Safari Experiences from Rufiji River Camp - Day 2
Sleeping in a tent right by the riverbank on the African savannah is an absolutely amazing experience! The complete silence, broken only by the occasional hippo roar, monkeys and baboons jumping from tree to tree, and the crickets chirping, creates a symphony of nature's own creation. The incredibly beautiful starry sky here truly takes your breath away. Looking up at the clear night sky, free from light and exhaust pollution, is like catching a glimpse of the universe's infinity. In the Southern Hemisphere, the stars are brighter and more numerous, almost as if they are closer here in the bush.
The morning began with an early breakfast in the camp's dining area. Eating with a view of the river was an experience in itself. Before the day's adventure began, we could observe hippos lounging in the water and birds flying low over the river in search of breakfast.
Today's main activity was a full-day safari drive in Nyerere National Park. Our guide, Daimon, is a skilled tracker who knows the park like the back of his hand. Along with our incredibly skilled driver, Lucas, we experienced a safari that was both exciting and comfortable. Lucas had an impressive ability to navigate the Land Rover through all terrains while ensuring we passengers had a pleasant experience.
It was an experience that reminded me of countless hours in front of the TV, captivated by Animal Planet and the incredible documentaries with David Attenborough's unforgettable voice. Being here, in the heart of real, pulsating nature, felt like stepping into Attenborough's magical universe. Every animal movement, every bird's call, and the changing landscapes we passed through felt like a live scene from his documentaries.
Throughout the day, we saw an impressive amount of wildlife. Here are some of the amazing creatures we observed:
- Impala
- Eland (Common Eland)
- Greater Kudu
- Buffalo
- Bushbuck
- Wildebeest
- Red Duiker
- Waterbuck
- Hartebeest
- Nile Crocodile
- Monitor Lizard
- Giant Plated Lizard
- Hippopotamus
- Warthog
- Masai Giraffe
- Side Striped Ground Squirrel
- Black and White Colobus
- Vervet Monkey
- Yellow Baboon
In addition to an endless array of over 440 bird species. But the highlight for me was seeing a small herd of elephants. Baby elephants are some of the cutest things I've ever seen!
I now face an exciting challenge, as there are still several animal species on my list that I hope to observe. Here are the ones I still need to tick off:
- Lion
- Spotted Hyena
- African Wild Dog
- Leopard
- Banded Mongoose
- Common Slender Mongoose
- Honey Badger
- Civet
- Suni
- Rock Python
- Black Mamba
- Plains Zebra
- African Bush Pig
- Aardvark
- Genet
- Porcupine
- Blue Monkey
- Bushbaby
Each sighting brings me one step closer to completing my list, and I look forward to every new discovery with excitement!
We also recently heard that a small pride of lions has been spotted not far from camp, which adds extra spice to my anticipation for tomorrow's safari!
I can hardly wait to start another day of adventure. We begin the day with an early morning safari, and the thought of it makes it hard to sleep. In the evening, we have a boat safari to look forward to, which is always an unforgettable experience.
Good night from the bush – stay tuned for more adventures!