We have a great time chilling on Moyo’s back under a huge parasol. “Actually, this parasol is an umbrella acacia,” explains Moyo. “A cold sparkling lemonade would be delicious now,” says Squack as he rummages around my bag. Indeed, he pulls out two fizzy drinks. It feels like a holiday. “How long will we stop?”, I ask. “As you may have noticed, it’s getting quite hot. We’ll wait here until it...
A few months on the fertile volcanic soil near the Ngorongoro Crater have made the wildebeest healthy and strong. They have moved on towards the Grumeti river. By now temperatures are rising and dust filles the air. Feeling good, the males want to show off their strength and court the females. Hoping to win a girl-gnu for their harem, the wildebeest "flirt" by grunting and jumping wildly,...
Feeling lucky to have escaped the Lions, Tata&Squack talk about a great storyteller in their life. “You know Squack, Bibi told me once, that the Masai men used to conquer a woman’s heart by defeating a lion.” After our own encounter with the King of animals, I am very impressed by the courageous deed of Masai men. "For those of you, who do not know, Bibi means ‘grandmother’ in Swahili. Bibi...
Camouflage is the art of not being seen, often practiced by predators. Tata&Squack discovered this art of disguise during their Big Journey. Camouflage is achieved not by actual invisibility, but by not being noticed. Lions attacked the Wildebeest herd in the early morning hours by blending in with their background. Approaching the herd their golden fur becomes one with the golden grass of the...
We climb on Moyo’s back and hold on to his tangled manes. A dusty smell reaches our noses. “Great ride, Moyo.” Rocking softly on Moyo’s back, we watch the long queue of chocolate brown wildebeest, caramel coloured antelopes and black and white zebras. Shading my eyes with one hand, I ask Moyo: “Where are we heading?” “We are on our way to my favourite place, over there, near the mountains at the...
Probably you learned by now that Tanja is in Africa. Skipping a lady's program she joined a team climbing the Kilimanjaro. The highest mountain of Africa. Afterwards she will visit the Ngorongoro, a dead volcano. It is not as the name suggest another fire spitting mountain to climb for Tanja. The Ngorongoro is a dead volcano with the only difference that this one imploded. It exploded inwards....
Captain Squack searches the "wide land" with his binoculars, looking for the Green Treasure. Rain makes the grass green and juicy, a treasure for the Wildebeest. Looking for this "Green Treasure" by following the sweet earthy smell of rain, the Wildebeest walk the same circle every year. „This migration circle is a circle of life for the Wildebeest“, Tata explains to the adventurous captain...
Right in front of us is a big brown wildebeest, nibbling grass. Suddenly the wildebeest startles and his eyes grow big with fear. A human being and a strange looking little lion stand in front of him! “Hi,” I stammer, impressed by the gigantic beast, “my name is Tata and this here is Squack.” The wildebeest relaxes and says: “My name is Moyo. Lucky me, I thought for a moment that your friend was...
