Kilimanjaro: Hahn & Team Complete Big Five Sighting
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We made the big move from the Ngorongoro Highlands to the Tarangire dry lands. But we didn’t rush it. A leisurely 9 AM departure gave us lots of time to enjoy the comforts of the Plantation Lodge. We made one stop for souvenirs and artwork, but then drove south and west to Tarangire. We entered the park at midday on what turned out to be a blazing hot day. All the usual players were visible immediately -impala, wildebeest and zebra. It took a little more poking around to see the odd Eland and Hartebeest. Tarangire is a series of three rivers running in parallel through arid land. It is a vast network of rough dirt roads going back and forth from one drainage to the next. Animals need the water and so we always have good luck in Tarangire. Especially with elephants. The team loved seeing giraffes but there were mixed feelings about eagle-owls. We saw a male and female lion, but we didn’t watch them for long…they were napping and we like our lions to be a bit more fiesty. We went deep into the park looking for leopards and finally Jacob jammed on the brakes and pointed up an acacia tree at a beautiful cat in a tree. The leopard was skittish though and hopped down to run off in the tall grass. We’d all gotten a look at him/her and seen the beautiful color and pattern of spots. This elusive leopard completed our “big five” hunt… but we want more. We’ve got an excellent chance of seeing leopards and lions early tomorrow on our final day of Safari. We are in a “tent camp” just out of the park boundary (the animals don’t know there is a boundary) and so we’ll begin the morning deep within the habitat already. Our last evening together was magical. We sat by a campfire as the sun went down and the super blue moon came up.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Comments (2)
AMAZING!! WOW!! What an experience y’all! The tent camp sounds interesting like it might be a little dangerous with all the animals that hunt in the dark!! We can’t believe all the animals you got to see in their own environment. How incredibly! So many wonderful memories! Thank you Cindee & Amanda & crew for letting us share in your adventure! Safe travels home!
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on
Love the photo of the big tree; it seems so iconic to a safari. Also, not sure what an eagle-owl is and why there were mixed feelings about it, but will ask Cindee when we talk next. Again, so exciting to hear about seeing the animals and the experiences you all had! Love this daily blog and thank you Dave for keeping family and friends updated! Safe travels!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on