NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA . . . News!
The Maasai are moving
to their dry season haunts. From some of the drier regions in The Conservation
Area around The Gol Mountains and
the short grass plains east of Oldupai,
these semi-nomadic herders now take advantage
of the well grassed edges of Oldupai Gorge.
The gorge in places has been formed
by water running seasonally, from the western plains to the lower reaches
of the highlands in the east.
It is along these sandy river stretches,
that trickles of reasonably fresh water form small
swamps and are a great attraction, not only for the Maasai
but also for wild animals.
When the first Morani or warriors arrive,
they carefully check the area for new 'boma'
(or home) sites and clean out their traditional
wells which have been dug beside the swamps.
The wild animals
most often drink by night or move closer to Lake
Masek, where hippos
have ploughed channels through the mud and created perfect
wallows for their elephant neighbours.
Yellow Throated Sandgrouse calls
echo on the clear morning air by the marshes and
hyenas lie around in the cooling mud of the shores.
Animals well hidden in the wet season become more frequently seen, the striped
hyena is not an unusual
sight now days.
On dusk, spring hares delight surprised
visitors and sunsets vibrantly
highlight the evening skies with reds, yellows and oranges.
Not a sight to be missed.
Mars has been an interesting addition
to all safaris this dry season. Rising in the East around 9.30 to 10 pm, it
rivals the sunsets for its red glow.
Seen with the naked eye it is interesting,
seen with binoculas it is fascinating,
seen with a telescope, it has been
simply astonishing and many have viewed the polar
cap and exclaimed in awe. This is one of the many unexpected
thrills of a safari to Ngorongoro,
you are invited to come and experience the others at any time and at all times.
Stock is watered in careful rotation, to an agreement which is worked out by the Elders of each group. Women and girls collect water at a separate well, load it on to their waiting donkey's backs and carry it home to the 'bomas' in calabashes or plastic containers.
September 2003
