A pack of hyenas, with warthogs in the background
Today started with a long game drive. We saw the “usual suspects” – warthogs, gazelles, elands, impalas, elephants, giraffes, guinea fowl, various kinds of plover, white rhinos, superb starlings, and zebras. In addition, we saw some black rhinos, which are much more aggressive than the white ones. I had a good opportunity to see how the head shapes are different between the two species. We also got a good closeup look at a pack of hyenas in their burrows, including young ones. They are really interesting animals and I could watch them all day.
At the Equator
Next we paid a visit to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which was started with the assistance of Jane Goodall to provide a place for mistreated chimps to spend the rest of their lives. They live a quiet, safe, relatively natural life there. Then we went to the equator, and stood in that liminal space between the halves of our globe.
We also saw two more lionesses and two cubs. One of the lionesses wore a tracking collar for conservation purposes. On our way back to the camp for lunch, we saw some Sacred Ibis and Marabou Storks.
The second outing was later in the afternoon. We saw weaver birds and the nests they build in Acacia trees, got a good look at a jackal, and saw more of the usual suspects. The warthogs are really interesting because they hang out with just about all the other animals (except lions, that we could see), and nobody bothers them or minds, not even the hyenas. At the end of the drive, our driver surprised us by taking us to a sunset party that the Mutara Camp held for our whole Micato group. A fire, beverages, and snacks as we watched the sun set over a small lake. It was beautiful, and such a sweet gesture to celebrate our stay.
Tomorrow morning we head to the Maasai Mara.
I’ll just leave you with a photo of our bed as the turn-down service left it for us. There are a hot-water bottle and mattress warmer in there too, for these chilly nights.
Our mosquito-netted bed, lit up and lovely