The Explorer
September 2002
News from the Bush!
Far from predictable, the rains have imperceptibly caught us unawares with two days of deluge leaving the roads and
tracks awash for many parts of Northern Tanzania! This month is normally as dry as Tanzania gets so the weather patterns
have left us all wondering what is in store for the rest of the year?
Prior to the unseasonable weather the season has been in full flood (excuse the pun!) with the weather doing what it should, drying up the grasslands and increasing the visibility for our walking Guides.
Osunyai has proved itself to be worth the time and effort coming up trumps with great sightings throughout the season. The camp position with the lounge tent set overlooking the Elephant excavations on the riverbed has been a particular success and one that we hope to be able to repeat next dry season.
Giraffe Peep Show! - News from Dave
The quote ‘You’re so lucky, you have a great job’ has never been so appropriate and so apt!
‘I must admit to being on the receiving end of that statement quite a number of times over the years and especially over the past few months.
The Game viewing experiences I’ve had with our guests at Osunyai this season reflect quite adequately why many consider the job of a Walking Guide to be about as good as it gets, and quite frankly I have to agree with them!
The camp, situated on the Osunyai Sand River, has provided every safari with the opportunity of viewing Elephants at close quarters.
As there is no standing water in the area the Elephants have to dig down into the sand to find the fresh waters lying beneath the surface. First with their front feet and then with their trunks the Elephants create a large crater with a trunk shaped smaller hole at its centre sometimes digging to a depth of 3 or 4 feet.
Of course plenty of other animals take advantage of the ‘free’ water holes, which this season saw, Warthogs, Dik- Dik, Baboons and a Leopard coming to drink as well as the numerous Tarangire bird life all sharing interdependency on the Elephants efforts.
Whether its been the African Grass Owl taking flight from a Baobab tree, Army Ants in full battle array heading for a nearby termite mound or the Black Necked Cobra crossing the Sand River there have been plenty of memories and new experiences all round!
One couple were woken in the early morning by the crunching of grass roots outside of their tent! On sitting up in bed the early morning light illuminated a male Giraffe bending down to peer at them through the windows of the tent!
Another group, awoken at 5.00 a.m. had breakfast and then set out to a nearby set of Kopjes to watch the African sun rise followed by a walk in the brisk morning air. Two days later we passed the same spot to find that a Leopard had deposited the remains of an Impala in the tree above us.
Perhaps it was the same Leopard that at the end of a night drive put on a lovely show padding gracefully on the Sand River bed close to camp?
I’ve certainly enjoyed the past few months at Osunyai and look forward to being back as soon as possible.
See you there!’
Dave.
Wilderness Camps, and the Rest.
A few short months sees the Osunyai camp being pulled down in preparation for the move to The Ngaroi which given the early rains mentioned above promises to be a great season and an interesting move!
The concept of the Wilderness Camps with full time Walking Guides able to track and stalk game on foot and the Open Vehicles for Day and Night Game Drives, is by itself a unique experience in Northern Tanzania. However as an added excitement we have combined our own unique blend of outfitting with that of other camps such as Greystoke, Chada, Mwagusi, Sand Rivers, Gorilla Forest Camp to name a few.
The blend is intended for first-timers and returning friends alike, an adrenalin rush of excitement to experience one eco- system and then be transported into a completely new environment, all on one safari.
As the saying goes-‘The only limitations are ones own’
Kilimanjaro IMAX Preview.
A couple of evenings ago, myself and a small group of friends and colleagues were invited to a private showing of ‘Kilimanjaro’ the new Imax film, Directed and Produced by David Breashea. David personally introduced the movie under a vast African night sky lit by a full moon-simply beautiful.
The film follows a handful of different aged individuals from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds as they attempt to summit the tallest freestanding mountain in the World.
The IMAX production, as one would expect is full of outstanding visuals including awesome aerials! Well worth a visit to the local Imax cinema when it starts showing in your area.
As an extra bonus we were able to enjoy the movie in full digital sound and imaging thanks to David’s imported projection and sound system, which, after the finish of presentations here in northern Tanzania, will be used for educational purposes in schools and colleges around the country.
News from Olerai.
Phew, what a summer! Now that I am firmly back in the hot seat its easy to reflect on all that has gone on during the past few months.
Dave has been busy exploring every inch of Osunyai with sightings to justify his time and effort, Phillip is at this moment in Mahale Chimpanzee trekking and the Strand Family have been off wandering through Europe seeing animals of a different variety!
Historically, end of August beginning of September is when I spend a bit of time promoting in the UK and USA and this year was no exception with visits to Utah, Idaho and California presenting Wildlife Explorer to old and new friends and acquaintances.
The response has been overwhelming despite a political uncertainty as to what direction the Bush administration will lead the peoples of America. One thing is certain, a full year on from the atrocities of 9/11/01 the World is a different place and the American people have proved that they will not be held hostage in their own country!
Special thanks to all of my friends that extended their hospitality during the days spent in the USA, Ross & Anne- Marie, Susan & Martie, Bruce & Amy, Jim & Fan, The Queen! (she knows who she is!) Stacy & Lee and Bill & Barbara.
There is still plenty of space during the coming months so I had best get on and follow up on potential safaris!
With warm wishes,
Gary
