Tanzania: Lake Manyara: Aug 10 & 11

It is a saltwater lake and shrinks or grows depending on the seasonal rains and was called “the loveliest lake in Africa” by Ernest Hemingway. But this was way back 80 years ago. It was also a habitat for thousands of Flamingos, but now they all are gone, with ecological changes.

Along with the lake itself, the park boasts a varied ecosystem of forest, grassy floodplain, and acacia woodland that attracts animals.  We saw blue and olive moneys with long tails. They can jump from one treetop to another, almost 15 ft long. Their long tails helps them with balance as they jump.

We also saw elephants, giraffe, Impalas, water-buck and Water-Buffalo. No hippos or lions/leopards were sighted. The leopards are deep in the jangle and nocturnal.

p.s. Water Buffalo are second most dangerous animals after hippo, they are territorial and attack if you are close to them. Recently an American hunter and. Farmer from US was killed by them.

Impala below. See his back with black M shape, like MacDonald.

water-buck below:

Termite nest with a bird awaiting termite to come out and eat: The termite next goes 2 meters underground where queen lays 1000 eggs a day. They are approx. 2 cm long.

Sausage Tree: Leopards frequently use the large branches of sausage trees as resting spots, taking advantage of the shade and height to survey their surroundings and protect their meals from scavengers.