Giraffes

While Krista's parents were here, we tried to introduce them to some of the fun and unique sites we have here on the edge of the Sahara. Just a 45 minute drive outside of the city roams the last wild herd of giraffes in West Africa. There are currently a little over 200 giraffes remaining in the area. They are beautiful gentle creatures.


We drove out to the area where they are and picked up a guide. Here's the guide we had this time. He's one of the best. He's been doing it for over 20 years and loves telling people all about the giraffes. He climbs on top of the vehicle and then tells you which direction to drive by holding a stick down over the windshield. If he wants you to go to the right, he motions to the rights, etc...


All in all, we saw about 28 giraffes. Some were in groups of 2-4 and in some places we saw as many as 14 in a more open area. They have very long tongues (18 inches) for reaching out and grabbing those leaves.


You know it's hard bending down to get a drink like that! It can't be comfortable.


Several of the giraffes are pregnant right now like the one in this picture above. The herd has slowly been gaining in numbers in recent years. About 8 years ago, they numbered around 150. Our guide carefully had us walk close to the giraffes. This one walked right up to us, watched us and then moseyed on by.


These giraffes were getting close to the main road that goes east/west across the country. Our guide wanted to head them away from the road, so he put his shirt on a long stick and held it up in the air as he walked toward the group. That got them moving and they even broke into a jog.

Half the fun is just driving through the bush. There are other animals like cows, goats, sheep, donkeys and camels roaming around with shepherds nearby. You also see huge termite mounds like this one above. The kids like to climb on them.