Did you know there are over 1100 bird species in the country and some of our groups have counted over 330 on their short safari?! We enjoyed magnificent sightings of our feathered friends this time, including an eagle with a baby warthog on a branch directly above us! The pictures speak for themselves and for more information, this is a great Tanzania birding web site.
Dusk was gathering as we drove south on the dirt road, shadows lengthening over the land, turning from savannah to brush land, ancient Baobab trees connecting earth and sky. As I rode with watering eyes from the intensity of the wind blowing over them, suddenly a complete lanky image flashed by me. Head, eyes, rosettes, supple, strong body perfectly draped over the tree, with tail dropping below... Leopard! Passing the message quickly forward to the driver, we stopped, reversing slowly, seeking through the darkening light for her magnificence.
She waited, seemingly as curious as we were. Perfectly relaxed, unconcerned about our eight pairs of eyes asking to know more about her. Languidly she looked us over, only moving for privacy when a loud group arrived behind us, seeking to know who we were sharing space with. We stayed quiet, calm, waiting. Their beeps came with frustration, thinking we were looking at a downed log and not willing to wait for the hidden beauty. What a lesson for me to remember that when the time is ripe, simply wait and be patient. Then the reward of the unseen may become seen.
The low branching log hid her small yet powerful frame. Moments after they drove off in a cloud of dust, she came out, scent marked and slowly, assuredly walked behind our Land Cruiser. Pausing there to fully take us in, she rolled over in the sand, strong, playful, completely relaxed. As she stood to move on, it was plain that food for the evening was now on her mind. Leaving us, she leapt gracefully to a lookout tree, her piercing gaze scanning for unaware food on the hoof while we continued on to our refreshments at camp.
"The Free soul is rare, but you know it when you see it - basically because you feel good, very good, when you are near or with them." Charles Bukowski, German-born American writer
Greetings fellow travelers and marafiki (friends), GenSafaris traveled recently with Carol Gurney to Tanzania for an Animal Connection & Communication safari.
Over the years, I've taken a few courses in 'animal communication'/connection skills, experiencing good results and a desire to continue to learn more. Carol eagerly agreed to accompany us in Tanzania as the teacher and off we went with our excited and motivated group. Since she had most experience with teaching through domestic animals and often through photographs, this was a new experience for all. She led us daily through exercises as we came across animals in their natural environment, guiding us with unique and detailed questions and ways to get past our emotional or mental 'blocks'.
One of the lessons (and one of her favorites) is 'Animals as Mirrors'. We did a mini activity of discussing the animal that we are most drawn to on safari. The reflections back to us through this experience were so interesting and spot on. It was easiest to see and understand when hearing the others in the group talk about their experience. The patterns and similar flows between them and their chosen animal blaring through as obvious commonalities.
Although verbal communication (especially about the indescribable undercurrent of all Life) is not my forte, Carol found ways to help me connect and replay back to the group what was felt with the female lioness. She was open and gracious no matter what level we were at, in a non judging, accepting and encouraging way.
The lions and lionesses showed up on safari in magnificent ways. We sat for a time with different hunting prides, with mating pairs and drove slowly with young ones hunting along the roadside. On my final day in the bush, two males and a female had walked by my tent with only their clear tracks to inform me on my walk in the early dawn light. Tracking can be one of the more unusual and interesting ways to expand the experience of safari and imprint it in your senses. We do so at every opportunity and I'm constantly learning more. Join us next time?
Final day in Tarangire National Park (have I said yet that it is my favorite?!) and we see a cheetah waking. She looks around a bit, then moves on to roll in some tall grass. Completely relaxed and supple in her movements. Singular cheetahs are usually females, while multiples are mostly brothers sticking together for life.
