AFRICA SECRET PLACES from @shumbahills – BLOG#2, Southern Highlands of Tanzania, Ruaha and Udzungwa are rare gemstones for adventure lovers
In this new-coming blog I would like to draw your attention to some wonderful part of Tanzania which will be a special gift for all adventure lovers and enthusiastic travellers. Vast majority of foreign visitors to the country usually experience some amazing game-viewing places in so-called Northern Circuit (i.e. Serengeti & Ngorongoro conservation area) and after that proceed for relaxation on the coast of Zanzibar island or nearby disregarding the mostly scenic areas in this part of Tanzania. But going to Southern Highlands might be the big chance to see the mostly authentic and untouched by mass tourism areas of the country.
Ruaha river - June 2016
I would like to tell you our story of coming here. This trip was taken place in June 2016 and became an example of how it could be if anyone might travel to undiscovered places accompanied by the best and knowledgeable people. We were traveling together with some nice people who lived in South Tanzania for long time and know every corner of that area. One of them was also a perfect photographer and the other one worked in parks there as wildlife guide. It proves how important it can be to travel in proper support and assistance. We were crossing the area by vehicle and by small plain both, were walking in jungles and climbing mountains, swimming in waterfall’s pool, getting stuck on the roads and even lost in the never-ending fields of chilly pepper in local farms, doing great game-viewing and meet with local people. In other words we tasted a perfect way of travel you could not forget!
Good road in Southern Tanzania, June 2016
Not so good road) where we've got stuck - June 2016
Meet with local life en-route - June 2016
I’d like to give a special note to the places mostly impressive and I’m sure everyone could join me in my excitement. The first one is Ruaha park – the Jewel in the Crown of South Tanzania Highlands. We arrived there with small plane scheduled flight organized by Coastal Aviation company. The flight itself was a great scenic experience! We enjoyed the viewing from plane while flying from Dar-Es-Salaam over massive mountains and huge areas covered with lush jungle. Unfortunately we did not save our own pictures taken on flight but be sure the scenery was absolutely stunning! A simple arriving in Ruaha gives you a feel of getting into a magical world. The park is one of the most beautiful nature parks in Africa! Just imagine the vast open space of African savanna full of solitary or group of baobabs clusters and all this is rounded by distant hills melting in afternoon heat.
Arrival in Ruaha with small plane flight - June 2016
Open safari vehicle was waiting us by the airstrip - June 2016
Early morning and late afternoon photography in golden sunlight here gives you the opportunity to take great pictures and should not be missed.
Big stones of Ruaha in sundown - June 2016
But be prepared to spend a little bit more time here to compare with some well-known places like Serengeti. Ruaha will not open to you its beauty if you come here in rush and deep concern. You need to be more relaxed and open for new feelings.. sounds… and smells. You should be watchful as animals here may witness you from a top of a gigantic stone and you need to be like a wild animal on alert, looking and searching for to spot something interesting around you). But be sure you will be gifted with many uncommon and exciting moments as Ruaha is very rich with game. By the way there is one of the biggest lion population here and also you may come across lots of different kinds of animals and birds. Just always keep your cameras on turn-on!
A family of klipspringers, looked very relaxed - June 2016
Hyrax hiding in tree - June 2016
Our mobile camp, put on dry riverbed - June 2016
View from tents of the camp - June 2016
One of the story happened with us was a leopard story as I called it. We stayed in mobile camp deeply inside the park. The camp has been put on some dry riverbed and a huge mountain was seen right in front of our tents on the other side of the dried river. You may look at pics above to have a clear idea of our camp. One early morning we enjoyed our short coffee breakfast before departing on game-drive. It was still dark as sun was about to rise. One of a sudden we heard an alarm calls of baboons. I should say that baboons always try to spend night time trying to get somewhere higher and here in Ruaha they often sleep on tops of stones or trees above. Our guide told that baboon male gave his alarm call as he spotted some big predator.
Big baboon male tooth - June 2016
And it happened the case! We have been rewarded with a magnificent view of leopard climbing the slop in the rays of the rising sun! My husband’s photo camera was not enough ready hence we missed the chance to take good pic. But our partner was lucky to catch the great moment! Here is his picture and hope you may enjoy the moment as we did. When I look at this photo I always have a special feeling of coming back to Ruaha in my mind.
Photo of that leopard we watched, taken by David Liebst - June 2016
We did not spend long time in Ruaha as we wished and should be going to the other point of our trip. We passed some authentic places like Morogoro area full of farms and small factories, and some others as well before entered Udzungwa Mountains. It's simply a miracle in any respect! Just try to imagine the fact of around 80% of the park area is still remain undiscovered! Even every year the scientists discover a new fauna and flora species here. The magnificent Udzungwa Mountai range is home to several endemic species of mammals, birds, plants including a new genus of Primate, the Kipunji, as well as the Sanje Mangabey, Iringa red colobus monkeys, Rufous-wingled Sunbird and Udzungwa Forest Partridge. The park itself offers the best opportunity for forest guided walks, visits to bat caves, climbing the 2400 m high Nyumbanitu Mauntain and even you may spend some night inside the park in camp-sites. In short this place deserves a lot to spend more than 1 or 2 days there. We ourselves just did a short morning walk to Udzungwa waterfalls and enjoyed some birds and monkey calls on the way to and fro.
Falls in Udzungwa - June 2016
Monkey seen en-route in Udzungwa - forest walk in June 2016
But I’ve firmly decided to come back here and spend more time trying to get into the park climbing one of it’s narrow and precipitous paths. Who knows! May be I will discover some new specie of monkey or smaller creatures) Anyone could try to make famous discoverer and Udzungwa park gives this opportunity!
My husband at work - June 2016
(To be continued)