Sue Tidwell
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2022
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- Cottonwood, Idaho
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- SCI, DSC, RMEF, Wild Sheep Society, etc
- Hunted
- Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique
A few forum members were hoping I had some stories to share so I figured I’d start with my very first impression of African WILDLIFE. I’m wondering who among you can relate?!
Rungwa West Game Reserve, Tanzania. “As we stepped from the bush plane, we were slammed with a wall of heat even worse than the day before. While adjusting to the sudden temperature change, Masimba Camp’s staff scurried to transfer the gear and supplies into two Land Cruisers for the final leg of our journey.
“It’s a short drive. Only 45 minutes,” they assured us. “Maybe we’ll even see animals.”
That perked us up a bit. After quick introductions, Rod, Sue (yes another Sue), Rick, and I crammed into the open-air bench seat positioned high above the enclosed cab of the Land Cruiser, giving us a great vantage point for the wildlife we were sure to see.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared us for what awaited us.
Almost the moment we left the airstrip, we were attacked by a battalion of ravenous miniature vampires with wings. Keep in mind, I’m not talking about the righteous vampires from the “Twilight” movies that were popular a few years back. I’m talking about Africa’s infamous Tsetse flies, bloodsuckers that hurt worse than any bee sting I’ve ever experienced. Also, just like vampires, they refuse to die. Swatting them against your thigh or arm deters them for just a bit. Then they come back with a vengeance.
In our months of preparation, we had been warned of the Tsetse flies' presence in the Tanzanian bush and had packed accordingly. We had mosquito nets, long-sleeved shirts, leather gloves, bug sprays, bug-repellent bracelets, and even insect-repelling body oils -- all stashed on the other Land Cruiser. Definitely, a rookie move.
Wearing T-shirts and lacking our Tsetse-fly arsenal, we made easy pickings for the gorging insects. Our long hiking pants also did little to help. Even through the fabric, they drew blood. Tsetse flies have a special awl arrangement on their bills, enabling them to bore through three layers of canvas, or so we’d read in Robert Roark’s “Horn of the Hunter.” Surely he exaggerated, we naively presumed. Unfortunately, the insects lived up to their loathsome reputation. Even Rod and Sue had never dealt with them on their previous safaris and therefore were just as surprised by the insatiable assault.
Wedged in like sardines in a can while bouncing down a bumpy Tsetse-fly-infested road, we performed a slapstick comedy routine resembling “The Three Stooges.” Our arms flailed about wildly, swatting and whacking at the bloodsuckers while our legs took their own evasive actions, stomping and kicking erratically. It was not each man for themselves. As friends, we took liberties to swat each other wherever necessary to keep the nasty buggers from landing long enough to draw blood. Suddenly, the unexpected onslaught, coupled with extreme exhaustion, caused us to burst into hysterical laughter.
Who would have guessed that our first truly memorable experience in the African bush had absolutely nothing to do with one of Africa’s iconic species? No majestic lion, lumbering elephant, or browsing giraffe. No. Our first notable memory was of a tiny little fly.”
Note: These nasty little buggers were a huge wake-up call for me. They made it very clear – physically and mentally – why not all parts of Africa are suitable for general tourism. Please don’t take offense to this….BUT only HUNTERS are crazy enough to endure the misery of Tsetse flies!
By the way, I'm new to the site. I'm hoping I posted this in the right place.
Rungwa West Game Reserve, Tanzania. “As we stepped from the bush plane, we were slammed with a wall of heat even worse than the day before. While adjusting to the sudden temperature change, Masimba Camp’s staff scurried to transfer the gear and supplies into two Land Cruisers for the final leg of our journey.
“It’s a short drive. Only 45 minutes,” they assured us. “Maybe we’ll even see animals.”
That perked us up a bit. After quick introductions, Rod, Sue (yes another Sue), Rick, and I crammed into the open-air bench seat positioned high above the enclosed cab of the Land Cruiser, giving us a great vantage point for the wildlife we were sure to see.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared us for what awaited us.
Almost the moment we left the airstrip, we were attacked by a battalion of ravenous miniature vampires with wings. Keep in mind, I’m not talking about the righteous vampires from the “Twilight” movies that were popular a few years back. I’m talking about Africa’s infamous Tsetse flies, bloodsuckers that hurt worse than any bee sting I’ve ever experienced. Also, just like vampires, they refuse to die. Swatting them against your thigh or arm deters them for just a bit. Then they come back with a vengeance.
In our months of preparation, we had been warned of the Tsetse flies' presence in the Tanzanian bush and had packed accordingly. We had mosquito nets, long-sleeved shirts, leather gloves, bug sprays, bug-repellent bracelets, and even insect-repelling body oils -- all stashed on the other Land Cruiser. Definitely, a rookie move.
Wearing T-shirts and lacking our Tsetse-fly arsenal, we made easy pickings for the gorging insects. Our long hiking pants also did little to help. Even through the fabric, they drew blood. Tsetse flies have a special awl arrangement on their bills, enabling them to bore through three layers of canvas, or so we’d read in Robert Roark’s “Horn of the Hunter.” Surely he exaggerated, we naively presumed. Unfortunately, the insects lived up to their loathsome reputation. Even Rod and Sue had never dealt with them on their previous safaris and therefore were just as surprised by the insatiable assault.
Wedged in like sardines in a can while bouncing down a bumpy Tsetse-fly-infested road, we performed a slapstick comedy routine resembling “The Three Stooges.” Our arms flailed about wildly, swatting and whacking at the bloodsuckers while our legs took their own evasive actions, stomping and kicking erratically. It was not each man for themselves. As friends, we took liberties to swat each other wherever necessary to keep the nasty buggers from landing long enough to draw blood. Suddenly, the unexpected onslaught, coupled with extreme exhaustion, caused us to burst into hysterical laughter.
Who would have guessed that our first truly memorable experience in the African bush had absolutely nothing to do with one of Africa’s iconic species? No majestic lion, lumbering elephant, or browsing giraffe. No. Our first notable memory was of a tiny little fly.”
Note: These nasty little buggers were a huge wake-up call for me. They made it very clear – physically and mentally – why not all parts of Africa are suitable for general tourism. Please don’t take offense to this….BUT only HUNTERS are crazy enough to endure the misery of Tsetse flies!
By the way, I'm new to the site. I'm hoping I posted this in the right place.
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