Safari-time

My brother's visit to Benin offered the perfect excuse to finally go to Park Pendjari.  Phenomenal.  Rainy season is the off season for the park--animals are supposed to be harder to spot since there isn't a central water hole everyone is crowding around.  However, this means that the area is gorgeous and green-- and that we basically had the place to ourselves.  We spent 2 1/2 days on top of a SUV trying to spot animals, and saw most everything we were hoping to, minus the big cats.  Total cost of the 72 hour expedition (with food, hotel, driver, etc.) was about $165 a person.  Not too shabby.  Photos come from me, Erik, and Stephanie's camera.

Day 1... the crew, ready to go

setting out

family of babboons by the water hole

huge termite mounds everywhere we went

Our first elephant!  Munchin on some tree for lunch

How we spent the 3 days

Waterbuck; also known as "horse antelope"

Babboon crossing.  They were always travelling in big groups

Swimming in the waterfalls near our hotel after a long day on the road

this older monkey was apparently sick, but let us get really close!

With our guide, Bernard

Family of 5!!

Trunk action

the smaller monkeys would usually run off and hide in the trees but we got a quick picture of this one

Deer crossing during a rain break

Babboon clan... making their escape

Scampering away

Out at the park first thing to better our chances...

and saw a herd of water buffalo!

They wouldn't stick around us for long...

Yeah... the mornings were a bit chilly

More babboons.  This group was really close to the car.

The closest we got to an elephant!  This dude was eating a tree near our car.  Here he's showin' off them dumbo ears

love this picture.  looks like he's laughing for us

One of many cool trees.

The ever attractive Hembre duo

Our hut for the stay

OK so we didn't actually see lions... but we did see some lion tracks in the mud!

At the entrance: Ouesse commune close mates; safari pose!

Animal themed jumping pic.  Goodbye Pendjari!!