kimburu

It's going to take a while to complete a trip report and maybe even longer to finish editing my photos, so this is a pre-report summary of highlights by park. I am still stunned we did it all and saw it all - we were so lucky this time around.

Tsavo East - Kilimajaro; bull elephant having a bit of a tantrum in camp; hirola; cheetah and cubs; Baboon with our coffee (on the same tray!); endless elephants; gerenuks; dinner on the verandah; Mrs K tries to put together the concepts of "suite" amd "bucket shower"; much better camp than you might think.

Tsavo West - Wild dogs; the hippo that keeps time; klipspringers; birds of prey; so many lesser kudu; views and more views; no rhino; the border time forgot; did I say "wild dogs"?

Tarangire - Views from Safari Lodge; tree-climbing lions; lion cubs; the herd of eland that didn't get away; birds and more birds; superb starlings on a carcass; slender or dwarf mongoose, and what is the plural anyway?; photo storage disaster - bring a spare transformer!

Ruaha - Wilderness; elephants and buffalos in camp - great camp; walk in paradise; tiny hippo with pink bootees; Babu our 84-year old companion; PANGOLIN in broad daylight; lions and cheetahs; lunch by the zebra kill; tsetses (lots of); really chased by an elephant at last; dinners under the stars with good company; an education.

Mara - Cheetah kill; tiny little cheetah cubs; larger-sized cheetah cubs; cheetah cubs on vehicles; three overweight cheetah brothers; funny looking cheetah; cheetah outside our tent; wildebeest crossing; zebras outsmarting the crocodiles (almost); leopard hunting - twice; three zorillas; serval; bat-eared foxes; bushbabies; lion cubs; a leopard with cubs; Bella seems sick; Mara Serena is fenced but don't tell the hyena; jackal pups; breakfast (accidently) with lions; truly great camp.

I've no doubt forgotten to include a few things, but Mrs Kimburu has it all written down, so it'll make the trip report when I can decipher her handwriting. Itinerary was

4 nights Satao - Tsavo East
3 nights Ngulia Safari Camp - Tsavo West
3 nights Tarangire Safari Lodge
5 nights Mdonya Old River Camp - Ruaha
1 night Nairobi
3 nights Mara Serena
3 nights Kicheche Bush Camp - Olare Orok (but most drives headed to the Mara)

Best times of all were in Ruaha and at Kicheche Bush Camp, but Tarangire is great, and Satao is an excellent place to stay - if you're an elephant fan, book a week in one of the suites in the dry season and you'll be in heaven.

Back to work....

atravelynn

What a teaser! Welcome back.

emowens

Wow! how lucky you were to have seen so much.

Leely2

Wild dogs.
Pangolin in daylight.

You win. Forever.

Welcome back kimburu and Mrs. Kimburu! Can't wait to read what will undoubtedly be a colorful and charming report.

twaffle

Africa really delivered for you, I can't wait to read your trip report (soon!) and see some photos. Am very envious at the variety of different species and you saw hirola, that is pretty lucky by anyones standards. I suppose that was from the herd which was relocated a while ago from Ijara district. So few animals in such a large area.

Treepol

Hi Kimburu,

Pangolin - wow, and a hippo wearing bootees . Good to see that you had wonderful wildlife viewing and I can't wait to hear more.

Cheers,


Pol

Kavey

Wow, Kimburu, you had some AMAZING AMAZING sightings!

kimburu

Thank you Lynn and Leely. And yes we saw the relocated herd, twaffle - and a loan male the next day.. so we were very lucky. I have pictures of the hippo Treepol... how is your report coming along by the way? When we hit day 20 I thought of you!

Can't wait to write all about it and relive it again...

Nyamera

Kimburu and Mrs. Kimburu, welcome back! Wild dogs and pangolin? What about the coastal topis?

Patty

You accomplished your assignment =D>

Wild dogs amp;

Oh, this is going to be a good one!

Why do you need to go back to work?

kimburu

The hirola are as close as I got to coastal topis, Nyamera.... unfortunately.... anyway, it is good I didn't get everything - I might start beleiving in my burgeoning special powers to call animals at will (with the exception of rhino - and it apparently only works when Mrs Kimburu is in a good mood).

Yes, Patty, mission was accomplished by day 6. Need to go back to work to pay for the next trip.... have not managed to become "independently wealthy" yet.

Treepol

Hi Kimburu,

my report is finished and all photos posted, although the 'last chapter' only went up last night.

Link to Northern and Southern Tanzania Circuits

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...chText=treepol

and to Botswana and Namibia

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...chText=treepol

Cheers,

Pol