Savanna

A savanna (also spelled savannah) is a rolling grassland scattered with shrubs and isolated trees, which can be found between a tropical rainforest and desert biome. Not enough rain falls on a savanna to support forests. Savannas are also known as tropical grasslands. They are found in a wide band on either side of the equator on the edges of tropical rainforests.

Savannas have warm temperature year round. There are actually two very different seasons in a savanna; a very long dry season (winter), and a very wet season (summer). In the dry season only an average of about 4 inches of rain falls. Between December and February no rain will fall at all. Oddly enough, it is actually a little cooler during this dry season. But don't expect sweater weather; it is still around 70° F.

In the summer there is lots of rain. In Africa the monsoon rains begin in May. An average of 15 to 25 inches of rain falls during this time. It gets hot and very humid during the rainy season. Every day the hot, humid air rises off the ground and collides with cooler air above and turns into rain. In the afternoons on the summer savanna the rains pour down for hours. African savannas have large herds of grazing and browsing hoofed animals. Each animal has a specialized eating habit that reduces competition for food.

The Lodge

The island's lodge is also located on the savanna. For more information, please check out the lodge page. Because the lodge often represents the starting points for most characters, most adventure on the island begins by travelling through the savanna.

Valley of Kings

The Valley of Kings is an area that is almost certainly dominated by Simba. Because of the unique structure of Ushirikiano Kisiwa, many of the feral breeds of this island can find a place that is most akin to their home life in Eastern Africa. For the Simba it is definitely the Valley.

Here, on the savannah, a great formation of rocks forms several dens for many of the Kinfolk and Simba alike to share. Surrounded by Yellow Fever trees and the endless grasslands that surround them, lions are very at home on these plains and often see this the most fit place to do their bidding.

Several younger Simba are taught hunting skills on these plains, hand in hand with the younger kinfolk lions. It is here that they are most comfortable interacting with their own kind. Aside from the local moot rite, this is where the Simba of Ushirikiano Kisiwa hold their Taghairms and rituals. Though dominated by Feline born Simba and their kin, this space is open to all of the Island's occupants- though visitors should take precautions when entering the lion's den, you never know if that flicker in the grass is merely a figment of your imagination or the tuft of a young, learning Simba.