A noticeable resident of the wild – a lone hyena – was aware of our presence. It looked at us, then scanned the horizon as it searched for prey, sniffing the air with senses keenly attuned to the environment.
When I first visited the area a few years ago, just after the rainy season, the trail was a nightmare to navigate. But today, under clear skies, we had better visibility and stamina. Our mission was to explore the rich birds and natural habitat of the Mt Longido ecosystem, which towers 80km to the north of Arusha on the way to Namanga.
The scenery and landscape were beautiful, filled with trees such as acacias and balanites. I saw none of the scars left by human necessity – where villages reduce ancient trees to firewood and charcoal sold for a few shillings. Birds were everywhere, and the absence of crows was noticeable – a good indicator of a healthy environment for the growth of indigenous bird species.
As we moved on, we were lucky to spot a serval cat in the tall grass. It had long ears and a small, spotted head with large ears, disproportionate to its body size. The serval is an ambush predator, using its acute hearing to locate prey before pouncing. I considered it a special day to have encountered one. We also saw ground squirrels, squirrels and jackals.
Then, suddenly, our guide told us to stop and pointed at a snake with the fish-shaped head. The species, in a river rock and bushy spot, sped toward a nearby root, opened its mouth to reveal a black interior. It doesn’t flee unless provoked or cornered. If you’re curious, you can see one safely in captivity at the Meserani Snake Park in Arusha.
We later enjoyed a late lunch under a solitary tree in the middle of the grassland, as beautiful social birds – the superb starling – came near our dining area to pick up fallen insects and scraps. As the sun began to set, we heard the bells of cattle, sheep and goat herds passing by as they returned to their pens.
Black mamba – named not for its colour, which ranges from grey to brown, but for the inky black darkness inside its mouth. It can grow up to 3 metres long. Though fast and shy, it is rarely encountered in the wild. This was only the second time in my life I had seen one.
Raphael Mbunda. Birding is his hobby. mbunda1971@gmail.com
