We All Went On Safari

Tanzania, Africa
Thursday, February 21, 2013

Today, part two of my African adventure started. This was certainly to be a more relaxed part of the trip. Today we would be heading out into the wilds to see what animals we could find. Lola and I have booked a 13 day package with Zara Adventures that included the Kilimanjaro climb and then 5 days on Safari. We were not sure how it would work, if you would be put together with another group or what. We were very happy when this morning arrived and we found ourselves loading up into a 4x4 with just ourselves and our driver Hassan.

Once we were all loaded up, we headed out of town. Well ok at 0940 we headed out of the hotel and once again headed to the bank machines. It took another 20 minutes to find one that would give us money.....and the amount of money we wanted, but at 1000 we finally headed out of town.

Hassan of course was not just our driver, he was also our guide. I have been known to ask a lot of questions about things and people and places and Hassan always had an answer for me. It was roughly a 4 hour drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara National Park, which was to be our first chance to start checking the "Top Five" off our list. We got to see more than a few other things as well.

There is obviously a lot of farm land that we traveled through, but what crops are grown totally depends on the irrigation in the area. Many of the fields had already been cultivated and now just waiting for the rains. When the rains come the fields will be planted with mostly maize, soy beans and sunflowers. Closer to Moshi we saw a lot of millet (yes like the porridge on the mountain). They had it lined out on the ground on tarps drying in the sun. Although millet can be used for flour to make all kinds of things, most of this millet was destined to be turned into the local beer.

We made a quick stop in Arusha for some water and other provisions. Arusha is Tanzania's 2nd largest city with a population of about 1.8 to 2 million people. It is a very colourful city....as one would expect. Lots of cars and people on the street but mostly I enjoyed the small vans that run as buses. Mostly they are privately owned so people decorate them up how they want. A cheaper option for transportation are the motorcycle taxis.....lined up all over the place. For a couple dollars they will take you almost anywhere.

As we got closer to Lake Manyara National Park, we got a look at the Rift Valley. It runs from Ethiopia to Mozambique and is caused by the movement of the earth. Kind of looks like a giant rock wall as you approach it......just goes on forever.

Looking down at Lake Manyara National Park

Another things that stood out along the way was the first sighting of the Maasai tribe. One of about 126 different tribes in Tanzania (who all have their own traditions and languages), they still call the area home. Along the way we passed some Maasai all dressed in black with faces painted black and white. Hassan explained that these boys, between the ages of 18 and 24 would have recently been circumcised. They will walk around town like this for about 2 to 3 months, to show everyone that they are now men. If the shed a tear during the circumcision, they will never be considered men. The tribe waits until the boys are older to perform the circumcision so that they will remember the pain.

I cannot take credit for this photo as I did not take it, but I needed to find one to share. I didn't take a lot of photos while driving so I have done a little Internet searching to find some to share.

And all that was before lunch. Eventually we made it to Lake Manyara where we enjoyed a picnic lunch, before popping the top and heading inside to see some animals. Didn't take long either.

Take a look at some Olive Baboons. The little ones are just so cute. I love their little ears. We spotted these guys while having lunch.

What I meant when I said "popping the top". Great for spotting animals, but I assure you, Hassan is an expert at that.

The Sausage Tree....so named for the fruit that hangs from the tree. They are used in beer production along with millet.

Looking out from underneath the popped top.

Little baboon......just hanging out and eating. So cute.

A look at the baboon family blocking the road. Of course in these parks, there are roads that we can travel on....and must stay on, but the animals still have the right of way so no moving them to get on our way.

And that would be my first elephant of the trip. He was a little camera shy but I knew he would not be my only elephant so I wasn't too worried.

One of the many birds in the park. I believe this is a Southern Ground Hornbill.

The one place we were allowed to get out of the vehicle.....but we couldn't get too close to anything.

As the song says..."I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do......no crocodiles, or rhinoceroses, I only like hippopotamuses.....and hippopotamuses like me too". These hippos weren't up to much, but I guess that is the life of a hippo.

Zebra!!! and little zebra.

Another elephant.....

......and a baby elephant!!!!! Check and check!

I was really waiting for this elephant to spray water at the people in that vehicle....but he didn't. Kind of strange to just see them standing there. The vehicles don't seem to bother them at all.

Another hornbill.....just like Zazu in The Lion King. Yes, I can identify many African animals by their character in The Lion King.

After a few hours traveling through Lake Manyara National Park, we headed to our accommodation for the night. We were not sure where we would be staying but we were told they were all nice places. Kudu Lodge was certainly nice. No complaints from me. http://h-rsv.com/a386502/index.htm

Our room.....after our little tent on the mountain, this was a very welcome change.

The bathroom (well there is another room with a giant shower in it but I had to show off the stone sink and counter).

So after a wonderful day of animal spying, Lola and I were able to have a nice relaxing evening at the hotel with some great food (again, some of the most amazing soup I've ever had) and some great wine.

Day #1 of the Safari done. Way more animals to see tomorrow.

Julie