RUAHA NATIONAL PARK - TANZANIA
Thank you for joining us for part two of our Tanzanian East African Safari into the Ruaha National Park.
MAF_435Ruaha National Park Waking up to the view of the dry river bed of the great Ruaha River - Ruaha National Park
So after four fantastic days in Selous National Park it was time for another internal bush flight to the great arid region which is Ruaha National Park, staying at one of the English owned Foxes Safari camps, namely Ruaha River Lodge.
Ruaha National Park is one of the best parks for predators in Africa but is generally overlooked by visitors as other parks tend to be more accessible - a blessing for those that do venture here. Not only is Ruaha's wildlife amazing but it is possible to drive all day in the park without seeing another vehicle! In stark contrast to Selous Game Reserve; which when we left was getting very wet; Ruaha when we arrived had yet to experience any rain since spring. This of course was to change the first night us Brits arrived! After being promised a rain free 1st game drive by the camp manager it promptly rained on us! Not that it spoilt anything of course as the shower soon past, leading to some spectacular wildlife views.
Ruaha River Lodge is situated on one of the many bends of the so called Great Ruaha River but of course at this time of year the river is bone dry. Our banda (hut) was located right on the river bank and we could enjoy splendid views of Elephant digging for water right outside our door! Luckily for them they did not seem to have to dig down all that far to find water but watching them in action was classic David Attenborough stuff!!!
Below are a few highlights of our trip to Ruaha.
MAF_003On approach Ruaha MAF_492Ruaha Airport
On approach Ruaha Airport and terminal Buildings!
MAF_007 First Elephant sighting on route from airport
MAF_009 MAF_019
ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!
MAF_025Rock Hyrax MAF_093
Closest relation to the Elephant, the Rock Hyrax, apparently!!!
MAF_048Jackle MAF_051
DAY OF THE JACKAL!
MAF_058European Bee eater MAF_065
European Bee eater There's a lion in there somewhere!
MAF_198Ruaha River Lodge The start of another day in Ruaha
MAF_079 No problem with lice with all these Oxpeckers about!
MAF_137Lilac Breasted Roller
The superb Lilac Breasted Roller takes some beating for colour.
MAF_159 MAF_158
Ostrich!
MAF_162Lion
King of the beasts!
MAF_262 MAF_260
Rush Hour in Ruaha
MAF_288 Three stages of Zebra
MAF_149 Not more tourists disturbing my sleep! (Vaerreux Eagle Owl)
MAF_281 MAF_304
Male Kudu
MAF_360 Superb male Leopard....bit tired though :)
MAF_321
WARNING THESE NEXT IMAGES ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!!!!!!!!!
As you are about to see Lion eating Elephant!!!!
MAF_249 MAF_248
MAF_253
MAF_464 Probably not the safest place to do a spot of fishing you would think but then apparently Crocodiles do not like birds as they can't deal with their feathers. MAF_433 The end of another day in Ruaha, definietly must qualify for dark sky status!
So that concludes our brief three day trip to Ruaha National Park. I hope the picture above the pictures above give a brief insight into our time there. If you you would like to view all of the images from the trip please feel free to follow the links below. It's now time for us to depart the East African mainland and board yet another internal flight to the Island of Zanzibar.
http://www.markflynnphotography.com/ruahanationalpark
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