6th April
My Dad arrived in
Tanzania to visit me on what would be his first ever time in Africa. This
effectively makes me his guide, which I’m sure you’ll agree is a worrying
prospect. He flew in to Kilimanjaro airport in the North of Tanzania, so I flew
from Kigoma on the 4th in time to meet him. I can tell you for
nothing, flying is much more luxurious than the buses. The flight took the best
part of 2 hrs, the bus on the other hand takes 2 days with the extreme
likelihood of screaming, crapping children being near or on you.. mmm
 |
| Sunset over the Serengeti |
I decided to organize
my Dad’s visit into 3 chapters. Trying to mix in things that I’ve not already
done or to go to places I’ve not already been to. Therefore making the
experiences new for both of us. Chapter 1 would be Safari – something I’ve
already done lots of, but it’s a must for anyone visiting East Africa, its also
right up my street. Chapter 2 We plan to climb Kilimanjaro.. not sure what to
expect. Chris Moyles climbed it though so I’m optimistic. Chapter 3: Finish up
with a nice relaxing couple of
days in Zanzibar.
8th – 11th
April
Chapter 1: Ngorogoro
and Serengeti
Dads wallet allowed us
to do this 4 day safari in style. We stayed at some really nice lodges inside
the national parks and might have had a few cheeky massages as well. Deep
tissue of course. We went to much the same places as I went with Mum and Jules
but with a very different experience.
 |
| A lone Bull in the rain |
The highlight for me
were seeing 5 hyenas on the hunt in the Ngorogoro crater. Our timing was
impeccable. We pulled up just in time to see the hyenas hassling the flanks of
an isolated group of buffalo that had fallen behind the main herd. After some
time it was obvious they were going for a calf in the midst of the buffalo
group. The calf did not look all that well and must have been ill or something.
 |
| A picture that says it all |
After some time the rest of the group escaped leaving just the mother and the
calf. I have to say, the mother fought heroically but the odds were against her
and she was getting tired. Every time she chased one of the hyenas away another
would come and grab the calf, she would then chase that one away and the
process would repeat itself. After a few minutes of this the hyenas became more
brazen and began biting the tail of the mother.
 |
| Mum strayed too far |
 |
| Mum making a heroic charge |
Eventually, the mother strayed
a little to far from the calf in pursuit of one of the cackling hyenas. This
was the opportunity for the rest of the pack. The first to take advantage of
the opportunity pulled the calf to off its feet by biting and pulling on a rear
leg. As soon as the calf hit the ground, the rest moved as one and swarmed over
the calf. The gory scene was part obscured by the long grass, we could however
see the hyenas and hear the baying calf. It was clear that they were eating it
alive. All this the mother watched from a distance of 30m. Every now and then
she would work up the strength to charge them again but her efforts were
rewarded with more bites from the now blood crazed hyenas until she eventually
fled back to the herd.
 |
| Outnumbered and outgunned, mum accepts the outcome |
After about a minute the calf stopped baying at last,
not long after this one of the hyenas broke from the kill carrying the calf’s
head in its mouth.. Truly a gruesome spectacle.
We also got a great
view of a cheetah up close and followed him as he strolled through the open
woodland. The rarest of Africa's big cats.
 |
| Cheetah |
 |
| Cheetah |
 |
| Cheetah |
Dads highlight was a
herd of elephants right next to the road.
