Burungi Circuit

The river valleys on the Burungi Circuit are lined with magnificent borassus palm trees. It is interesting to note that the wood from this tree is termite resistant. Small birds called palm swifts nest in the branches attaching a small bunch of feathers, glued together by saliva, to the mid-rib of a tree branch. From a ground perspective, gazing up at the tree tops from several meters away, these little nests look like a mass of cobwebs. The Borrasus palm also produces a tasty fruit that is edible, and a good palm wine can be tapped from the tree. Interestingly, both lions and elephants like the taste of the edible fruit that grows on the palms.

After turning west into woodland scattered with African ebony trees, it is quite possible to see Africa’s largest antelope the eland. Elands are massive animals, almost cow-like in their build, with big males weighing up to 900 kg and measuring almost 2 meters in height at the prominent hump near the neck. The eland is a very skittish animal in spite of their massive size. Both males and females have spiraled horns that grow straight back from their heads. The female eland are reddish fawn in color, while the older males are more of a grey. Both sexes have characteristic lateral stripes draped around the barrel of their bodies.

Near a kopje, approximately 5 miles short from the park boundary, is a spectacular view of Lake Burugi glittering in the distance. Lake Manyara, the three rolling peaks of Milima Mitatu and the Gregory Rift Wall form a scenic backdrop. Lake Burungi, as well as Lake Manyara, are shallow soda lakes rarely reaching depths of more than 2 meters. The water contains various minerals, mainly calcium and sodium.

Since these lakes are formed by natural depressions in the land, they have limited outlets and the minerals can sometimes get very concentrated. Sometimes, during drought years, the lakes will completely evaporate, leaving behind white soda deposits that glitter like snow in the sunshine.

Once in the valley, you will re-enter thick bush and if you are paying attention you might even catch a glimpse of a bushbuck. These pretty antelopes of medium build have a grey or brown coat and light spots on their haunches. Both males and females have bushy white tails that are raised like a flag when they are alarmed and leap for cover. Male bushbuck have a pair of straight, spiral horns.