Alladin took us through the back roads so we could enter the park from the south and drive north to see it all. We went through several small villages and found it interesting to see the different houses and people along the way.
The young Masaii were taking their cattle to the fields.
These guys were netting small sardines in one of the irrigation ditches.
Another group was supplies back to their homes.
These guys were netting small sardines in one of the irrigation ditches.
Another group was supplies back to their homes.
Rice is one of the staples of the area and we went by several paddies.
And when you only have a motorcycle for transportation you get very creative and are able to carry quite a few things!
Cotton is also grown in the area.
Cotton is also grown in the area.
A couple hours later we arrived at the southern entrance to the park. The area lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley's western escarpment. The shift in tetonic plates formed the hills. We enjoyed the scenic drive through the park which was much different than any we have seen so far. 
In the park you can find woodlands, shrubs and an alkaline lake.
Established in 1960, the national park is currently 325 square kilometers and 230 of those are a soda lake (high alkalinity). They are adding land to the park which will make it 648 sq.km. but only 30% of it will be land, the rest water!
In the last couple years there have been heavy rains in short periods of time resulting in too much water flowing to support the large flamingo population that used to be in the park. There are still some, but not nearly as many. The lake also expanded twice its size resulting in many trees dying because of the high alkalinity.
Established in 1960, the national park is currently 325 square kilometers and 230 of those are a soda lake (high alkalinity). They are adding land to the park which will make it 648 sq.km. but only 30% of it will be land, the rest water!In the last couple years there have been heavy rains in short periods of time resulting in too much water flowing to support the large flamingo population that used to be in the park. There are still some, but not nearly as many. The lake also expanded twice its size resulting in many trees dying because of the high alkalinity.
We were again treated to seeing many different birds - which I loved!
Red Bishop Bird
Red Bishop Bird
Bee eater birds
Hadada Ibis
Along with the ibis there were banded mongoose in the field!
Auger Buzzard - I thought it looked like a hawk, but it's not!
Cape Buffalo are also found in this park. You can see the vegetation is dense in areas which made it more difficult to spot many of the animals.
Hadada Ibis
Along with the ibis there were banded mongoose in the field!
Auger Buzzard - I thought it looked like a hawk, but it's not!
Cape Buffalo are also found in this park. You can see the vegetation is dense in areas which made it more difficult to spot many of the animals.
This hug bull elephant came around the corner as we were stopped and gave us the "evil eye!" Fortunately, he didn't feel threatened by us and kept going.
Around the corner was a mother and her calf, and another female near the a pond.
This waterbuck was checking us out while enjoying the fresh greens.
We saw a few giraffes and zebras, too.
To round out the day we saw four lions in the trees and grass near the lake. They weren't too easy to see, but they did move from one bush to another.
Around the corner was a mother and her calf, and another female near the a pond.
This waterbuck was checking us out while enjoying the fresh greens.
We saw a few giraffes and zebras, too.
To round out the day we saw four lions in the trees and grass near the lake. They weren't too easy to see, but they did move from one bush to another.
One of them seemed to enjoy snoozing by the water
After a good day we headed to the Tarangire Simba Lodge where we will spend two nights. It is much colder tonight and the staff put hot water bottles in the bed to help warm it up!
Tomorrow will be a culture tour, so we get to sleep in - we start at 8:30!
After a good day we headed to the Tarangire Simba Lodge where we will spend two nights. It is much colder tonight and the staff put hot water bottles in the bed to help warm it up!
Tomorrow will be a culture tour, so we get to sleep in - we start at 8:30!
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