Our third and final safari with guide Zach Warrie was all about plants until a surprise showed up… February 22, 2013
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF PLANTS
Zach took us on a wide upland loop and showed us dozens of trees and shrubs. He spoke to their uses and demonstrated some of their amazing properties. We learned so much about West African plants during all three safaris. To see more, please click on “Meeting Safari Plants” at the bottom of this page.
ADAPTATIONS
We passed the village where some of the kitchen staff lived and noticed that the inhabitants have adapted to the modern world by installing satellite dishes. We also noticed twenty or so wart hogs in various sizes nosing around the grounds. Their adaptation strategy involves using their knees to bring their vacuum-like noses closer to the ground.
We were mesmerized by these beasts, some of them smaller than a house cat and all of them with faces only a mother could love. Zach explained the reason there were so many wart hogs in the villages was because they come across kitchen scraps and developed a taste for salt and pepper.
AHHHH, AREN’T THEY CUTE?
OH, HEY…
One minute we were trying to focus on the tree Zach was describing, distracted by wart hogs. The next minute, Zach said, “Look” and there, across the road was a bull elephant quietly browsing, just minding his own business. One would think that elephants wouldn’t be able to sneak up on one. That they would come crashing through the undergrowth sounding like a herd of, er, elephants. But apparently, this isn’t the case in Mole National Park where you have to look sharp or completely miss a huge animal like this bull.
EXHILARATION
Zach stood behind a large tree and beckoned us over. We lined up, thrilled and apprehensive as the elephant began coming towards us. Zach told us to stay put but by now he had his hand on his rifle. Bob took a picture of Camille’s face as the elephant prepared to step out onto the road. And for some reason, the flash went off.
EVACUATION
Our bull hesitated when the flash went off and changed direction. We watched as he turned south, accompanied by a couple of cattle egrets and continued browsing on the other side.
GOING, GOING, GONE
Within ten minutes, the elephant all but disappeared from sight. We continued on our way, stopping to learn more plants and every once in awhile, Zach would point to a smudge on the horizon which was the elephant, browsing in the tall grass.
MORE CAMOUFLAGED ANIMALS
A bush buck and a kob, respectively. They do blend into the Savanna.
BACK TO TAMALE
And then it was time to leave the park. A driver came to pick us, we piled our bags into the back and rode back. Past the mud and daub villages. Past the women with their babies.
RENEWABLE FUEL
Past the women with firewood and the sacks of charcoal.
THROUGH ONE MORE VILLAGE AND ON TO TAMALE
Past the village market and into Tamale where we pulled up to the Picorna Hotel. For more, please click on the link to our “Tamale” page below.
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[Latest] * [Troutsfarm] * [Green Ranch] * [FS2BD February] * [Journey to Asempa] * [Mole National Park] * [First Two Safaris] * [Final Safari] * [Meeting Savannah Plants] * [Mbanayili Village] * [ Tamale]
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