TANZANIA 2009: An Afternoon at Tarangire NP

Once we reached the Tarangire Safari Lodge we settled into our tents before going to lunch. Situated on a bluff with a wonderful vista of the park this is an idyllic setting. The surrounding landscape is dotted with acacias and baobabs though it was extremely dry. From the patio we could see Elephants drinking from the remaining shallow pools along the Tarangire River (above). A Pygmy Falcon, Africa’s smallest raptor, was perched on a bare tree next to the tents as a Grey Woodpecker tapped on the trunk. Mottled Spinetails flew by at high speed zig-zagging between the baobabs on the escarpment.

Our afternoon game drive was spent within the Lemiyon region where there is a high concentration of baobabs, open savanna and woodlands. A pair of Secretary Birds were circling in unison high above the lodge as we left. With their rounded wings and long tail and legs these unique raptors are very distinctive in flight. As we followed the western bank of the river southwards, three lions were well concealed in the shade of shrubs. On one of them, all we could make out were paws sticking up as it slept on its back. Two White-headed Vultures (above) were flying over the far side of the river searching for a meal. Unlike the other vultures these striking birds keep to themselves and find their own food. The wetter stretches of the rivers produced an assortment of waders methodically prodding the soil for aquatic invertebrates.

One of our magical moments came when we encountered a large gathering of Wildebeest and Zebras walking along the eastern bank of the river (above). As Elephants moved along the river bed and away from us, the ungulates began to come down to drink, and we had a front row seat. Some jostled for prime positions, though only they knew what those were, while others expressed their displeasure at having someone else next to them. There was one younger elephant that was lagging behind the rest of the herd. She was upset with all the commotion, turned to face them and then thought better of it, and ran to join the rest of the family. For fifteen minutes, hundreds of animals streamed in, drank, and then moved on.

Four turkey-sized Southern Ground Hornbills (above) could be seen methodically working their way through the tall golden grasses, with eyes fixed to the ground, ready to pick off anything that they could find. We also encountered Orange-bellied Parrots, Black-faced and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, and heard Cocqui Francolins calling.

We ended the day with a Martial Eagle flying to its nest and an orange sunset melting behind silhouetted baobabs (above).