The Explorer
June 2002
News from the Bush!
Hundreds of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra are finally on their way across the Serengeti, migrating towards greener grasses via the Grumeti River and Ndabaka Plains. Over dinner last evening Dick Estes (Ungulate Researcher and Author of Animal Behavioural Guides) reported that the vast majority of migratory Wildebeest and Zebra were in and around the Seronera River Valley with movement west towards Kirawira.
Unusually there were a few days of rainstorms that flushed the grasses of The Ngaroi in the past few weeks resulting in a large concentration of Zebra herds accumulating around our Alamana Camp Site creating a wonderfully noisy soundtrack.
At Osunyai the migratory herds have not yet hit the Conservation Area boundary, however with the rains now definitely stopped this will be sure to change over the next few weeks.
Wilderness Camps!
Our new tents have been finished and are awaiting transportation! Theses tents are specifically for the Wilderness Camps and have been designed with an extra flysheet to protect against exposure to long periods of sunlight.
The design of large mosquito netted windows stretching the entire length of the tent body has been maintained along with the en-suite bathrooms. This, plus new interior fabrics has enhanced the looks and comfort levels in camp.
Osunyai & The Ngaroi - Ready for the Season
When we announced the 'Wilderness Camp' concept at the beginning of the year we hadn't quite realised how exciting
the response would be from Agents and Friends alike!
Now with confirmed bookings flooding in for the coming dry and green seasons we have had to step up a notch the development programme for both sites.
The Alamana site at The Ngaroi came first under the scrutiny of our small team this past month. With members of the Crew, Guides and Office Staff the Alamana site was transformed from the beautiful Mobile Camp-Site it always was to the main wilderness camp for The Ngaroi.
Tent bases were levelled; paths between Lounge, Dining and Accommodation tents marked out and access points for water and crew put in.
The camp is now set out around and in between two sets of Kopjes with the main lounge tent set on top of a small kopje with stunning views out to the west with a much larger kopje behind.
Each accommodation tent is completely private with its own individual uninterrupted view out onto unspoilt Africa, whether one is sitting on the tent veranda writing postcards at the hardwood desk or resting inside on the comfortable bed the only possible intrusion into the field of view may be the odd Wildebeest herd or curious giraffe!
Unlike The Ngaroi where there is a possibility of rainstorms, the beauty of Osunyai is in its dryness. The lounge and dining tents are situated together on a spit in the shade of huge fig trees overlooking the sand river that the camp takes its name from.
Our guests arrive for their first Champagne cocktail at Osunyai by walking down and across the dry riverbed where countless Elephants come to excavate for fresh water. In the shade of the fig trees tent stewards sort luggage and then escort each guest to his or her private tent with its own views of Osunyai.
Each year the course of the river changes slightly requiring the alteration of each tent site. This year the floods created an almost perfect area with a multitude of different opportunities to individualise each tent position.
Phillip and Dave have both been re-exploring the area so the season promises to be an exciting one!
During the few days we had to prepare the site, Elephants and Lion came by and tracks for Lesser Kudu were everywhere along the sand river.
End of an Era
Sadly, Baron Hugo Van Lawick the famous Dutch Filmmaker passed away last week at his home in Dar es Salaam.
Hugo's contribution to worldwide awareness of Tanzania's natural history will live on through his countless films produced in the National Parks and Reserves here in Tanzania.
We will remember Hugo as the Gentleman of film making, never too busy to stop and share knowledge of a particular scene unfolding out on the Serengeti Plains and always welcoming to his private camp overlooking Lake Ndutu on the edge of the Serengeti where he spent over 2 decades.
In a fitting tribute, Baron Hugo Van Lawick was afforded a State Funeral and laid to rest on the site where his tent stood for so many years facing west towards the sunset.
Gorillas are Go!
A great response to the re-inclusion of Gorillas into our safari programme!
The combination of The Great Migration on the Serengeti plains with Ngorongoro Crater and then private chartering into Uganda for The Impenetrable Forest to see the Mountain Gorillas has confirmed two safaris so far with a possible third.
We have been granted early access to Gorilla Passes prior to public release, which has enabled us to design this exciting programme.
Please look at the itinerary .
News from Olerai
Mid-summer greetings from a sunny and fresh 'Olerai'
With the season starting early this year we were barely able to complete all of our repairs and modifications prior to the first safari leaving which I guess is good news for business!
I have particularly enjoyed my time over the last month spent with the Guides on some of the Training weeks. These re-training periods are incredibly important for Wildlife Explorer as a company if we are to remain as one of the top safari outfitters in Tanzania.
In addition to seeing how well the Guides are doing it was also great to sit around a campfire and listen to the interpretations of how the direction of the company is fairing in the eyes of our front line ambassadors! Thankfully the consensus was that we were all jolly good chaps!
The season has officially opened - let the safaris begin!!
With warm wishes,
Gary
