Into the Wild Spaces

To be fair, a few of the animals were imported from South Africa, but they were once found here naturally, so it's perhaps forgivable. We spent the morning in a 4-wheel vehicle in the company of a zoologist guide who had clearly made that circuit so many times she knew it by heart. We spotted crocodiles, hippos, rhinos, hyenas, warthogs, zebras, and giraffes without too much trouble. The treetops were full of birds, including the striking Abyssinian Roller in bright, cerulean plumage and a long tail that waggled in the branches. We were also shown the Griot's tree, a traditional burial place in which a real human skull remained visible between the roots.

	Zebra, rendered even more stunning by the colors in the underbrush. Diego was thrilled to see it.
	West African giraffe (I think: the differences in giraffe spots are not obvious to the untrained). It's amazing how quiet these animals are; they have no voice at all, and manage to tread softly through the brush.
	Black Rhino. The Rhinos were usually accompanied by a pack of annoying Warthogs, which the rhino would rush at now and again, just to remind them who the boss is.
	Valentina the Explorer, with binoculars, has just spotted a Wild Animal!
	Diego too has spotted an animal in the distance. But he's also spotted the cookies in our bag, and helped himself to one.
	The Elephant's Baobab, a tree that has happened to take on the silhouette of an elephant. Don't shoot!
	The Griot's Tree, an enormous Baobab with roots you could make a home between. Note skull at feet - it's human.

Like birds? See my Birds of Dakar page, with a growing collection of feathered friends, including aforementioned Abyssinian Roller.