2024 African Safari Plus: Flight to Lake Manyara National Park (7/3/2024)

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

We were driven from Nasikia Mobile Migration Camp to the
Kogatende Airstrip with its crowded parking lot

The horns on this Cape buffalo skull seemed to be
growing spikes; it is infested with Ceratophaga vastella/
Horn-borer Moth larvae who feed off the horn

The larvae create these tubes for their pupa stage

This time we used Auric Air to fly to Lake Manyara (KSS)

Auric Air Cessna Grand Caravan EX at Seronera Airstrip
where all passengers had to disembark while they refueled

At Lake Manyara Airport, we were whisked away
along the landscaped airport access road

We zigzagged down the escarpment for the first view
of Lake Manyara, a large (40 x 15 km/25 x 9.3 mi)
shallow saline lake that is fed by springs and rainfall

We entered Lake Manyara National Park, which
was a lush jungle due to all the springs

First we had our box lunch before exploring the park

This time we had a Toyota Land Cruiser that
was modified with enclosed seating

There were many streams (KSS)

Despite the lushness, the dirt roads kicked up dust on the
plants, turning these Cyperus papyrus/Papyri brown (KSS)

Vines blanketed all the trees

Above us was the eastern escarpment of
the Great Rift Valley

Trichilia emetica/Natal Mahogany Trees (KSS)

Acacia xanthophloea/Fever Trees (KSS)

Yellowish bark of the fever tree (KSS)

Papio anubis/Olive Baboon

A troop of baboons

Ficus burkei/Strangler Fig Tree (KSS)

We were told that Lake Manyara, which tends to flood,
may be getting too much water and not shrinking in the
dry season; roads were blocked by water (KSS)

Shrubs sitting in water are dying

Chlorocebus pygerythrus/Vervet Monkey on the left;
note trees that have died out in the lake

Someone decorated this termite mound

Viewpoint perspective of Lake Manyara (KSS)

Trachyphonus erythrocephalus/Red-and-yellow Barbet

Plenty to eat here for the male Loxodonta africana/
African Bush Elephant

We would also see blue monkeys, and a warthog, as well as, Cape turtle doves and an African pied wagtail.

Next: Ngorongoro O'ldeani Mountain Lodge.