African Environments

**Not all safari superstars have stripes or spots...**

Often overlooked in favour of lions, elephants, and leopards, vultures are some of Tanzania's most important wildlife species, and arguably some of the hardest working too.

While they may not win any beauty contests, vultures play a vital role in keeping ecosystems healthy. Nature's clean-up crew, they can strip a carcass in a matter of minutes, helping to prevent the spread of disease and keeping the bush clean. Without them, harmful bacteria and pathogens can linger in the environment, affecting both wildlife and livestock.

Tanzania is home to several species of vulture, soaring high above the Serengeti plains and circling over the country's wild landscapes. With incredible eyesight and highly acidic stomachs capable of safely digesting bacteria that would make most animals sick, vultures are uniquely adapted to do a job that few others can.

Sadly, many vulture species across Africa are facing alarming declines. Poisoning, habitat loss, collisions with power lines, and the illegal wildlife trade are all contributing to their dwindling numbers. Because vultures gather in large groups around carcasses, a single poisoning incident can wipe out dozens of birds at once.

Protecting vultures means protecting entire ecosystems. Their work benefits not only wildlife but also local communities by helping to reduce the spread of disease and maintain the natural balance of the environments we all depend on.

So, next time you're on safari and spot a vulture perched in a tree or gliding effortlessly overhead, take a moment to appreciate one of Africa's unsung heroes. They may not be the most glamorous animals in the bush, but they are certainly among the most important.

Our Kili trips always start with a couple nights at our Itikoni Camp in Arusha National Park, where people can acclimitise on the beautiful slopes of Mt Meru, get some practice walks in, and test out any gear before they head to Mt Kilimanjaro.

Appreciation Wednesday to James and Shedrack - both pictured here on a recent film trip - and both among our top guides!

Asanteni to you both for always showing up, always working endlessly to make sure our guests get the best out of their safari, and for always having those lovely warm smiles for both the guests and the rest of the team.

Meet one of Tanzania's most stylish residents, the Secretary Bird!

With its long legs, striking eyelashes (yes, we're jealous too!), and elegant black crest feathers, this incredible bird looks like it has just stepped off the Serengeti catwalk.

But don't let its good looks fool you. The Secretary Bird is a formidable hunter. Unlike most birds of prey, it spends much of its time walking through the grasslands, using its powerful legs to stomp on prey with lightning-fast precision. Snakes, rodents, lizards, and insects are all on the menu, making it one of nature's most effective pest controllers.

Standing at over a metre tall, the Secretary Bird is impossible to mistake once you've seen one striding confidently across the plains. Its name is said to come from its resemblance to 19th-century secretaries, with the quill-like feathers at the back of its head resembling pens tucked behind an ear!

Keep your eyes peeled on your next safari in Tanzania. Spotting a Secretary Bird is always a treat and a reminder that some of Africa's coolest creatures don't need spots, stripes, or big teeth to steal the show.

Have you been lucky enough to see one in the wild?

Not bad when you have Kilimanjaro as the backdrop 🤩

📷 : Eli'sWild

Grooming time - the Chimps of .nationalpark are always so mesmerizing to watch!

Appreciation post for Wines and Moses who were recently out with a film crew in the Serengeti and not only did they drive this old Land Rover around on the bumpy and dusty roads, but they also had to keep fixing it 😆 luckily both still smiling!

Running around with boundless energy - doesn't matter if it's a warthog toddler or human toddler - same same!

These two white rhino have been giving guests quite nice sightings recently in Ngorongoro Crater 🦏 Thanks for the photo .mungure

This week's appreciation goes to Omondi (aka Geoffrey) for all his hard work on the Overland trip. These trips require a lot of logistical planning, a lot of movement, and a lot of hands on work. The team that goes out with the students are required to wear a lot of different hats - from driver, cook, guide, and much more! Thank you Omondi, for everything!