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.

Read me Please!

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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6 fantastic activities you can do in Selous Game Reserve.

Selous Game Reserve is named after the late Captain Frederick Selous (1851 – 1917) who died in the reserved and buried in it at Beho Beho. He was a professional hunter who managed to shoot a number of animals, especial the dangerous ones such as 31 lions, more than 200 buffalos and elephants. If I were to narrate the story it will take a decade (I exaggerate that, but it will surely take long time). In this case I would recommend a guide book by Olli Marttila “The Great Savanna” The national parks of Tanzania and other key conservation areas. There is a great story about Selous Game Reserve and others.

The welcome comedy

Having said so let see what Selous has to offer. First af all it is one of the largest conservation areas in the in the world covering 50000km2. The environment is both striking and diverse, a mass of labyrinthine watercourse framed by spectacular borassus palms and ever – changing thickets and miombo savanna. Here roams the mightiest population of elephants in East Africa and the biggest population of buffalo to be seen anywhere on the African continent, and the reserve is also the world’s most significant stronghold for highly endangered wild dog. At the same time Selous is one of the last refuges of the browse, or black rhino.

Pick you style!

My current three weeks expedition in the reserve left me in awe; I mean it took my breath away despite the fatigue induced by constant classes we took in the wilderness as students. I learnt the techniques of hunting, preparation of trophies “skinning”, making of biltong and guarding at night to keep hyenas away from the biltong. Quite amusing!

Drying biltong. 

1. Photographic Tourism

The Northern part of the reserve is dedicated to photographic tourism know as tourist blocks. This goes as far as from Mtemere gate to Matambwe gate. Plenty of animals are seen here from greater kudu to the lesser you name them.

National Symbol of Tanzania "a giraffe".

2. Hunting

From the late Frederick Selous to myself and possibly you, there is a good quality quota offered here. All it takes is a license or a permit to hunt in the designated hunting blocks. There a number of hunting operators in the country who will facilitate you to your moment of life changing experience. Although I was in a group of students but it was a magical moment experience. Do you have some guts? “I dare you”. Remember hunting exercise is meant to utilize wildlife sustainably and not the other way round.

Am your professional hunter to be!

3. Camping

It was my first time camping in a large group but still my adrenaline wouldn’t leave me from anxiousness   and little bit of fear. Especially on the first few days, am sure you won’t ask me why on this, will you? Anyway there are lot of camp sites in the reserve to mention a few; Hippos camp, Butembo camp and many others.

 

Game meat barbecue at the camp site. (Linda & Me)

4. Mode of transportation

This is out of ordinary in most cases, especially in Tanzania conservation area. Not only that but some travelers don’t take much notice on the transportation mode they chose for their destination. Well I do and what I find cool here is the variety. In 2008 I came to the reserve by “chemin de fer” (French) meaning the train, and this time by vehicle, other option includes aircraft. And if only Rufiji River had no hippos and crocs I would definitely consider a boat ride.

Am your pilot to be. Inspired by Suzan Mashibe.

5. Walking safari

I had my share when conducting transect walk for animal counting exercise and it surely proved to me that nothing beats the calmness and enchanting wilderness. I encourage you to do this and you can plan it with a tour operator of your choice, simply satisfying.

Walking the transect.

6.  Community services

I know it sounds awkward but impacting positive effect into someone’s life is totally glamorous. It sure is, most especially when it leads to a win - win kind of situation. Poaching is serious and conservation is still mysterious, trying to be helpful by educating the community adjacent to the reserve could reduce the effects. I know there are lodges out there encourage visitors to donate for their outreach programs, but I think it is high time that we should consider community service as tourism activity as well. Setting down and participating in some activities that the local community do is very amusing as you learn new ways of life at the same time impacting knowledge.

Community work by the humanitarian ME with the bucket and other students!

My next safari this weekend is to Tarangire and Manyara National parks stay tune for the sensational report coming afterwards. Thank you and good luck.

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