Catch me a Colobus.

Fred returns to the new Parks of North West Tanzania to verify the species of Red Colobus seen in February and to see what else these Parks contain.


Our first stop is in the small town of Ngara at the "New Amahoro" Lodge.
A decent room if a little pretentious.
My bed with nets.
Next morning after shopping for provisions we arrive at Burugi-Chato NP.
A Brown-crowned Tchagra greets us.
As does the Broadbilled Roller.

Despite having forewarned and forepaid the Gate were still surprised to see us.
Perhaps they were not aware of our accomodation arrangements?
Yellow-fronted Canary.
Long-crested Eagle.
A movement caught my eye. A snake!
Not a happy chappy so he spreads his hood.

Do NOT play with Black Mambas. They don't have a sense of humour.
We see our first mammals. Eland and Zebra.
Bohor Reedbuck too.
We arrive at Lake Burigi where our camp is.
TANAPA have built some nice self catering Bandas. But they are not finished.
BUT we can sleep in them on mattresses.

Finished Bathrooms.
Almost finished rooms.
Where we eat.
Emmy and Ladislau prepare dinner.
This is Breakfast. I love Avocado.
On our first drive we see the endangered Lappet-faced Vulture.

And White-crested Helmet Shrikes having breakfast.
Rattling Cisticola.
Rear view.
We visit the new 5 Tent Lodge. Not open.
View of Tent. This would be a lovely place if it opens.
Eurasian Cuckoo. Brown Morph, (Hepatic)

De Fassa Waterbuck.
Sooty Chat.
Buffalo.
Brown-chested Lapwing.
Our track is blocked due to high water levels in Lake.
Rufous-bellied Heron.

Goliath Heron.
Hildebrandt's Francolin.
Another day another breakfast. I love Avocado and Yoghurt.
Brown Snake Eagle.
A deceased Impala proving predators are present.
Eurasian Hobby.

Common (Grimm's) Duiker.
European BeeEater.
Masai Giraffe.
Bohor Reedbuck.
Emmy investigating another track for safety.
A pair of lovely Peter's Twinspots.

We now arrive at the Chato sector for the 'main event.' Will we find these Colobus?
YES!. We find several small troops.
We decide they are closely related to Ashy Red colobus we see at Bigodi in Uganda.
Striking animals indeed.
Males are much darker in pelage than females.
There are differences from the Ashy of Uganda.

Western Banded Snake Eagle.
Active Colobus
I take several 'in flight' photos.
I think this may make the 'banner' for this gallery.
Or this one?
Auger Buzzard.

We have now arrived at Ibanda-Kyerwa NP in the far north.
We are staying at the almost abandoned Lodge. Ex hunting lodge.
My cabin with Uganda over the river.
Mosque Swallows share my space.
Common Scimitar Bill.
Bronze Sunbird.

Grey-headed Sparrow.
Lesser Grey Shrike.
Black-headed (Village)Weaver.
We enter the newly opened Ibanda-Kyerwa Park.
This is our 'map' made from the Garmin.
Looks like more work needed.

Even though it was offically opened FOUR years ago.
Myer's Parrots.
What we came for. Roan Antelope still present.
We get a nice pose from the lovely animal.
We hear and find a lovely Sulphur-breasted Bush Shrike.
A lovely singer.

African Green Pigeon.
White-browed Coucal.
The Three Country view point.
Stout Cisticola.
Many Buffalo.
Agakera River with Uganda over the other side.

Little BeeEater.
Purple-crested Turaco in Lodge grounds.
Myer's Parrots in Lodge grounds.
Banded Mongoose.
The friendly and lovely staff bid us farewell.
I get dragged into shot.

Manageress Eva was really lovely and obliging. We bought the food in town and she cooked it.
And now we leave Tanzania for Uganda and part two.