8.1.2023: Safari in the Mkomazi National park.
About 2 hours´ drive south from Moshi is the little town Same. There you branch off to the Mkomazi National park.
We start at 6 am. In the fresh morning air Kilimanscharo is perfectly visible, with the second summit Mawenzi (5.148 m).
Kilimandscharo
Mawenzi
Kilimandscharo and Mawenzi
The Mkomazi National park is not rich in animals, but has a beautiful landscape.
A large valley plain, surrounded by mountains, cavered with green after a few days of rain. However, the region has only little open water, so less animals than otherwhere.
Zebras ...
... and a few Elephants in some places.
This big one threatens us a bit.
Other fellows are peaceful.
We now approach a house, where we change the car. There is a separated area, electrical fenced, for the rhinos´s. The area is as large as 13 km2 6 rhino´s are living here The fence has to be guarded however to keep elephants off. Africans say "You cannot fence elephants".
So we change to another car ...
... and take with us this other guest, he is from Vienna.
This rhino is alive, but sleeping.
The driver takes us across, straight through the bush, smaller trees are knocked over - not that I would appreciate that, but you pay an extra 50 dollar and for this you get the guarantee to see a rhino from close.
Back at the house, the view to the east(?).
We now drive a tiring hour all through bushland with nearly no animal, until we finally reach the fenced area with the African wild dogs.
We are just in time: the dogs are served a cow head for lunch. Before they are allowed to approach, the head is tied tot a tree (otherwise, they would carry it to another area, away from the fence).
On a command , the whole pack infests the head.
On the drive back, we see these Kudu antelopes - this one a male ...
... and two female ones.
We now pay a visit to a lovely valley, where a dam was constructed to keep water for animals to drink.
Wonderful landscape, but still only a few animals.
Baobab tree.
In a small side valley we reach our tent camp where we have reservation.
A beautiful, new tent ...
... with a hot shower. At least.