Wildebeests constantly make this little calling sound, which is their way of communicating with each other. I had no idea that the migration was so noisy. Apparently, all the animals are noisy in Africa, not just neighborhood dogs and roosters!
Zebras tend to stand in pairs so that they can look for predators in every direction at once. They will often rest their noses on each other's backs, which is very cute. Wildebeests all tend to face in the direction they are migrating, even when they are grazing.
Wildebeests and zebras have a symbiotic relationship - zebras can see but can't smell, and wildebeests can smell but not see. Together, they can see and smell the predators which feed on them from a long distance away, and will warn the entire herd when danger is near. Lots of other animals are on the fringes of the migratory path, so where you find the migration, you will also find a lot of other sitings.
Tembo, twiga and zebras are everywhere. As exotic as they seem to us, they are not a rare sight on the Serengeti. I will never tire of looking at them, and marveling at how they are roaming free on the plain. They are a national treasure, and Tanzania is doing a good job of managing this precious resource to preserve them for future generations.
After the wildebeest migration, we dedicated the remainder of the day to looking for the other animals on our list we most wanted to see. We had a boxed lunch at a picnic area where there were hoards of hyraxes laying in the sun and cadging food from the tourists. Then we spent the afternoon driving around scouting out the wildlife. We saw lots of the usual zebras, twiga, tembo and gazelles, along with a variety of interesting birds, a couple of leopards in trees, a lion or two, and a lot of tourists riding around standing up.
Not gonna lie, the animals looked at us every bit as much as we were looking at them, and it wasn't lost on me that we were the ones in the metal cages. I kind of think that's the way it should be. Once you have seen an elephant striding across the Serengeti Plain, you will never see an elephant the same way again. They are majestic and regal, and they stride with such purpose and intention. It is enlightening to see these exotic creatures in their natural habitat, where they are meant to be.
Ema knew his way around, and got us to the animals we wanted to see with amazing efficiency, giving us information on the different trees and species before us, all the while negotiating the tough landscape and harsh driving conditions.
The Serengeti Plain is fascinating to me. It is so very vast, it can be overwhelming. You can look for miles, and see nothing but plains grasses and scrub bushes. It is fascinating to realize the amount of wildlife that is just below the surface where you cannot see it. Looking for animals is much more difficult than I imagined, because when they drop down to the ground, their unique camouflage renders them truly invisible. Animals can literally be a few yards from you without being revealed, which I find endlessly intriguing.
We were tired early (we were tired the entire day, really, who am I kidding? So many naps...) so Ema dropped us at the lodge at 5. Dinner didn't begin until 7, and the shower was particularly appreciated, as we were dusty from the day of driving around. After trying to pet the giraffes which were right up by the lodge, watching the sunset, and a quick dinner, we all fell into bed around 9, ready for another day of exciting animal adventures the following morning. Who KNEW being driven around all day could be so wearing?
Some facts from the day:
- Safari guides help each other locate the animals. Those CB radios are not just for looks. They use them, a lot, to let everyone know what animals are located where.
- It is pretty entertaining to be at a site and watch all the vehicles converging as they race to try and catch the animal before it disappears.
- Guides go to school for years to learn their profession, and have a lot of knowledge and information, if you take the time to talk with them. They also enjoy getting together after hours, where they no doubt discuss their tourists as much as their tourists enjoy discussing the animals. I have a sneaking suspicion that we were also on display.
- Ignorance is a plague upon humanity, and it has no borders. I hope that we represented America well, and left a good impression in our wake.
- I can put up with just about anything except having a bad shower to start my day.
- Twiga (giraffes) are not very bright, and they are the most awkward animals ever. You cannot help but laugh when you see them.
- Baby anything is too cute for words.
- Monkeys will jump into an unattended safari vehicle and wreak havoc. It is funny when it's not your vehicle and your stuff.
Tomorrow is another day. More posts to follow!
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