Stator, The GSR travelling mascot.

[sinkankan]

Poaching is always a bad problem, I heard some very disturbing things a day or two back, I have heard many stories about who is behind poaching and there can only be one end. They say the black rhino is extinct the rest are not so far behind. I have just got back from Tsavo and am disappointed about the dwindling numbers of animals. Tsavo means "Place of death"

We had a Chinese "travelling" salesman in the camp at Ombasu Ghana set up a stall trying to sell ivory and fake diamonds to unsuspecting white construction workers. He bribed his way past the gate guards and the camp manager and his best customers were the Asian guys.
Discretion and telling the other white workers that his stuff will probably be confiscated at the airport, was the only way to cut his visit short. Once he knew he wasn't going to sell anymore he packed up and moved back to the main town, where he set up in the pub visited by workers. He tried to ply his wares on us again during the weekend, but we noticed the local police were paying a great deal of attention to the pub over the weekend.
Being found with gold or diamonds on you, in a state run town in Ghana would ensure you spent time in prison, until you could get a friend or tour company to bribe way out. And it was up to your friends to pass food though the bars to fed you, because the police reckoned it wasn't their problem.
Poachers and the dealers had devious ways of getting their stuff sold and out the country, and we stayed well clear of anyone dealing in it.

 

[Guest]

I was interested to see the pictures of Tsavo, as I worked there for ten years. Poaching has been a problem for decades. While I was there, the main culprits were well-armed Tanzanians. who would cross the border, do their business, and get back before we could catch them.

The big rains should be coming just about now. If I recall correctly the most arid months (as in when water levels are lowest) are November and February.

Just one thing - Tsavo doesn't mean 'slaughter' or 'death'. It's just derived from the Maasai word for 'river'.

 

[tatu]

Poaching is always a bad problem, I heard some very disturbing things a day or two back, I have heard many stories about who is behind poaching and there can only be one end. They say the black rhino is extinct the rest are not so far behind. I have just got back from Tsavo and am disappointed about the dwindling numbers of animals. Tsavo means "Place of death"

We had a Chinese "travelling" salesman in the camp at Ombasu Ghana set up a stall trying to sell ivory and fake diamonds to unsuspecting white construction workers. He bribed his way past the gate guards and the camp manager and his best customers were the Asian guys.
Discretion and telling the other white workers that his stuff will probably be confiscated at the airport, was the only way to cut his visit short. Once he knew he wasn't going to sell anymore he packed up and moved back to the main town, where he set up in the pub visited by workers. He tried to ply his wares on us again during the weekend, but we noticed the local police were paying a great deal of attention to the pub over the weekend.
Being found with gold or diamonds on you, in a state run town in Ghana would ensure you spent time in prison, until you could get a friend or tour company to bribe way out. And it was up to your friends to pass food though the bars to fed you, because the police reckoned it wasn't their problem.
Poachers and the dealers had devious ways of getting their stuff sold and out the country, and we stayed well clear of anyone dealing in it.

Being locked up anywhere in Africa can,t be much fun and it's true here also that prisoners rely on outside help for their wellbeing. The warning here are very clear and all over about ivory, the problem is that it goes very high up and is very organised.

 

[tatu]

I was interested to see the pictures of Tsavo, as I worked there for ten years. Poaching has been a problem for decades. While I was there, the main culprits were well-armed Tanzanians. who would cross the border, do their business, and get back before we could catch them.

The big rains should be coming just about now. If I recall correctly the most arid months (as in when water levels are lowest) are November and February.

Just one thing - Tsavo doesn't mean 'slaughter' or 'death'. It's just derived from the Maasai word for 'river'.

Lots of guns and bad guys in Tanzania.
Yes long rains just around the corner, there has been some rain there already.
Tsavo does mean 'place of death' or as google tells me 'Slaughter' I think it should translate as 'Place of slaughter' but the last bit I'm only guessing. There are no Maasai in Tsavo. Akamba are the tribe there in the East and Taita to the West. Maasai are more to the North, on the Maasai Steppe (Mara) Narok, Eldoret. Eldoret means rocky river, is that what you are thinking?

 

[Guest]

The Maasai word is 'sabuk', pronounced 'tsavok'. As far as I recall, the Maasai were moved from SE Kenya in the early 20th century to make way for European ranching, and for the game reserves. Both the Maasai and the Kamba are effectively recent immigrants - the Kamba are a Bantu tribe who moved in from central Africa, and the Maasai are a Nilotic tribe tribe from the Nile valley. Both arrived in East Africa in the 17th/18th centuries, but initially the Maasai 'owned' the majority of the land. One reason why the British found it easy to reduce the Maasai territory (by approx. 60%) is that well over half of all Maasai died during the Emutai at the end of the 19th century.

Anyway, sorry for the history lesson, which you were probably aware of anyway!

 

[tatu]

Sad to see Stator's Kenya trip is coming to an end. I've really been enjoying your pics and monologue about a country I know very little about. Great stuff !

Thanks, I'm glad you like it, I used to go Safari for a month or two at a time but stopping in the game parks like in the old days is not possible anymore.

 

[bccap]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it, I used to go Safari for a month or two at a time but stopping in the game parks like in the old days is not possible anymore.

African safari looks a lot more interesting than in India. I've lost track of the number of tiger safaris I've been on and still never seen one. Saw a leopard in the hotel swimming pool once which I'm told is a rare siting but no tigers. Stayed in a couple of those luxury tent resorts as well. The most decadent one was a fishing resort. A bunch of guys descend on your tent in the morning and down to the river you go. Some of them head up river and toss bait in and another guy does the casting and fishing while you sit on a rock drinking beer. If he hooks something he hands you the rod. LOL

 

[tatu]

The Maasai word is 'sabuk', pronounced 'tsavok'. As far as I recall, the Maasai were moved from SE Kenya in the early 20th century to make way for European ranching, and for the game reserves. Both the Maasai and the Kamba are effectively recent immigrants - the Kamba are a Bantu tribe who moved in from central Africa, and the Maasai are a Nilotic tribe tribe from the Nile valley. Both arrived in East Africa in the 17th/18th centuries, but initially the Maasai 'owned' the majority of the land. One reason why the British found it easy to reduce the Maasai territory (by approx. 60%) is that well over half of all Maasai died during the Emutai at the end of the 19th century.

Anyway, sorry for the history lesson, which you were probably aware of anyway!

First I've heard of it, I have no idea if the British or its even possible to move a tribe let alone a smelly feisty bunch like the Maasai.
Tsavo means 'Place of death' in the Akamba language and it refers to the area where the game park is now.

 

[tatu]

African safari looks a lot more interesting than in India. I've lost track of the number of tiger safaris I've been on and still never seen one. Saw a leopard in the hotel swimming pool once which I'm told is a rare siting but no tigers. Stayed in a couple of those luxury tent resorts as well. The most decadent one was a fishing resort. A bunch of guys descend on your tent in the morning and down to the river you go. Some of them head up river and toss bait in and another guy does the casting and fishing while you sit on a rock drinking beer. If he hooks something he hands you the rod. LOL

Tigers, another animal persecuted to extinction, cats are becoming unusual in K too, its been years since I've been to the Mara or the Serengeti so have no idea what its like there these days.
That sounds like very civilised fishing to me, if you like fishing..on the day we went up to pay our park fees that allows us direct entrance through the road we used we stopped at the Malindi fishing club to see if any old friends were there, it was empty but I snapped this....

Not really into blood sports myself but I do enjoy a bit of fishing sometimes, strictly for the pan.

 

[tatu]

And I nearly forgot the obligatory beer shot...
You can find me here most Saturdays swilling that stuff.

 

[tatu]

Well, Stator has seen some amazing places and had some fantastic experiences on his travels, but think this trip has to have been the highlight. Thanks Tatu, really enjoyed those pictures. Only downside is that my wife has been nagging me about going on Safari for years, now she has more ammunition !.

Thanks and you're welcome, my advice is don't hesitate much longer the tourist industry is depressed at the moment and so there are some cracking deals to be had. KWS have just reduced the park fees and the cost of a visa also fell when I arrived this time as an effort to encourage visitors. Too little too late but it's something hotels, very good ones, are giving good deals.

 

[bccap]

Yeah. I'm the same, used to fish for salmon off the tug. The only reason I did it in India was I knew the owners and it was free. Tigers in India are pretty much done for. Poaching isn't the problem anymore, encroachment and inbreeding is. The official numbers they give are BS. Here is a picture of a friend of mines dad. He was the last official man eater hunter.........

 

[tatu]

I read somewhere that the locals used to put masks of faces on the backs of their heads while they were working, apparently it spooked and threw the would be attacking tigers as they stalk from behind. I think you put that photo up before?

 

[bccap]

I read somewhere that the locals used to put masks of faces on the backs of their heads while they were working, apparently it spooked and threw the would be attacking tigers as they stalk from behind. I think you put that photo up before?

Yeah I did. Can't remember what thread. He was an interesting guy with lots of stories. He and his family were pretty involved in Project Tiger. From what I was told the only chance they have is to bring in the army for the encroachment but even that may be too little too late.........

 

[bccap]

Do you live in Kenya tatu ? I've never been able to figure it out as you often post from England. It sure looks like an interesting country.....

 

[tatu]

Do you live in Kenya tatu ? I've never been able to figure it out as you often post from England. It sure looks like an interesting country.....

I post from all over, yes I have a foot in both.

 

[Flyboy]

Awesome travel log Tatu :applouse::applouse:

 

[londonboards]

Thanks to Tatu, Stator has had an awesome time in Keny.

Stator has now flown back to the UK and is back with me. I am packing him up and getting ready to send him to his next caretaker.

I am quite willing to send him anywhere! Just let me know where you are and we can get going.

I'm thinking that back to the US or Canada is a good idea.

Let me know.

 

[tatu]

Awesome travel log Tatu :applouse::applouse:

Cool, Did you recognise the Merlin engine?

 

[Gramma Peppermint]

Wish I could take him, but I don't know if he'd like the 'ol El Camino...
(Still trying to figure out the starting problem w/the bike.... I have another idea, just have to get to it!)
Tatu, you outdid yourself! Great job everyone... Maybe Stator needs a little rest after THAT trip!