Safari Experiences from Rufiji River Camp - Day 4
Waking up to the sunrise over the Rufiji River has become a habit I will never forget. The first rays of the sun break through the morning mist and reflect in the water, while the hippos slowly come to life. The sound of birds fills the air, and I feel incredibly fortunate to experience this amazing place.
The night brought two unforgettable encounters. First, a herd of elephants, the number of which we couldn't determine, decided to take an evening walk through the camp. It was both intimidating and fascinating to hear the enormous creatures moving so close. Then, an American woman had an unfortunate meeting with a scorpion in her tent. Instead of blowing the whistle that calls the Masai warriors for help, she tried to remove it herself. It's incredibly foolish to handle a scorpion or any other creatures without knowing whether they are dangerous or not. Luckily, she was fine, but she was left with a red, swollen mark from the sting. I saw her at breakfast, relieved that she had escaped without serious injury. I can only hope she has learned from her mistake, though it's hard to say...
In addition to all the usual nighttime sounds, I've noticed a distinct noise that I couldn't identify. Today, I found out that this sound comes from a Zanzibar galago, also known as a Zanzibar bushbaby. This sweet little creature is most active at night, so I'm hoping to capture it on camera, but that might be challenging.
Now, to today's main event: a full-day safari! The goal today was to experience as much of the park's rich wildlife as possible, and we saw many amazing creatures, although the lions and leopards still eluded us.
The morning started with an exciting encounter with a herd of zebras, which we hadn't seen earlier on the trip. These striped beauties were an impressive sight, but unfortunately, they were very shy and quickly disappeared when they saw the safari vehicle. As a result, we didn't get a chance to take photos of them.
A bit later, we came across a lone, older elephant majestically stomping through the brush. Although we didn't get close enough for good photos, it was a powerful experience to see this old giant from a distance.
Right after lunch, we discovered a group of vultures circling over an area not far from us. As we drove closer to investigate, we found that they had gathered for "Sunday dinner" around a dead buffalo. It's truly amazing how nature works; many animals on the savanna cooperate in complex ways, with some having better sight, hearing, or height than others, and they are, in many ways, entirely dependent on one another to survive in this tough environment. While we sat in the safari vehicle and observed, we suddenly spotted a lone spotted hyena quietly creeping through the brush. Our guide, Daimon, explained that hyenas often take advantage of vultures by moving to places where the hungry vultures swoop down from the sky to eat whatever is there before the lions come and chase them away.
After a long day full of impressions, we returned to the camp to relax and digest the day's experiences. The evening will be spent packing and preparing for tomorrow's departure back to Zanzibar, but also reflecting on the incredible journey I've had here so far.
Fortunately, I have the opportunity for one last safari – a morning boat safari – before returning to Zanzibar. Maybe that will be when we finally spot the lions and leopards that have been so close, yet still out of reach.
After a day filled with fantastic wildlife experiences and deep insights into nature's intricate cooperation, it's time to say goodnight from the bush. I go to bed with a deep sense of gratitude and anticipation for what tomorrow will bring!
Be sure to check in for more exciting updates and adventures from the last day of safari!