Nikao

nice sdb2 did you enjoy the boat trips?
I must add that the reason I didn't really like the first one is that it was my first activity in the camp (and of the whole trip) and it felt a bit like a 'lost' photography opportunity.

sdb2

I did several boat trips, including one for fishing. Like you, I chose a boat ride as my first activity, mainly because I was pooped from having just arrived from the US. But I was impressed by how relaxing the ride was and how it afforded a great opportunity for close-up observation and photography of many bird species, especially the nesting white-fronted bee-eaters along the banks and kingfishers. But for sure I know what you mean about fretting over 'losing' valuable land safari time.

The last evening before departing I decided to fish. I don't really enjoy it that much, but I knew the staff looks forward to eating the catch. The tiger fish is nasty looking and very powerful.

http://www.africaguide.com/photolibr...t_special_view

As sundown was approaching during the fishing trip, the guides went over to a very small islet in the Rufiji (where several crocs were lounging until we arrived). They anchored, they set up a table with some snacks, and then opened a bottle of champagne. Sipping the bubbly and watching the sun set was just a perfect way to end the trip.

Nikao

wow amazing sunset sdb2!
When I was there the waterlevels were to low to go the the part where the birds are nesting in the bank... something to keep in mind when I'll return as that was one thing I was looking forward to for photographs

sdb2

Good bit of info about the water level. I should have remembered that when I was there (June) the staff would go out to assess the dropping levels, even that early.

PS, my last link should have been to a pic of a tiger fish.

Nikao

nasty (but tasty?) fish....

sdb2

Well, if I can get a word in edgewise after all those shoe ads!

I don't know how tasty the fish is, but the staff definitely eat it. I think they fry it up. We caught about 8-10 lbs of fish, which was consumed in one night. A lady caught a 33 lb catfish, which the staff took 2 nights to consume.

Nikao

When I was there a few guests ate their own catch as well, so it's not just the staff

atravelynn

Great photos. I especially liked the jackals on the giraffe kill with vultures lurking about. You caught some good impala action shots. Nice close ups of a couple of kingfishers.

What dates did you travel? Was there mention of a drought in Ruaha and the effects of it? I noted your comment on the lack of water for the shoreline bird shots.

Do you think a 5/5 split is a good combo or would 4/6 be better? Would 4/4 be adequate if that is all the time one had?

Thanks for the photos and your helpful comments on these 2 parks.

Nikao

thx atravelynn;

in regards to your questions:
I travelled from 10september - 21 september
I thought the 5/5 split was a good combo, but I probably would choose 4/6 if I had to do this again because I most admit I like Ruaha better. (might even skip on selous next time)
4/4 would definitely be adequate. Most people in the camps were there for 3 nights, some were there for 4.. but I was the only one staying for 5. Mainly because 90% of the people would also do Zanzibar at the end of their trip, while I skipped on that to be able to spend more nights in the bush.
I must say this will of course also greatly depend on your attitude towards safari's and how you do them; I was up at 5:45 and out on a gamedrive at 6:30 everyday, (even on the full day drives) while a lot of people like to wake up late and have breakfast in camp. Furthermore I'm also the type of guy who likes to spend much time with 1 sighting, and I can never get tired with watching animals and their action, no matter how many times i've seen them already (depends a bit on the type of animal to be honest).
But I know other people are more into 'ticking boxes' and they would ask me "you must have seen everything by now, haven't you?" .. those people are better of with 3/3 (+3 zanzibar) split I guess.

My comment about the lack of water was about Selous. But I did hear them talking about the drought in Ruaha, mainly the fact that the river is holding less water (due to the rice farms further upstream). There is also some research going on at the moment, on the effect on the predators. (the guides would phone in every lion sighting and sometimes take pictures)

TC

Nikao, Wonderful photos. So amazing to see the difference between your safari in September and ours, to the same locations, in January. What a transformation with a bit of rain! I totally agree -- we liked Ruaha more than Selous, although we found the 5 week old lion cubs in Selous. Hard to top that. Thanks for sharing and bringing back great memories.

atravelynn

Thanks for the info Nikao!

Femi

Thanks for your reports Nikao.