Of course the purpose of coming to Hilltop Lodge was to have time driving around Ruaha National Park.
Each day the officials examined papers and signed names in their ledger, giving time...
...to pour over the poster of birds and animals known to be in the Park.
Michael and his assistant, Jimson, had the roof popped up, as Rafael scanned the...
...the Great Ruaha River for....
...crocodiles and...
...hippos.
Also looking over the river was an African Fish Eagle, and
...a Western Ospery.
A suspension bridge for the fun of it, on the way to ...
...the Sand River, complete with water since it was the end of the "heavy rains".
Sensing a lion near, a male gazelle, standing in the shade of a tree, has his ladies backed to the water.
Other ladies in another place and, ...
some "bachelors" yet without mates.
Probably the most often seen, along with gazelles, are the baboons; here a dominate male and...
...and here a running female carrying child to safety.
Of course zebras, ...
...and a Greater Kudu.
Stopping under a spreading Baobao tree,
...for a simple picnic lunch obviated need to trek back to the lodge.
Moving around, to higher ground, always alert for what might be around the bend...
...such as a bull elephant, flapping his ears for cooling in the blazing sun or...
...an abandoned Catepillar earth grader.
A Lilac Breasted Roller...
....a pair of Ruaha Red-billed Hornbills...
...a Black Headed Weaver bird.
The road winds higher to the rocky outcroppings....
...to find a couple giraffes...
...watching the watchers watch him.
Among the safest place, and with ample water, is the Park Headquarters, were a herd of elephants allow for ...
...a closeer and closer look, until a bellow and raised trunk and foot stamp communicates, "Close Enough". Statement made, turn and amble away.
From the large to the small Ruaha has it all!
