The Kingdom of Mufasa

When it comes to animals, I am indifferent. I neither like them, nor dislike them. Coming to Selous Game Reserves (A UNESCO World Heritage site), has increase my understanding of animals, big and small, and perhaps, won my affection for them too. I learnt that animals are usually docile and gentle in nature. Unless, of course, they're hungry, provoked or agitated. Visiting the safari is a great way to get to know them on a closer scale. 

On the boat safari, we found out a lot about birds. For every species, we spotted and distinguished at least 3 types of sub-species. For kingfishers alone, there's pied kingfisher, kite kingfisher and great kingfisher. Plus, did you know that kingfishers have varied techniques of catching fishes too? Some hover above the waters before catching the fish. Some perch by the river bends before diving straight into the water. 

Where do birds usually build their nests? In the caves? In the trees? In every dark nook and corner? Did you know that the Yellow Weaver's nests are so light that they hang on every blade of grass by the river? Some can even exists alongside in pairs or threes. Such a sight is most common during the breeding season, in the months of October to December. The most interesting fact is that the male yellow weavers turn bright yellow during these months. 

We saw hippopotamus soaking in the Rufiji river too! The reason the hippopotamus are often depicted in the waters is because they are perpetually immersed in it. Their skin is so sensitive to heat that they need to cool themselves down in the water for 19 hours a day. They emerge only to scour the surroundings for at least 40-120 kg of food per day. Oh! They're vegetarians by the way. They don't eat meat. Baby hippos get bitten by crocodiles though. When the parents find out though, they'll stomp all the way to where the crocodile is and protect their young. 

By the way, animals can really move their ears! Whereas humans' ears seem to be like an ornament that sticks out on both sides of the head, the ears of these animals are very dynamic! They can wriggle their ears and steer them towards the direction of the sound. Just like in the Disney cartoons! 

Their tails are extremely useful too! When the impalas get frightened by humans, they hide it between their legs and dash towards the forest. As lions nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon, their tails swish from left to right, chasing away tsetse flies which bite anything that's alive with juicy blood veins. The black tip of a lion's tail, is also a guide for baby lions who hasn't fully gained their sight. 

The most fun part of the trip was distinguishing between lions and lionesses, bull and cow, deers and does, cattles and ewes. And of course, male and female giraffes. The patterns of a giraffe differs from one to another, just like a human's fingerprints. But, how do you differentiate between a male and a female giraffe? A hah! This requires skill! All you need to do is, to look at the head of a giraffe. If it has a knob on top of it,, it's a male. If it doesn't, it's a female. Interesting, isn't it? 

How about deers? Only male deers/stags have antlers. Plus, they usually roam around in either bachelors or female groups. During breeding season, a single deer can impregnate up to 50 doe-s! Upon which, he has to look after the whole herd of them! If he doesn't, a stronger and younger deer might usurp him and become the leader.

Oh oh! We saw warthogs, swines and wildebeests too! After this trip, my vocabulary on animals improved tremendously. Watching Lion King will take a whole new dimension!

Buffalo's Skeleton, with larva growing on its horns

Hippos soaking in Rufiji River

Galloping Giraffe

Baobab tree - Largest Tree in Africa. 

It can grow up to 100cm in circumference, where every metre gained is equivalent to its survival of one century. It has a very interesting story too! Check it out here.