The Explorer
September 2004
News from the Bush!

With so long between newsletters I really am at a loss to know where to start to describe the exciting months that have been left behind.

As usual The Ngaroi proved time and time again why we consider it to be the premier wilderness area in northern Tanzania with excitement right up to close of season (end of June). Proximity of game increased over the season until the final weeks saw the large predators hunting the gullies and valleys close to camp, whilst the Elephants, Eland and the plains game contented themselves with giving the prides a slightly wider berth!

As with other years the Wilderness Camp moved immediately into Osunyai for the dry season months, where the usual tales of various animals digging for water filtered back to base.

Osunyai is not what most people associate with safari, being on the periphery of the Tarangire eco-system, but as with our slightly skew company philosophy the area fits in very well with how we like to portray the season between July and November.

Walks are normally along the dry sand river beds aflow during the flash floods but wonderfully soft walking during the dry season with a canopy over a lot of the bed surface provided by fig and acacia branches.

Philip and Dave both had great luck tracking Elephant during the season. The river banks make great camouflage to view behind and with professional guides using their bushcraft we are able to view the pachyderms as they browse along the river beds or banks.

Our walking philosophy has always been to track animals rather than stroll in the glorious African sunshine, something that sets us apart rather from the rest of the herd!

Osunyai and Tarangire will also be the base for the annual Audubon Society Safari with Wildlife Explorer guided again by Godfrey Mbise and Marc Baker. This will be the second Audubon Safari with next years already confirmed! Mark and Godfrey combine to make a great ornithological team and with the itinerary including much of the northern parks including Rubondo Island, will undoubtedly generate a large number of sightings.

Walking Safaris and Fly Camps

It is with great excitement that we are able to announce a season of dedicated walking safaris.

The initial walking programme was modified to day walks from our main Wilderness Camp (which will still continue) however with the increase in business for The Ngaroi we are now able to offer individually designed 4 day walks moving from one location to another within The Ngaroi.

The Ngaroi as many will know is unique, being large enough an area to provide unrivalled diversity of habitat around the kopjes, ridges, riverine systems and short grass plains.

As a Walking Safari destination the area is second to none in Northern Tanzania which, with Wildlife Explorers renowned service, combines to create a premium walking experience.

Detailed itineraries are available on email, please contact us for more details.

Support for Breast Cancer in Africa

London was the venue for the inaugural Charity Gala Dinner Dance aimed at bringing hope to the less fortunate women in Ghana who are diagnosed with breast cancer. “Breast Hope Ghana” is the brainchild of Mrs Esi Cleland who was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer here in the UK.

If you wish to help, please contact Esi Cleland at Breast Hope Ghana:

Breast Hope Ghana
129 Mount Grace Road
Potters Bar
Herts EN6 1QY
info@breasthopeghana.org

“Breast Hope Ghana” honours the memory of the many Ghanaian women, both young and old, who have lost their lives to breast cancer because of limited knowledge of the issue and lack of vital funds for breast cancer care.

The aim of this dinner dance on Friday 4th June 2004 was to raise vital funds to help the Breast Clinic in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. This clinic is currently under-developed and under-funded and lacks a comprehensive service in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of early and advanced stage breast cancer, which means hundreds of women could be given a better chance of survival.

The London event was a great success and £28,000 was raised through an auction, and further donations are still trickling in. Among the items auctioned was a Safari with Wildlife Explorer, and we are looking forward to welcoming the family who bid for it it this October!

News from Olerai

Seemingly accelerated time has been responsible for the lateness of this newsletter — or at least that is my excuse!

As a family we have enjoyed an immense amount of travel during the past summer months enjoying each others company on the Cornish Coast, the beautiful old English villages of Northamptonshire, the Highlands of Scotland and the Lakes of Windermere and Waters of Coniston and Crummock and of course the lazy River Charente.

Graduating from Secondary education Hannah achieved fabulous results in her IGCSE examinations which allowed her to take up the place at Ardingly College in West Sussex where she is now in her first year of the International Baccalaureate program.

Here at home, Jamie progressed from Primary education to Secondary and now is the eldest child in our household! Of course the responsibility phase of that acknowledgment has still yet to be accomplished; however we have faith that all will resolve itself in time!

Hunter bubbles along, still geared around anything that has wheels or an outboard engine so there is plenty to occupy him with here at base.

Jo started her own early year’s school in the grounds of Olerai making use of the beautiful surroundings to provide a learning environment second to none for her chosen age group. The Olerai Nursery is full! Threats from yours truly to radio collar all the children in order to prevent incursions into my work environment have as yet not been needed!

I have been kept busy with all of the usual exciting elements of my day to day life.

Rancheros Visitadores keeps my horsemanship up and gives me a great excuse to experience Californian wilderness in the company of fine folk.

New challenges and changes in our style of safari keep my gray matter active as well as keeping Wildlife Explorer at the forefront of the high end safari market.

With another couple of months until the change of seasons we look forward to the time ahead and hope that this newsletter finds you all well.

With warm wishes,

Gary & Jo.