George in the wood shed

A storm came through camp today, one minute it was sunny and then the heavens opened. George Bush buck thought it would be a good idea to shelter in the wood shed. Good thinking George.

Visit from Arusha

The Greystoke team hosted 6 staff from the Arusha office. Everyone had a great time and managed to see the Chimpanzee’s. We hope to see you back next year.

Sundowners

Sun downer drinks are an important part of any Safari in Tanzania. It’s a chance to relax and recount the day’s activities while sipping your favorite beverage and watching the sun sink to the West. Last night as the sun disappeared it lit up all the clouds above the Mahale Mountains to the East, it was amazing.

Chimpanzee's hunting

Our guests John and Christine had a tough walk in the rain on Friday. Although they enjoyed themselves the Chimps had spread out in the forest and Mwiga our tracker was having a hard time finding a group that they could catch up to. They had to cross several streams which the rain had filled. On one crossing John slipped mid way and splashed into the water camera and all. At dinner we talked about how every day in forest is different, John admitted that they had come to Mahale not so much for the Chimpanzee’s but to relax at the end of their African Safari and were happy to just stroll in the forest.

On queue the Chimpanzees performed there magic on Saturday. After a short walk along the trail they found a large group of Chimpanzee’s including the highly ranked males. All of a sudden the males started hunting. With the lady Chimps, John and Christine watching from below the males shot up several trees at an incredible speed. Pimu the Alpha male pursued a young Red Colobus monkey through the canopy each jumping from branch to branch. Surprisingly the Colobus missed a branch and tumbled to the ground and into Christina’s (Chimpanzee not guest) arms. Pimu shot down and grabbed his prize from Christina. Christina was desperate for a share and held onto Pimu’s leg for dear life and was rewarded with a small piece of the monkey. Unfortunately the action was to fast for a decent photo but judging by the look on John and Christine’s faces when they returned to camp I think they will remember this day for a long time.

Rainy day

Unbelievable rain today, this is the first time we have seen the rain set in for the whole day. Incredibly Paulo and Alixandra had a great time watching the Chimps who were huddled together trying to stay out of the torrential downpour. After dinner it stopped pouring and we were able to light the fire and enjoy a drink while drying out our boots.

Leopard sighting

The manager’s house where I live is right down the southern end of the beach about 50 m past the last Banda. Yesterday afternoon around 4 pm I was walking home along the back path or service path that runs behind the Banda’s. As I walking behind Banda 6 I could here the alarm calls of several animals on either side of the path. At first I thought all the fuss was because of me so I stopped and froze with my back to the trunk of a large Palm tree. I stood stock still for at least 30 seconds picking out the different alarm calls and looking for the culprits. Above me a troop of vervet monkeys were going crazy, further into the forest I noticed a flock of guinea foul who were also making a racket, and behind me and above Banda 6 I could hear several baboons barking their distinctive warning call.  Just then I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye and slowly turned my head to the right expecting to see a baboon walking behind the tree. My heart stopped beating, she was small, about 40 to 50kg, and stunning with a striking pattern which looked so clean and fresh, she was only 10 feet away. The leopard walked right behind the tree I was leaning against then strolled onto the path just 10 feet in front of me, she didn’t look or even register that I was there. She slowly walked away down the path with her tail in the air curling to the left so that it looked like a question mark ? . The noise around me was incredible but her only reaction was a flick of the tail once then twice before she rounded the corner. I moved slowly after her and managed to see her turn into the grass and disappear.

Unexpected guest for afternoon tea

George bushbuck, Barbara’s partner decided to join us for afternoon tea, he actually licked the books on the coffee table.

Today we sent Zungu, our staff chef, back to the village to see his wife and new born baby, congratulations Zungu.