In Search of Elephants - An African Safari (Part3)

One could not anticipate the awesome adventure that awaited us at the Ark. This next stop located in the heart of Aberdare National Park would prove to be the highlight of the trip. That is if you're searching for elephants.

The Ark resembles Noah's Ark comprised of three decks where you can view the wildlife from many vantage points. Elephants, rhino, leopard , Cape Buffalo, and all sorts of birds are attracted to this location because of its natural salt lick and water hole.

The Ark is one of two tree-top hotels located in Aberdare National Park. The park extends above 8000 feet. Actually, mountain ranges and peaks soar to almost 14,000 feet creating deep valleys with streams and rivers cascading over spectacular waterfalls. Draping foliage cover the thick forests making the visitors feel as if they are truly in the trees.

Before reaching the Ark, our group checked in at the Aberdare Country Club. Here you are treated to a wonderful lunch before boarding the special jeeps that will take you to your overnight stay in the trees.

On the way up we spotted colobus monkeys high in the trees. Families of these beautiful black and white creatures spied on us from their perches hundreds of feet above us.

One group member pointed out a huge gray rock among the bushes. Most of us paid no attention except myself. This huge gray rock lifted its trunk to snap a branch from a nearby tree. Much to our surprise, this rock turned out to be an elephant that shied away from us once it sensed it was being watched.

The jeep stops and now the trek is on foot. You reach the Ark by way of a long gangway that leads you to the main deck. You are on your own until dinner to watch any wildlife that might visit. An extraordinary spot to watch the animals is in a ground-level bunker. Here, you are so close to the animals you can see the hairs on the elephants' skin. Yes, I said elephants - more elephants than I could possibly imagine in one spot.

Females, babies, and male bulls all took a turn at the salt lick and water hole. Many of the males' tusks were dirty from digging in the soil and some were broken from battling other male elephants. The elephants put on quite a show while they trumpeted, rumbled, and pushed away visiting rhinos . One young elephant tested its might against an approaching rhino. He charged at the rhino trying to chase it away. The rhino wasn't very pleased by the young elephant's behavior and charged at the elephant while continuing on to the salt lick. The elephant realized his ineffectiveness and ran to safety behind one of the larger elephants. Sensing danger from the rhino, all the other elephants grouped together surrounding the young troublemaker. As a group, the elephants trumpeted and inched closer to the rhino convincing it to move away from the salt lick. No one messes with an elephant!

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