DAY 30: Sunshine and elephants

We got up at 05:00 at Tarangire Treetops, ready for our first game drive in the park. But before we departed I had to live up to my reputation as the camp klutz!

Villiers after his little accident this morning

Despite a warning from Shaun, I tackled the steep staircase with no-grip Crocs, in the dark, after the rain, without a free hand...and as I slipped (rather high up) I remembered his words: "Believe me, if you do slip, you go down all the way! I went down all the way!!

Although the park gate opens at 06:30, the officers are obviously not used to people arriving for a safari that early and as a result we only entered the park around 07:00. It was misty for a while, but soon cleared up. Tarangire is one of the most scenic reserves I have ever driven in!

A typical view in Tarangire National Park

The first hour of our game drive produced few animal sightings, but the birds kept us very busy. Tarangire National Park is a birding paradise, especially if you enjoy seeing and photographing colourful species! My favourite is the yellow-collared lovebirds, which are common in the park, as well as the superb starlings. As you may have noticed, our bird count shot up considerably since we arrived at Tarangire.

A suberb starling - a common species in Tarangire

It's not only our bird count that got a nice boost this morning. We also added 200 elephants to our tally! As soon as we saw the first herd of approximately 10 animals, the elephant sightings became more and more regular and continued throughout the morning. They are extremely relaxed and allow you to drive right up to them.

Elephant bums in the road

Another highlight was a stunning sighting of three bat-eared foxes very close to the road. JI was able to take this beautiful photograph of the 'friendly' creatures:

Stunning creatures in stunning light!

Other sightings included impalas, baboons, hartebeest, dik-diks, giraffes, warthogs and a very colourful chameleon in the road. At 11:00 we stopped for breakfast at one of the public picnic sites and enjoyed a delicious variety of goodies packed by Tarangire Treetops! Thanks guys - you are amazing!!

Tarangire Treetops don't play around when it comes to breakfast

"Pole Pole" - slowly slowly across the road

We arrived back at camp around 13:30 and spent the afternoon relaxing in the extremely comfortable Tarangire Treetops lodge. Dinner was served in one of the best-designed bomas I've eaten in - with a number of trees growing inside it, it leaves you feeling you're somewhere deep in the bush. The lanterns and fire provide incredible atmosphere! The highlight of the evening, and probably the day, was a traditional Masai chant during dinner. The sounds were completely new to our ears and put you into a trance within seconds. I've never seen JI so fixed on something, whilst filming the dancers with the video camera. What a treat!

The boma at Tarangire Treetops

Masai chanting in the boma

Well, tomorrow is another day and who knows what it will deliver... Thanks again to Shaun, Elcke, Nala and all the Tarangire Treetops staff for two amazing days!

"Lala salama" - sleep well!

Villiers

PS:  Vir al ons vriende in Pretoria - hou asseblief Saterdagaand die 2de April oop!!! Skryf dit NOU in jou dagboek, want dan gaan ons GROOT kuier! Geen verskonings nie! :)

Highlight of the day:

Villiers and JI: The Masai chanting in the boma

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: Tsetse flies!
JI: Having to leave Tarangire Treetops tomorrow