The Explorer
April/May 2002
News from the Bush!

Way out in the Serengeti the Wildebeest are heading towards the Maswa Game Reserve on the western borders of the short grass plains.

For many weeks The Ngaroi has been the centre of action for a large percentage of the migratory herds of Wildebeest and Zebra relentlessly searching out fresh green grasses creating a wonderful backdrop for our Wilderness Camp.

The herds seem content with the amount of fresh green grass available for the young calves, which are thriving.

All in all a good birthing season for all concerned.

As many of you will know from reading the newsletter reports, Wildlife Explorer and its Guests have had another phenomenal season with game viewing excitement in the Wilderness Camp at The Ngaroi, the Mobile Camps and the Walking Camps.

For a few brief weeks operations have stopped, equipment returned to its respective 'Bays' and the process of re-stocking and repairing has started!

So as the Wildebeest prepare for the Annual 'Rut' so we start preparations for the coming Dry Season!

A special thanks this season to everyone that journeyed to Tanzania for a Safari Za Mwituni!


True Walking Safaris!

I would imagine that many people would assume that after such a hectic 'Walking Season' Phillip and Dave would be hankering after a well-earned rest!! Not to be I am afraid.

Phillip has been to Nairobi to have the steel pins removed from his leg having suffered an injury in April 2000. Recovery from this routine operation is going along fine with Phillip up and running around sorting out the move to his new home on the boundary of Arusha National Park with wife Sarah May and children Kimali and Batian.

Dave has also been busy with the recent Commonwealth selections for Tanzania's Cycling Team, which took place last Friday. Despite valiant competition amongst the teams the Eritrea's sailed into first place a full 29 minutes ahead of the closest Tanzanian cyclist!

Both Phillip and Dave will be taking part in the training weeks scheduled for our Guides and Crew during the beginning of May prior to the first safari of the season.


Gorillas, The Impenetrable Forest and The Great Migration

Almost a decade and a half ago Wildlife Explorer was one of the first pioneering Companies to combine Mountain Gorilla tracking in the Ruwenzori Mountains with Traditional Tented Safaris in Tanzania. Sadly with border and Political problems over the years the logistics of such a journey became unrealistic.

Beginning this next season we are pleased to announce that Wildlife Explorer will again be exploring the Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, tracking the mighty Mountain Gorillas in combination with The Great Migration on the Serengeti Plains. The Safari, which also includes Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, has been ranked as one of the most exciting Safaris available.

Please e.mail for more details.

Equipment Up-Grades

As a Company we are committed to leading the field in quality of Guides and General Staff from Waiter to Managing Director ensuring that from the moment your decision to travel with Wildlife Explorer is made one is afforded the very best in preparation for the journey of a lifetime.

One of the most important aspects of our business is to ensure that all elements of our equipment are top of the range and maintained to the highest quality (hence the need to close down for several weeks each year).

This year we are concentrating on the Tents themselves and the equipment and furniture contained within.

John, our master Carpenter is extremely busy producing new furniture for the Wilderness Camps. The interiors and exteriors of the accommodation tents as well as the Dining and Lounge Tents are all being treated to a facelift with new wash basin/writing tables for the veranda's and dressing tables with bedside lights and new beds for the interiors. The Dining and Lounge Tents are all benefiting from new Hardwood Tables, Bookshelves and Chaise Lounge.

Daniel, our tent-maker is also flat out building a new dining tent for Osunyai and modifying the Lounge Tent for the coming season.

We believe that the changes above will keep Wildlife Explorer at the very forefront of tented safari quality.


Wilderness Camps!

The 2002 Green Season has been an incredible time for The Ngaroi as the Newsletters and journal reports have borne witness to.

Our philosophy for the Wilderness Camps is to maintain each camp for a whole season starting in November for The Ngaroi and June for Osunyai with the flexibility to either extend or cut short each Wilderness Camp seasons as safaris dictate.

This year Osunyai will be built at the beginning of June with the first safaris heading into camp towards the end of that month.

Three new Tents have been ordered for Osunyai with additional Shade net Flysheets to protect from the sun and ensure that the sleeping tents are as cool and shady as any Fig Tree!!

Part of the Training Weeks will be centred around Osunyai with special emphasis on the walks from camp along the Sand River leading into Tarangire National Park.

A week ago during a pre-season recce several of us had the pleasure of meeting up with a number of the resident Elephant population as we explored on foot the area around Osunyai! Heedless of our requirements of establishing the coming seasons positioning of tents the small family group consisting Matriarch, two Aunties and 4 young continued on with their own agenda i.e. the excavation of the dry riverbed for sweet fresh water!

We all look forward to more exciting encounters as the season opens.

News from Olerai

The end of a season is always likened to a double edged sword, on the one hand another season has been successful with all of us elated with the various components that justify the success of that season and on the other we have welcomed many new friends to our World and sadly said farewell.

At the end of this Green Season in particular I would like to personally thank all of our special guests and Agents who have supported Wildlife Explorer during what must have been the hardest 6 months the Travel Industry has ever seen. Thank you.

As ever Wildlife Explorer is about the future, about change where necessary and above all about self-improvement.

As a Company we encourage all elements of our team to re-train, re-educate and wherever possible make use of in house education programmes of further education to ensure the team stays motivated and creative and light years ahead of the competition! Of course I am still unsure that my newly acquired French Lessons are in keeping with the rest of the Teams achievements however that's another story!

This Newsletter spans April and May when traditionally the seasons slow allowing all of us resident here in Tanzania to witness the beauty of meadows of wildflowers erupting across the grasslands of Northern Tanzania!

With warm wishes,

Gary