Rain at last! The grass is green and I can see wildebeest and zebra from my window. The lesser masked weavers have started to build their nests in the acacia trees above the Lodge workshop. The Lakes Ndutu and Masek now have water, much to the delight of the hippos and flamingoes I’m sure.
During the past few nights we’ve slept to the sounds of zebra and wildebeest calling outside the houses, it’s very comforting. Elephants still visit the Lodge from time to time and if the rain keeps up we may even have to start cutting the grass around the Lodge. But after such a prolonged dry spell with so much dust and bare earth, I just can’t quite bring myself to do it just yet. Strangely after such a dry year we recorded the wettest April ever, since our records began 20 years ago.
The recent storms have brought all the usual migrant birds back to the woodlands and plains as well as some more unusual ones. Such as the malachite and golden winged sunbirds, two new species for the Ndutu Lodge list. These birds usually prefer forest habitat so they were either completely lost or more than likely blown off course by recent storms.
We’ve had several wildebeest crossings of Lake Ndutu. These crossing are always spectacular and exciting, but very difficult to predict. It’s just a case of being in the right place at the right time. Lots of lions around at the moment. The Masek pride is regularly seen in the campsite valley. The young cubs born in November still number eight and are doing very well. Guests saw 36 lions recently on a game around the Ndutu area. Some of these must be nomadic lions following the great herds of wildebeest.
Each year during April/May we invite the Karatu secondary school to visit Ndutu. So last week forty children and 5 teachers came to stay for two days. On their first game drive they watched as lions successfully hunted a wildebeest not far from the lodge. It was a thrill for the children because many of them come from towns and had never seen a lion before.
Last month we held a party at the Lodge to celebrate Aadje and Margaret owning Ndutu Lodge for 20 years. People from all over the world came that had been involved with lodge during the past 20 years. Ex-managers, regular guests, tour guides, friends and people who have helped in various ways over the years. It was great to catch up with so many people and hear their tales. The early years when there were many shortages to contend with, made life in the bush difficult at best and farcical at worst. Fuel was in short supply and even toilet paper wasn’t available (just imagine) for much of the time. Things have certainly changed these days. Later in the year we hope to have another party for all the staff. Some of whom have been at Ndutu for many years. It will be a chance to invite all the old staff members who have long since retired and show them the new changes to the lodge.
There are also big changes to our lives as well. My wife, Louise gave birth to our first child Emily on the 2nd April in Nairobi. Ten days later Emily was introduced to her new home at Ndutu. Although she’s oblivious to all the zebra and giraffes outside the house, she seems to be settling into bush life quite nicely.
The clouds are starting to build again; hopefully there’s rain to come this afternoon. I hope so, as it will keep the huge herds around Ndutu. Sitting around the camp-fire the other night, we were surrounded by zebra, wildebeest and a small group of hartebeest. The zebra were grazing only a few feet from where we were sitting and seemed total unconcerned by our presence. It’s such a privilege to be so close to wild animals. Besides it’s great fertilizer for the grass!
Paul
