Pack for a purpose

A Canadian guest recently arrived with a bag full of medicines for the local village clinic at Katumbi just outside Mahale to the north.
 Pack for a Purpose is an organisation whose mission is to assist travellers who would like to positively impact communities in the countries they are visiting.  http://www.packforapurpose.org/docs/countries/tanzania/greystoke-mahale.shtml

 Katumbi clinic serves approx 3000 local residents and is assisted by the Nomad Trust.
Kerrie set off in a boat to deliver the much appreciated new supplies. Nurse Elizabeth was extremely grateful for the contribution. The impact these contributions makes, hit home strongly as a funeral was being held that day for a young lady and her child who both died while giving birth.
 Being extremely remote here in the west of Tanzania, these communities can be somewhat forgotten when it comes to receiving outside help.
 

Lounging Luvlees

Mahales 3 resident warthogs made themselves quite comfortable in the dining area yesterday much to the guests delight! Big Bird was reasonably put out by the fuss made over them and quickly set off making sweeping and soaring flights along the beach demonstrating the best we had taught her so far. It wasn't enough really.

 

Pelican brief

Often upstaging the chimps "Big Bird" continues to be loved by all who visit here. It's not everyday you get to pat a tame pelican! She is extremely tolerant, sweet and possibly a boy, nobody can really say just yet.
 "Flight training" commences before breakfast most mornings if wind conditions allow. Even Big Bird knows that taking off with a back wind is foolhardy.
 Flights over the water are common now and even a loop around the back of the mess was witnessed. Landings are at best shaky and we often have to look away as she underestimates ground speed and stopping distances. All too cute though.
Next she really needs to improve her fishing techniques.

Where mangos, chimps go

Trees laden with mangos prove irresistible to our hairy neighbours at this time of year and we are being visited regularly in camp by M-group members. Sometimes it's Orion who is sneaking around with Cynthia at the moment on some kind of extended date and avoiding the higher ranked males for fear of a beating having singled out one of their prime females. Other times Alofu and his loyal followers have strolled through the back of the camp to feast and swing through the mango tree briefly before Primus turns up throwing his weight and branches about and spoiling the peace much to our visitors delight. On days between camp visits guests are still required to hike well into the park at times for even more rewarding chimp encounters.

Mango snack