Band of brothers

Today our guides decided that due to the still muddy roads we should head south from our central Serengeti Serenera location to an area that has several Kopjes. 

Serengeti is a vast plain of grassland, woods and swamps, nearly 30,000 square kilometers, that stretches from north-western Tanzania into south-western Kenya. The plains are home to approximately 70 large mammal &some 500 avifauna species, including the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world. 

Dotting this vast savannah are outcrops of granite that stick out like rocky islands in a sea of grass. They are called kopjes, & were formed when the soft volcanic rock & ash that covers Serengeti were eroded away to expose the extremely old metamorphic rock below. Standing majestically around plains of savannah with vegetation dominated by bushes & grass these beautiful metamorphic rocks consist of very hard granite capable of resisting erosion from rain & harsh tropical winds. Aside from providing a scenic contrast to the surrounding grasslands, kopjes provide habitat for many creatures because of the presence of a variety of plants, caves for dwelling, water,& a vantage point for Serengeti’s many predators.

Map showing location of Kopjes (black dots)  within Serengeti.

As we drove towards the Kopjes, we encountered some of the "tree climbing"lions which are present in the Serengeti. They climb to escape the heat & often to rise above the biting flies, which in some months can be quite relentless.

Along the way we encountered  black-bellied bustards, a relative to the previously seen Kori bustard which is the heaviest bird that is capable of flight.

We also were extremely fortunate to see Southern Ground Hornbills, which are often elusive & skittish, making them a challenge to photograph!This enormous, sociable, ground-loving hornbill is easily recognized. The adult male has an extensive brilliant red face & throat wattles. In flight, this huge bird is black with extensive white wingtips. Family groups walk slowly through bushy savanna & grassland, foraging for large invertebrates & small vertebrates. In the early morning, dominant pairs duet with a deep-bass booming, “oooh..oooh..ooh-oh”, which can be heard several kilometers away.

 

Initially, as we neared the base of one of the Kopjes we didn't identify any animals, but upon further inspection & with the aid of a long lens or binoculars , we found a little rock hyrax which is the nearest living relative of elephants.  At the second kopje we found both lions & vultures.

Hooded vulture

Headed back to camp

    

Rain is headed our way (again!)