Serengeti~Mahale May-June 2014 Days 11-14 June 5-8, 2014

Serengeti~Mahale May-June 2014  

Days 11-14 June 5-8, 2014

Mahale Mountains National Park

It was raining on our last morning at the Moru Kopkes. After a slippery, sliding drive to Seronera, we were up and away into the blue Tanzanian skies toward Mahale. 

After a quick stop in Tabora for fuel, we could soon see the dirt runway leading to Eden.

Okay, so what if the first place we check out at a new camp is the bar.

To our surprise and amazement,  and soon, amusement, Greystoke Mahale has a mascot 

~ a Great White Pelican, washed in with a storm.

With a personality that won't quit, and a preference for boys, "Big Bird" did warm up to Holly.

©Paul Oliver

He's not allowed on the wood, and he knows it.

 But we were there for the mountains and the forest...

...and the chimpanzees.

While I was experiencing one of the toughest days of my life, climbing up and down and sideways for 4 hours, all the while muttering "Are you kidding me?", and dreading the 2 hour hike back down (the chimps were well worth the effort, and the view was great, by the way)...

...Paul, Bev, Tim and Ben were spending some leisurely time down by the lake with this young mother and her newborn.

©Paul Oliver

 But there's more to Mahale than chimps...

...like vervets

 ...and the resident warthogs

...and another bar

 ...and as in all our camps, fresh fruits and vegetables and meats,

plus, "special orders don't upset them"...

One last sunset cruise...

...with Philbert

...a few Madagascar Bee-eaters

...a few hippos

...and one last sunset.

 Tomorrow we go shopping!

One more night ~ at the Arusha Coffee Lodge ~ a time to reflect leisurely, over the last two weeks' adventures.