The fear factor at Meserani Snake Park.

In  1999 was the first time I visited Meserani Snake Park. It was a school study tour, and by that time I was in class three (3). We took off to Manyara National Park and on our way back to school is when we had to stop and visit the snake park. Watching snakes in their cages was cool but touching the non - venomous snake was freaking crazy. I couldn't dare! Well there were other activities like camel back riding and greeting some Maasai who were hanging around. By that time Maasai cultural museum was out of the picture, I congratulate the park management for establishing one.

This is how my second time visit of 29/03/2014 looks like in the picture. Accidentally I forgot the names of these awesome creatures.

This is how I let go of my fears.

Inside the Maasai Cultural Museum. The below are models and not real Maasai

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Be aware of Musth a dangerous seasonal behavior of male elephant

My last visit to Tarangire National Park exposed me to a behavior of grown male elephant known as Musth. The bull elephant was very uncomfortable in a way my peers thought it was sick. It changed tune and started acting aggressively towards our vehicle and other nearby tourists. We had to leave the place at once and It caught my attention and here is what I found out.

Musth from scientific point of view is a periodic condition of bull or male elephant which is characterized with aggressive behavior resulting from a rise of production hormones. The hormone is called testosterone which is found in mammals, birds and other vertebrates where in mammals it is secreted by testicles of males and ovaries for female, it's a principle element for male sex hormone whereby a small amount of it is produced from adrenaline glands.

A bull elephant in Musth may be identified in the national park or game reserve through a discharge of fluid called temporin from temporal ducts on both sides of his head. The temporin fluid contain protein and other smelling cholesterol materials which some amount of it passes through the mouth of the elephant creating uncomfortable situation causing him to react vigorously towards anything coming his way
Another contributing factor for harshness during Musth is that this period may be accompanied by a swelling of temporal glands which passes through the eyes and causes acute pain comparable to severe root sore toothache. Some male elephants try to counteract this by digging their tusks into the ground.

Please observe the flow of temporin fluid between the ears and eyes of the bull elephant.

Do not go closer to any elephant bull when you observe such signs, it was reported that a woman was killed by a bull in Musth in Marangu village in Tanzania. Be ware and be worn!

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The magic behind the Maasai colorful attires (Shuka).

If you are such a fashion fanatic or lover you might if not must read or watched Louis Vuitton spring/summer 2012. Am talking about the Maasai shuka, the fashion runway was colorful than never before this is my on opinion. The inspiration behind was from East African one of a kind Maasai tribe which are mainly found in Tanzania and Kenya.

If you have ever visited Tanzania you must have seen these magnificent group of people in there local settings or residence. Ngorongoro Conservation Area offers you 100% chance to meet, see and learn one, or two things from the Maasai, because they dwell with their livestock in the area. Hopeful you know how they dress super colorful in there shukas. If you you haven't visited Tanzania and have no clue about the Maasai, here is part of their rich tradition and basically I will show you how they rock in their traditional attires. The traditional way Maasai shuka is simply draped around the body but you can do it your own way and rock it! You can learn from my photos below.

Me on the left and A Maasai I met at 4 season hotel earlier this year.

Make a jacket out of the Maasai Shuka  

Drape it like you got no time.

Make a suite 

Let it flow like a pony tail.

Tie a knot and relax

Green is the color of life

Energize yourself with the colors and lough out loud

Show it like you mean it.

See you next time

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The diary of Serengeti Ecosystem lions

On our world today a good number of people have their personal books famously known as diary We have read a lot about different stories from these personal note books and probably watched one or two movies of such topics example the Diary of a black mad woman. Have you ever wondered how lions of Serengeti ecosystem put down their daily stories? First and forward most Serengeti ecosystem includes; Serengeti national park, Ngorongoro Conservation area, Ikona wildlife management area, Loliondo game controlled area to mention a few.

This is a pictorial diary of the lions, take a look and enjoy.

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The wow point at Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Have you have been told something and you couldn't agree, until it hits you so hard till you see stars? That happened to a friend when we where at Ngorongoro. Our tour guide informed as that we were at the famous wow point in Ngorongoro, and my friend asked what was that suppose to mean. The guide said that who ever gets here must go woooooooooow in astonishment. My friend said that was crazy, 2 minutes after stepping out of the vehicle he was freaked out and went on woooooooooooow supported by everyone else  around.

Wooooooooow!

Me

Me on the right facing the camera with a friend.

Don't ever forget your binoculars when you visit Ngorongoro because you'll definitely miss out the exciting moments at the wow points. I dare say you will be blown away and wish to pend your time there just admiring the scenery. 

If you have never been to Ngorongoro you are missing out the mesmerizing features that will transport you to Eden Garden experience. Welcome to Tanzania my friend.

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What you may not know about Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire National Park has tales one can't ever forget. This spectacular savanna environment host the largest terrestrial animal "the elephants" (Loxodonta Africana) and dotted with monumental baobabs like no other national park on the Northern Circuit of Tanzania. Recently I had an opportunity to camp at Kwakuchinja adjacent to Tarangire, and this is how I can tell my endless story about Tarangire.

The mysterious gigantic monumental baobabs (Adansonia diditata)
It is  that a large propotion baobabs found in Tarangire are estimated to be more than 2000 years old and there are no young ones to be found. This is most probably due to heavy browsing by elephants and fruits are eaten by other animal species such as monkey. Given that there are no younger generations available, the future of baobab in Tarangire is naturally some what uncertain.

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Baobab trees

The incredible large groups of elephants
Tarangire is the most famous Northern Circuit national park that boost of having large groups of elephants.
I had the chance to have photo taken with elephants as background at Tarangire river.

Elephant family at the Tarangire river

Simply magical!

All animal extravaganza!
Tarangire have varieties of species to enjoy watching, one to die for is the beisa oryx despite that it is not a guarantee. I think this make this animal so interesting because you will need to pull out your adventurous spirit to be successful. It is worthy it! But the occurence of other common species such as zebras, buffalo and others is high.

The stupid faced wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus)

colorful zebra (Equus quagga)

The playful vervet monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythrus)

Bird watching

This is among the most spectacular thing one has to enjoy effortlessly. More than 500 bird species are recorded in Tarangire NP, just at the main gates your first encounter is most likely to be these amazing avifauna. The true diversity of the bird life is particularly in evidence early in the morning, when the chorus is at its finest, and an extra bonus is provided on the flood plains by the arrival of the water birds in the wet season.

The Superb starling (lamprotornis superbus)

The White-headed buffalo-weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli)

The Small Serengeti Plain within Tarangire
Serengeti NP is the most famous and popular national park in Tanzania, well know for the easy visibility of wildlife due to its plain area. The good news is Tarangire has it own small serengeti were by the area is similarly characterized as the Serengeti national park. I dare you!

Small Serengeti Plain

At the plain, challenged by a traffic due to the presence of a Cheetah 

Pavilion

elephant skull display 

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