down through Loliondo and Lobo, and into the central Serengeti. The rains are also covering the Maasai Steppe areas including Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, the Karatu farming plateau and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Rain is a welcomed relief across the land and it is amazing how quickly the landscape changes within such a short amount of time. Pools, swamps, marshes and rivers have recovered quickly; some even temporarily flooding.

These rains are creating greener, more nutritious pastures to support the huge herds of ungulates on their annual trek to the central and the southern Serengeti plains; better food and weather conditions for both the migrating and resident animals. These weather conditions also serve as a signal a large percentage of pregnant animals, preparing them for the calving season in a period of 3 to 4 months from now. Massive elephants will refocus their grazing interest from Acacia trees to ground grass and bushes. We will soon see an increased number in insect biomass, with perfect timing to support the migrant birds approaching as well as for the non-migratory birds.

Serengeti National Park

Huge herds covered different part of the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem. The river crossings we nail-biting experiences as we waited with anticipation to see if the animals would cross safely or be swept away by the raging waters… or even still, ambushed by the waiting crocodiles. And there were plenty of crocodiles; all appearing healthy and fully-bellied. We enjoyed watching various prides of lions; some feeding while others just relaxing under bushes and on kopjes. We saw many birds, ranging from the small little bee-eaters to the impressive birds-of-prey. Right next to our vehicle we witnessed a fascinating site (albeit somewhat gruesome); that of a large eagle taking down a Bat-eared Fox. It took nearly 30 minutes before the fox expired and then the Eagle flew away with its victim.

We also saw 2 leopards in the Seronera valley. A cheetah with 3 young cubs aged approximately 3 months old. We saw 8 lionesse along the Seronera Valley feeding on a giraffe kill. There were large herds of zebras grazing within the Simba kopjes areas. Out the Southern plains there were hundreds of Thomson gazelles, numerous ostriches and golden jackals.

The Ngorongoro Crater

Plenty of animals in the crater floor, with many of the animals just returning from the crater foot hills. We saw 3 prides of lions in the crater, one with 8 juveniles along the Munge River. There were huge elephants bulls in the crater and we spotted a black Rhino with a juvenile of about 3yrs. After the crater tour we had a beautiful late afternoon drive through the Ngorongoro highland forest reserve, along the crater rim; the views were gorgeous as we looked down into the canyons of bright green vegetation, such a beautiful contrast against the bright blue sky and red earth beneath us.

Lake Manyara National Park

Despite its small size, Lake Manyara offers a great habitat for various animals. During our visit we spent time scanning for birds though the thick underground forest. We had good sightings of the Silver Cheeked Horn Bill, including a good number of them flying through the forest while others were feeding on forest fruits. Through our experience this large-sized bird typically visits this area at the start of the rainy season, and we believe it is the perfect time for breeding and nesting. Other horn bills we saw were Red-billed and the Ground Horn Bills. We saw Lesser flamingos in a distance on the lake with a small number of Pelicans nearby. The park also introduced us to a large troupe of Olive Baboons.

Tarangire National Park

Apart from the beautiful colors of the great rolling landscape and flowering Baobab trees, we had very special sightings; the tree-climbing African Rock Python. We spotted 3 snakes which had coiled themselves up on different trees. We also spotted an elusive leopard high-up on an acacia umbrella tree. Despite our close proximity we only gazed on her spots; she kept well-hidden. We had an uncountable number of elephants within every square kilometer and likely so as Tarangire is known for its huge abundance of elephants. We saw a pride of lions feeding on a zebra kill on the Tarangire river floor. We saw a lot of birds like Tawny Eagles, Brown Snake Eagles, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Secretary Bird, Brown Parrot, Great white Pelican and Saddle Billed Stork’s.

Happy Halloween to you all and we’ll look forward to new adventures with our guests in November!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

Snapshot

Wildlife is active everywhere and game-viewing has been at a peak! Prior to September the weather had been very hot and dry. Recently we have been experiencing more pleasant temperatures with a few short rains, enabling some vegetation to begin turning green again. Tanzanians are known for their warm hospitality and so we put it to the test at some of our favorite camps and lodges. The result: They passed with flying colors (based on the high ratings scored in the satisfaction surveys submitted by our clients). Overall, the accommodations and food are being raved about! As September turns to October we anticipate The Great Migration will follow the rains, turning back to the Central Region of the Serengeti as well as toward the Southern Plains in its endless quest for food and water.

Serengeti National Park

The Great Migration has been concentrated in the Serengeti/Mara triangle from July until very recently. Compared to even three years ago, the weather seems to be changing and now short rains are beginning the last week of August. It rains mainly in the early evening hours and overnight, with short “bursts” of rain lasting only 20 minutes to 40 minutes at a time. The rains stretch from the North Mara region to the Central Serengeti. The Mara River is flooding, and has been too high for the safari vehicles to safely cross the stone bridge. Wildebeest are still crossing, but facing a big challenge due to high water and rapid currents, not to mention the obvious hungry Nile Crocodiles. We see large numbers of vultures perched along the riverbanks, feasting on the carcasses stacked along the bridge and boulders. Most of the wildebeest do make it and many have already crossed and parts of the migration have already reached Lobo, the Loliondo Game Reserve, and Bologonja Hill.

Safari highlights

Throughout our adventures during the past two months we saw so many animals both predator and prey alike, including; Giraffe, Elephants, Vultures, Topis, Impalas, Buffalo, Orib, Elands, and lots of monkeys (specifically Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys, and Sykes Monkeys). Also Lions, Leopards (including one we saw take down a Gazelle), Cheetahs, Hyenas, Black-Backed Jackals and Side-Striped Jackals), Bat-eared Foxes, Mongoose, and the endangered Black Rhinos.We were witness to The Great Migration; with hundreds of them crossing the Mara river.

During night game-drives where we saw a tree Hyrax, Spotted Hyenas, Giraffes, Ground Hornbills in their nests, Hares, Owls, and even Bush Babies. We arranged for privately guided nature walks in the for many of our guests visiting the Northern Extension, and one of our clients even enjoyed a special horseback ride at the Manor at Ngorongoro.

We wish you all a great Fall season ahead and are looking forward to hosting you on your future adventures to Tanzania!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

July is regarded as the end of the winter season in Tanzania. The high altitude areas are still a bit more green, while most low altitude areas have dried-out with flora appearing mostly brown in color. All over Tanzania this is a time when farmers are harvesting their crops.

Tourism in the country is at its peak, and seems to be increasing at a good annual rate because of the unique qualities our National Parks offer. This is a special time to be in the Serengeti bush; it is the time to witness the migrant animals on their endless journey through the Serengeti ecosystem. At this time many have reached the Northern Extension within the Serengeti-Mara triangle, while other large herds still behind continue their challenging journey in search of water and green pastures.

Several months ago, The Great Migration began their annual journey in the Southern Plains of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, moving to the Western Corridor through the Central Region and North East, and now to the tip of the circle before their return in November.

We can report the excitement and chaos of “crossings” have begun at the river’s edge! Hungry Nile Crocodiles have been waiting since the herds left the area last year. (Note: It’s a fact the some crocodiles can go up to two years without eating!) It’s a big challenge for the zebra and wildebeest; some end their lives here, yet become a life-source for other creatures. It is an amazing once-a-year-event to watch thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River, driven by their instinct to survive.

The Central Serengeti offers a high number of cats year round, and they seem to be in abundance at this time of year.

Lions are territorial so there are a large number of prides in the Central Serengeti compared to most other places in the Northern Game Circuit.

The Seronera River is the main source of water in this region and so congregations of ungulates (hoofed animals) are also here. We have found many lions hunting along the valley to increase their opportunities for a full-belly. Lions, Leopards and Cheetahs are currently observable in a good number.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is always one of our favorite places to visit. A large area of the crater floor is dry but there are still plenty of animals to be seen as the crater mainly hosts resident animals.

Despite the drier areas, water is and green grass is still available. Some animals even leave the crater floor and walk up to the Ngorongoro Highland Forest. They stay within the open forest areas to feed on nutritious grasses which are in more abundance.

This month we have seen here a great deal of Lions, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hippos, Hyenas and the rare Black Rhinoceros.

Lake Manyara National Park also has an abundance of animals; Baboons, Monkeys and various bird species are visible.

Manyara is a small paradise within the Great Rift Valley system. Tarangire National Park is also great with plenty of animals to see; lots of Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Lesser Kudu, and Birds.

There is so much to learn and discover when you visit the Tanzania National Parks. We look forward to guiding you into these precious World Heritage kingdoms.

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

The Serengeti Highway

In a letter to the UN World Heritage Centre on June 22^nd, 2011, the government of Tanzania declared its intentions NOT to construct a tarmac route dissecting the Serengeti National Park. While PAS considers this to be a significant win for the foreseeable future, we also believe, unfortunately, that the fight is not completely over. The Serengeti remains to face threats from development and encroachment on its borders. The Tanzanian government is still seriously considering an alternative route running south of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Serengeti National Park; only once that decision has been announced will we find true cause for celebration.

Regardless, if the decision had been made to proceed with a paved highway in the North (running from Loliondo to Lake Victoria) it no doubt would have seriously threatened the survival of The Great Migration, along with so many other animal species that survive on park land. Over the course of the past year, the Tanzania Government came under tremendous scrutiny from the global community involved in tourism and conservation, which could have impacted their recent decision. To read the letter, click on the following link: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1104540986122-9/GoT-WHC_letter_6-22.pdf

Bush report

We saw a great variety of animals during our recent travels. On occasion we aim to identify familiar animals, such as a leopard and her cub for example, and perhaps follow them for an afternoon or even a day or two if possible – depending on our client’s interest, or what timeframe we are spending in a particular region. Our goal this month was to see as much variety in wildlife as possible. We saw an incredibly huge herd of the migration in the Western Corridor, moving through the woodlands and along the banks of the Grumeti River. June is the best month to be in the Western Corridor as that is typically when the migration lands in that region. Sometimes it can be challenging to determine exactly when they will be crossing the river, but we found ourselves fortunate to have timed-it perfectly! It was exciting to see the action at the river, the co-existence of the variety of wildlife and their survival tactics, including; wildebeest and zebra herds in pursuit of nutrient-rich grasses, elephant and giraffe herds in the woodlands feeding off the bark or tender leaves of the acacia trees, hippopotamus keeping cool in the water next to the giant Nile crocodiles waiting to ambush prey. It was fantastic!

The Northern Serengeti was still a bit “silent” this past month, mainly with resident animals. The grasses are five feet high, making it more challenging to see animals sleeping or even hunting in the grass. However, early one beautiful morning we did see a handsome young male lion on one of the kopjes. We sat for quite some time with him and enjoyed sipping our morning coffee from the comfort of our safari vehicle while he lounged in the early morning sun.

In addition to the West and North, we spent much of our time in the Central Seronera Valley. Here we had terrific sightings of leopards and baboons; in particular, a baboon stealing a leopard’s kills! The Moru Kopjes were picturesque and we saw a great deal of lion prides, but the best part was listening to their constant territorial roars throughout the night while at our camp.

We look forward to making new friends in July when our next groups of clients arrive in Tanzania. We’ll report back next month!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

Lake Manyara National Park                                                                                     

As we drive beyond the entrance we see streams flowing through the forest and emptying their waters into Lake Manyara. The forest is green and cooler, providing a perfect cover for the animals. We identified various forest birds calling, mainly the Silvery-cheeked hornbills. We saw Blue Monkeys jumping between tree branches, Olive Baboons, Vervet Monkeys and several Elephants feeding on forest bushes.

We drove to the open flood plain and headed to the hippo pool to see the herds; most of the hippos where basking-in-the-sun along the shoreline. All around us were grazing Zebras, Thomson Gazelles and Gnus. A herd of African Cape Buffalo was enjoying the shade from Papyrus plants. Lesser flamingoes covered a large part of the lake, which was beautiful. After the hippo pool we continued through a wide range of vegetation zones. The abundance of Acacia trees provide a perfect home for the world tallest land mammal, Giraffes, who also stand as Tanzania’s National Animal. We also saw Impalas, Rock Hyraxes, Warthogs and Black Backed Jackals.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area & the Crater

Lush forest amidst misty-foggy mornings was our first impression. Our early morning drive into the crater provided us with the chance to see herds of buffalo, and Hyenas sitting on the road. Water is available at all rivers and streams in the Lerai Forest. The grasses on the crater floor are very green (and nutritious) so there is an abundance of wildlife. The large marsh areas are also all very green. Lake Magadi in the crater is drier with fewer flamingos. The South West has longer grasses and a more wet condition. The East and Central part has low-level grass and seems to be where the animals are more heavily concentrated. The western Oldupai area and Ndutu Woodlands are dry, but the dry-season animals and residents are surviving and can be seen (Ostrich, Gazelles and Black Jackal). We saw a large number of bull Elephants scattered into different parts where grasses are taller and also in the swampy areas. We saw three of the five crater lion prides, hippos, spotted hyenas, Black Rhinos, and jackals.

Highlights in the Crater:

* Twenty spotted hyenas taking down a sub adult Zebra. They wiped-out everything within twenty minutes time at the Lake Magadi area.
* One Spotted Hyena managed to take down a big warthog after a fifteen-minute fight
Serval cat and cub.
* Black Rhinoceros and a huge bull Elephant at a very close distance
* Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra

Serengeti National Park

We entered the Serengeti from the South East where the Serengeti plains adjoin the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Southern Serengeti plains are very dry. There are a good number of gazelles migrating slowly to the central region. Vegetation in the Central Seronera, Moru, and the Western Corridor are semi-green, and the far North has tall grass. Plenty of animals everywhere, residents and migrants are moving in. The most exciting event in the Serengeti right now is The Great Migration. We saw two major parts of it; the North tail and the Western tail. Basically, all of the migrants are already out of the plains and now in the woodlands. The Western Corridor has a huge number of ungulates. Hundreds to thousands of them covered over a large area as far as our eyes could see. They’re moving on, eating and grunting while the males challenge each other for territory and breeding rights. It’s so busy and the sky is full of gliding vultures that follow the migration. Their millions of hooves act as a harrowing machine. Slowly their weight and pressure softly break the top part of the soil, top it with a thousand tons of dung and urine which turns to fertilize the soil perfectly. The is so much activity: Lions & Leopards hunting, leopards hunting, hyenas hunting and scavenging, and the Giant Nile Crocodiles challenging the wildebeest at the river crossings.

Highlights in the Serengeti:

* The Great Migration
* Two Leopards at different locations in the Seronera Valley
* A Leopard enjoying his meal up-top in an acacia tree.
* A total of 30 lions in different parts of Seronera
* Elephants in Maasai kopjes marsh
* Cheetah and two cubs
* Giant Nile crocodiles
* Lots of Giraffes, Topis, Zebras, Hippos, and Buffaloes

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

The Serengeti National Park (Seronera/Central Region & the Western Corridor)

The Great Migration was mainly concentrated within the south-west; between the Hidden Valley and Moru Kopjes. Many cheetahs were easily seen on the open plains towards the southern tip of the Serengeti and the boundary of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (along the Miti Mitatu area). We had great leopard sightings in the Seronera Valley, including three leopards at a near distance, but also one close encounter with a mother and her four month old cub.

Within one trip we counted a total of seventeen cheetahs, including two sighted in Lobo, four in Seronera, and eleven in the southern tip amidst Ndutu, Kusini and the Makao Plains. Slightly fewer lion encounters than usual this month, but we experienced sightings in both Seronera and the Gol Kopjes. We counted numerous hippos in the Seronera hippo pools and also Nile crocodiles along the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor. We saw many giraffes, elephants, and huge herds of Cape buffalo.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (The Crater and Ndutu Woodlands)

In the crater we spotted seven lions, and multiple Black Rhinoceros including a mother and her baby which crossed directly in front of our truck. There were many zebras, wildebeest, Grants gazelles and Thomson gazelles. The crater was lush and green, and we felt the weather was perfect. 

We saw large herds of wildebeest just south-west of Ndutu and a few within the Ndutu Forest itself. The woodlands have plenty of green grasses, which are being shared by hippos and zebras when they graze at night. In the woodlands we also saw many resident buffalo and elephants. The Ndutu lake area was very active with elephants and even cheetahs feeding nearby in the early mornings. Bat-eared foxes as well as Black-backed and Golden-backed jackals were spotted in Ndutu, along with numerous spotted hyenas. Our best lion sighting was at the large Ndutu Marsh area where a lioness delicately carried her tiny cubs of three weeks while moving them to a much safer corner within the marsh.

Lake Manyara National Park

We witnessed herds of elephants, baboons, giraffes, schools of hippos, impalas, blue monkeys, and so much more. It was a great time to see so many birds, including Ground hornbills, Marabou storks, and Kingfishers. Lake Manyara National Park offered us some spectacular game-viewing.

We look forward to welcoming our clients traveling with us at in the coming month of May. It will be a wonderful time to be on safari!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

Overall we have been experiencing big weather changes in the East African zone. It’s the start of the raining season and everything in our environment seems to be changing. Vegetation is regenerating and sprouting tender, young, and nutritious leaves. There is a good amount of available water for people and animals alike, and the weather condition offers a slightly cooler temperature during day time and at night. Farmers are planting their fields before the rains get too heavy. Out in the bush, animals are thriving and young have been born everywhere.

The Serengeti

In the Serengeti National Park, the Wildebeest Migration is currently hovering around the southern and Eastern Ngorongoro plains, with lots of activity: giving birth, grazing, carnivores hunting, and vultures clearing the ecosystem. The Central Serengeti has tall grass grown, which the resident animals take advantage of in order to rest, hide, or hunt.

We have been spotting many Leopards as they like to hang on the large trees limbs of sausage trees or acacia trees, often due to the more wet conditions on the ground.

The Western Corridor is very green at this time, with plenty of water in the Grumeti and Mbalageti rivers… and Nile Crocodiles, too! The North part of Lobo is a bit quieter at this time but we have seen a good number of resident animals; lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, elephants, topis, etc. The Northern Extension near the Mara is also lush and green, with a good number of resident animals to be seen such as hippos, giraffes, hyenas, lions, Black rhinos, and leopards, to list just a few.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

The Ngorongoro crater appears mostly lush and green and is experiencing a pleasant temperature. Skies have been slightly overcast and we’ve been experiencing some fog in the morning and evening hours. The mist in the Highlands Forest creates a unique and picturesque environment. The number of animals in the crater has increased as most animals have moved into the crater floor due to the hearty food supply; Lots of zebras, wildebeest and even hippos. We have also gained close vicinity to Black rhinos on the floor due to the growth of leguminous grass during this rainier time.

Lake Manyara & Tarangire National Parks

Departing the Ngorongoro Conservation area on the way to Lake Manyara, it is easy to see the farming landscapes of Karatu with busy farmers working in their crop fields. The staple crops are maize and beans.

From the Rift Valley Escarpment to the Lake Manyara Park, everything appears green and the views are beautiful In Manyara Park, we have had better opportunities to see some of the tree-climbing lions, due to more ground wetness. Elephants, hippos, giraffes, and Olive Baboons have also been commonly seen, and there has been plenty of birdlife at the lake; particularly Great White Pelicans and Greater Cormorants, some lesser Flamingos, but numerous Marabou Storks. The Buffer zone between Lake Manyara National Park and Tarangire National Park is among the main grazing ground for the Tarangire animal’s migration. They cross within these areas at any time of the year but the animals tend to move the most during the wet season. This is because of the lack of water in the dry season and generally less vegetation and/or food at that time.

The Tarangire National Park is very green with long grasses and even all of the Baobabs have sprouted their leaves. There are, however, few animals seen in the park right now due to their migration. During the wet season, Tarangire animals migrate out of the park due to the soil having become too wet and sticky (with the possibility of sinking) and the grasses unpalatable. This is a good time for birders as there is a large insect Biomass to support many birds.

We look forward to welcoming our clients traveling with us at in the coming months of April and May. It is a wonderful time to be on safari!

Regards,

Adam & the Proud African Safaris Team

HIGHLIGHTS: We observed a total of 26 lions including 3 lion cubs and an adult male guarding his kill, 7 adult Cheetahs of which three males hunted and took-down a large wildebeest, 4 adult leopards and 1 leopard cub, The Great Migration, wildebeest giving birth, a Thompson Gazelle defending her newborn fawn from a Silver-backed Jackal, 2 Green Mambas, a Black Spitting Cobra with open hood, uncountable hyena clans, various ungulates, herds of Elephants and Giraffe, Zebras, Warthogs, Hippopotamus’, Ostriches, Vultures, and numerous migratory birds.

DAYs 1 – 3, ARUSHA: This was our second journey to Tanzania and it felt great to be back! When my husband and I stepped off the plane, the combination of the starry African sky, the sounds of chirping bugs, and the warm night air made us giddy with delight. The first person to greet us, with her signature smile, was Zubeda, the PAS Director of Operations. Adam waited for us outside and after a friendly hello, we tossed our bags into the back and we were off!

Our first destination in Arusha was the Lake Duluti Lodge. Francis and his staff welcomed us with a hearty “Karibu Sana!” (“You are most welcome) and a glass of fresh mango juice. Later we sat down to a quiet, candlelit dinner before retiring for the night. The next morning we enjoyed breakfast on the terrace before taking a guided walk to the shores of Lake Duluti. It was a warm, sunny day and we could finally feel our bodies start to decompress.

The next two days were spent in Arusha. We were welcomed-in by friends and family of the PAS staff. We particularly enjoyed sipping tea and discussing Tanzanian politics on the veranda of Adam’s parents’ house in a peaceful, small-African-village setting. During our time in Arusha emotions ranged from a “hustle & bustle” mentality while touring The Marketplace, to peaceful tranquility when canoeing in Arusha National Park, to joyful while spending time with the children at Falco’s Home for Girls.

DAY 4 – TARANGIRE: Our bush adventure would begin by exploring Tarangire National Park. This park is known for its large number of elephant herds and also for its massive baobab trees (believed to be the longest-living trees in Africa). While travelling within the park, we learned that baobab trees are called “The Trees of Life” for good reason; they are capable of providing shelter, food, and water for animal and human inhabitants of the region.

Throughout the day we observed a variety of animals ranging from monkeys, to warthogs, to zebra herds, and birds – including a gaggle of Ostrich chicks (easily 15-20 chicks) with 2 adult females. The surrounding park landscape was breathtaking and varied from woodlands to marshland. At the end of the day we arrived at the Tarangire Treetops where we were greeted again with familiar Tanzanian hospitality. We were soon escorted to our suite built high-up into an actual baobab tree. Instantly my husband’s eyes widened like saucers and his inner 12-year old surfaced as I heard him exclaim “Wow! You know I love tree houses, this is awesome!” Our overall experience at The Treetops was highly unique and memorable, and if I were to suggest one thing to “splurge” on for any safari, this might be it.

DAYs 5 – 7, KARATU, NGORONGORO & NDUTU: The day following Tarangire was more of a “work day”. We spent much of our time visiting lodges in the Karatu and Ngorongoro Conservation Areas, ensuring establishments we recommend to our clients are maintained to our standards. One of my favorite accommodations in this area was The Manor at Ngorongoro. To access The Manor we drove through the forested slopes of a coffee plantation. This day was slightly overcast, making the landscape seemingly more lush and green than imaginable. Upon our arrival we enjoyed tea and coffee on the veranda of the main villa overlooking the gardens and a horse farm. It was absolutely beautiful.

The next day began with our ascent through the Ngorongoro Highlands Forest. We spotted numerous Baboon troops along the way and near the top we enjoyed a magnificent view of the Ngorongoro Crater. We made many stops throughout the morning to view Giraffe, Elephants, Wildebeest, and Zebra in their pristine home. It was intriguing to see traditional Maasai villagers co-existing with the wildlife. As we drove through the hillsides, villagers would often wave a friendly hello. On one occasion we stopped to share a few tasty snacks with some local Maasai children. It was a treat for us all.

In the afternoon we visited the Olduvai Gorge, also known as “The cradle of mankind”. This is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world, and has been instrumental in furthering understanding of early human evolution. It was here that English Anthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey began their excavation work and discovered the skull of a primitive, “Australopithecus”, dating back about 1.75 million years. Interestingly, the name “Olduvai” is actually a misspelling of the word “Oldupai” but became adopted as the official name in 2005. Oldupai is the Maasai word for a wild sisal plant which grows in the gorge.

After the gorge we drove straight to the Ndutu woodlands where we enjoyed more game-viewing before arriving at the Lemala Ndutu Luxury Tented Camp. That evening we shared stories of the day’s adventures with other guests and later enjoyed a traditional campfire following a gourmet dinner. My favorite part was awaking to the ghostly bay of a hyena in the wee hours of the night. Nothing compares to the spine-tingling excitement of being deep in the African wilderness. Once you’ve experienced it first-hand, you’re hooked.

The next day was spent near the woodlands searching for the migration. Our most exciting animal encounters included a male lion in the marsh stalking Cape Buffalo, two lionesses with their cubs, and three male cheetahs who hunted and captured a large wildebeest. Later in the day we found the same male lion napping under a shady tree.

DAYs 8 – 10, SERONERA, MBUZI MAWE, LOBO, LOLIONDO, & THE WESTERN CORRIDOR: The central region is the best place for spotting the big cats, and we were not disappointed! This was where we saw four leopards and a leopard cub, a cheetah, a pride of 9 lions (which walked right along the side of our vehicle), and a large male lion reluctant to leave his kill before the vultures took it over.

Here we also saw the birth of a wildebeest calf and The Great Migration in their largest numbers. Hyenas were in full abundance in this region, but one of the most interesting sights was witnessing a female Gazelle attack a Silver-backed Jackal. She did this to protect her 1-hour old fawn. Later in the day, we did a game-drive the Mbuzi Mawe region. This is a beautiful region with many rocky outcrops called “kopjes”. We spent the night at the Mbuzi Mawe Luxury Tented Camp and throughout the night enjoyed hearing the low roars of the Mbuzi Mawe pride.

During our last days we saw numerous more animals while exploring Lobo, Loliondo and the Western Corridor. In addition to the incomparable beauty of our natural surroundings, we saw several more lions – often mating pairs, 3 more Cheetahs, hundreds of ungulates, and even a Black Spitting Cobra who was sunning himself on the road. We unknowingly drove straight at the 5 foot snake when he suddenly “stood up” and opened his hood before quickly recoiling. We luckily managed to miss running-over him, but it was a moment of excitement and a little uncertainty. When we looked behind us, we saw him quickly slither off into a large termite mound. I imagine next time he’ll choose to sleep on a rock instead.

We loved our second journey to Tanzania. Each experience on this trip seemed to open our eyes and hearts again to a fresh mindset, and reminded us there is so much more in the world to learn, to explore, and to ultimately become a part of. Thank you to Adam, Zubeda, the rest of the PAS team and their friends and families for being such gracious hosts. We can’t wait to return again!

Fondly,

Nandi

PAS proudly owns all of our own safari vehicles! Check out the two newest additions to our fleet. Including; A new luxury airport/town shuttle van, and a customized 4×4 stretched land cruiser that comfortably seats up to seven passengers. This new safari truck is equipped with a diesel engine, dual fuel tanks, dual spare tires, coil springs (for a smoother ride), a snorkel (yes, the truck could actually run under water), an electric cooler for drinks and snacks, adapters for charging camera batteries & cell phones, CB radio, medical kit, reclining seats, and a roll-back roof-top for maximized game-viewing and photography!