Gone, Way Long Gone: Tarangire National Park

We left the fertile and lush Rhotia Valley and headed to Tarangire National Park, known for its large open savannahs dotted with acacia woodland and giant baobab trees! The presence of the Tarangire River means that this park is a refuge for wildlife during the dry season, resulting in a concentration of animals second only to that of Ngorongoro Crater. We saw lots of elephants!

Rouse is standing at the base of this Baobab Tree for size reference

Butt shots...

Warthogs

Impalas... marked with an "M" for MacDonald's ... lion's fast food

Elephants

Vervent Monkey... common name Blue Balls. Dr. Wilson noticed he's about to lose a fang.

His wife and baby

Hot day... animals taking refuge from the brutal sun

Not much water in this river. See the giraffe crossing the river bed in the distance?

Giraffe #2 is photo bombing!

Rouse is closing in on 200 species. Not bad for drive-by birding and never being allowed to walk away from our truck or camp site!

Yellow Collared Love Birds

White Headed Buffalo Weavers

African White Backed Vultures

White Bellied Go Away Bird

Late in the afternoon, we made our way to our final camp site at the Whistling Thorn Camp, so named for the typical African thorn-tree bush landscape. No running water here, but remember... we're "glamping"! Bush showers and sinks filled with warm water by request, and flush toilets filled from storage tanks outside (daytime use only... the tank must be disabled at night to prevent elephants from tearing it up in search of water.)

Home sweet home... notice our helpers carrying luggage on their heads