Blog

July 01, 2014

Update from the field – Ruaha National Park

By Ryan Green and Lewis Mangaba, Guide Trainer, Asilia Tanzania

Kwihala Camp has recently reopened after the seasonal break, and already the wildlife sightings have been nothing short of spectacular. Here we recap on the sightings and highlights of the last ten days.

With the rainy season now behind us, the landscape takes on the typical dun colours of the African dry winter season. The hooves of buffalo herds kick up dust clouds as they return to the Mwagusi and Great Ruaha Rivers from their highland summer feeding ranges, dry grasses crackle underfoot and the rivers slow to a trickle before disappearing underground into the thick sandy substrate. Summer’s rampant vegetation begins to wither and die back, opening up sightlines across the land again, revealing endless vistas of rolling hills and rugged gorges studded with enormous baobabs marching towards a horizon marked by jagged peaks.

       scenic trees

The large rainy season congregations of elephants begin to disperse into smaller family groups as they roam further afield in search of sustenance, Greater Kudu are seen more frequently as their favoured forest hiding-places begin to thin out, and everywhere we see Grant’s gazelles, warthogs and impalas, towered over by journeys of Maasai giraffes.

Ellies giraffe

Predator sightings in the last weeks have been good, with lions, leopard and cheetah sighted.

lion prideThe Grumpy Pride scouting for prey.

Mwagusi lionsThe Mwagusi river is filled with deep loose sand, with water bubbling from underneath. Here Grumpy’s pride are seen resting after a successful night’s hunting.

Leopard“A beautiful leopard we encountered one morning, cloud-shadow softening the morning light to glittering gold, penetrating deep into the animal’s soul.” – Lewis Mangaba

Lewis Mangaba, Guide Trainer with Asilia, had an incredible, and rarely-seen sighting one morning, and shares it here in his poetic prose:

“The mountain range rose in the background. Now and then a sudden blast of air scattered grit. We plunged into the early morning chill, driving through a landslide of gigantic baobab trees and boulders. Around eight we were just about to slow down for breakfast when we noticed a giraffe’s curiosity drawn away from us. Within a few feet from where we had brought the vehicle to a halt something pulled out of the grass; then came the sound of many baboons shouting in agitation. With an aggressive explosion of energy the cheetah took off – leaping through the tall grass towards its meal. Embraced in a dance of death the two hit the ground with a thud sending up a puff of dust as if a bullet had struck.”

cheetahThe cheetah feasting on its kill

As the dry season progresses, we can expect more and more action to occur around the riverbeds, particularly when the herds of buffalo begin to run the gauntlet of the thirteen lions prides centred around the confluence of the Great Ruaha and Mwagusi Rivers. This epic battle in the dance of life and death will once again play out, and we at Kwihala will have front-row seats to this thrilling spectacle.

Add comment

By Ryan Green and Lewis Mangaba, Guide Trainer, Asilia Tanzania

Kwihala Camp has recently reopened after the seasonal break, and already the wildlife sightings have been nothing short of spectacular. Here we recap on the sightings and highlights of the last ten days.

With the rainy season now behind us, the landscape takes on the typical dun colours of the African dry winter season. The hooves of buffalo herds kick up dust clouds as they return to the Mwagusi and Great Ruaha Rivers from their highland summer feeding ranges, dry grasses crackle underfoot and the rivers slow to a trickle before disappearing underground into the thick sandy substrate. Summer’s rampant vegetation begins to wither and die back, opening up sightlines across the land again, revealing endless vistas of rolling hills and rugged gorges studded with enormous baobabs marching towards a horizon marked by jagged peaks.

       scenic trees

The large rainy season congregations of elephants begin to disperse into smaller family groups as they roam further afield in search of sustenance, Greater Kudu are seen more frequently as their favoured forest hiding-places begin to thin out, and everywhere we see Grant’s gazelles, warthogs and impalas, towered over by journeys of Maasai giraffes.

Ellies giraffe

Predator sightings in the last weeks have been good, with lions, leopard and cheetah sighted.

lion prideThe Grumpy Pride scouting for prey.

Mwagusi lionsThe Mwagusi river is filled with deep loose sand, with water bubbling from underneath. Here Grumpy’s pride are seen resting after a successful night’s hunting.

Leopard“A beautiful leopard we encountered one morning, cloud-shadow softening the morning light to glittering gold, penetrating deep into the animal’s soul.” – Lewis Mangaba

Lewis Mangaba, Guide Trainer with Asilia, had an incredible, and rarely-seen sighting one morning, and shares it here in his poetic prose:

“The mountain range rose in the background. Now and then a sudden blast of air scattered grit. We plunged into the early morning chill, driving through a landslide of gigantic baobab trees and boulders. Around eight we were just about to slow down for breakfast when we noticed a giraffe’s curiosity drawn away from us. Within a few feet from where we had brought the vehicle to a halt something pulled out of the grass; then came the sound of many baboons shouting in agitation. With an aggressive explosion of energy the cheetah took off – leaping through the tall grass towards its meal. Embraced in a dance of death the two hit the ground with a thud sending up a puff of dust as if a bullet had struck.”

cheetahThe cheetah feasting on its kill

As the dry season progresses, we can expect more and more action to occur around the riverbeds, particularly when the herds of buffalo begin to run the gauntlet of the thirteen lions prides centred around the confluence of the Great Ruaha and Mwagusi Rivers. This epic battle in the dance of life and death will once again play out, and we at Kwihala will have front-row seats to this thrilling spectacle.

ABOUT US

Tailor-Made Luxury Adventures

Since 2002, Asia to Africa Safaris has arranged thousands of unforgettable safaris. We are fully equipped with the knowledge, experience and relationships to customize and organize truly authentic, exclusive, safe and seamless African safaris around the continent.

Connect with us