Day 6: Simien Mountains
Friday 13th February 2015
Simien Mountain Lodge – Sankaber Camp A relaxed 9am departure made a welcome change, though some still rose at dawn to walk around the lodge. Lindsay was particularly pleased when she spotted a Black-backed Jackal as it ran through the lodge grounds. We drove part of the way back east but this time only as far as Sankaber Camp. Our local guide took the lead today, taking us on lengthier walks following the long-distance trekking trail close to the cliff edge. We enjoyed more superb views of the Grand Canyon-like foothills in the pellucid morning light. When we stopped for our picnic lunch, we found three Klipspringer quite close by, including a nice male. We then drove a little further east and took another walk along the next section of the trail, where birds were quite plentiful. We found a noisy group of White-rumped Babblers as they moved through the wooded slopes. Three beautiful Abyssinian Catbirds were soon followed by a flock of White-backed Blacktits, two of the more beautiful species endemic to the Horn of Africa. During the morning we watched family groups of Gelada climbing the upper slopes and crags of the escarpment wall. We eventually found ourselves walking right amongst a big herd, when an angry confrontation broke out. We watched spellbound as the alpha male chased off some rival bachelor males, with loud screams and a spinetingling display of aggression. Later that afternoon, as we drove slowly back, we encountered three more Klipspringers and a male Menelik’s Bushbuck as it ran down a track by the road. We saw lots of raptors including three species of Sparrowhawk: Rufous-breasted, Little and Black. In addition, the unusual trees, shrubs and flowering plants were greatly appreciated. We returned to the lodge just as a big thunderstorm rolled in. From the safety of our rooms we heard crashing thunder and watched lightning bolts flash across the blackened sky above the mountains. Later, we enjoyed another fine meal by the fire in this most comfortable of lodges.
Simien Mountain Lodge – Sankaber Camp A relaxed 9am departure made a welcome change, though some still rose at dawn to walk around the lodge. Lindsay was particularly pleased when she spotted a Black-backed Jackal as it ran through the lodge grounds. We drove part of the way back east but this time only as far as Sankaber Camp. Our local guide took the lead today, taking us on lengthier walks following the long-distance trekking trail close to the cliff edge. We enjoyed more superb views of the Grand Canyon-like foothills in the pellucid morning light. When we stopped for our picnic lunch, we found three Klipspringer quite close by, including a nice male. We then drove a little further east and took another walk along the next section of the trail, where birds were quite plentiful. We found a noisy group of White-rumped Babblers as they moved through the wooded slopes. Three beautiful Abyssinian Catbirds were soon followed by a flock of White-backed Blacktits, two of the more beautiful species endemic to the Horn of Africa. During the morning we watched family groups of Gelada climbing the upper slopes and crags of the escarpment wall. We eventually found ourselves walking right amongst a big herd, when an angry confrontation broke out. We watched spellbound as the alpha male chased off some rival bachelor males, with loud screams and a spinetingling display of aggression. Later that afternoon, as we drove slowly back, we encountered three more Klipspringers and a male Menelik’s Bushbuck as it ran down a track by the road. We saw lots of raptors including three species of Sparrowhawk: Rufous-breasted, Little and Black. In addition, the unusual trees, shrubs and flowering plants were greatly appreciated. We returned to the lodge just as a big thunderstorm rolled in. From the safety of our rooms we heard crashing thunder and watched lightning bolts flash across the blackened sky above the mountains. Later, we enjoyed another fine meal by the fire in this most comfortable of lodges.