Friday February 22nd, 2013
Today started out with a great breakfast at the hotel and then it was time to be on the road again. We were heading to the Serengeti today but managed to make a couple stops along the way before we got to do some animal hunting.
Before I get to that though I want to talk about the often mentioned "Big 5" when on safari. They are the lion, the elephant, the cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros. They have been named the Big 5 by hunters because they are the most difficult to hunt. Of course the term has been adopted by tour guides for marketing reasons. We wanted to see all those but my Big 5 is a little bit different. So Julie's Big 5: Baby Elephant, Baby lion cub, Baby zebra (are you seeing a pattern), getting chased by a rhino and seeing a lion cub ride on the back of an ostrich. I may be setting myself up for disappointment with the last 2 (and I clearly watch too much Walt Disney) but as long as I see baby every things I'll be happy.
And back to the trip. Like I said, we were heading to Serengeti National Park today but of course it is a bit of a drive and there were some things to see along the way. Hassan changed up the itinerary just a bit, but no complaints. Nothing will get missed and it would allow us to spend more time animal watching. We had to pass by the Ngorongoro Crater so we stopped for a look.
Looking down into the Ngorongoro Crater, a place you must visit if you make it to Tanzania. It is the only crater in the world that contains living things. It is 610 metres deep and a total of 265 square km. It use to be a mountain but collapsed due to the volcanic action in the area. And just for reference it is the best place to go looking for Rhinoceros.
The very nice view point is under construction so this is as close as we could get to the edge.
A look at a few of the Maasai shepherds grazing cattle on the edge of the crater. The Maasai people use to live on the Serengeti (a Maasai word that means endless plain) until it was declared a National Park in 1951 and they were forced out. They then moved to the Ngorongoro Region where the fought and won a war with the local tribe. The losing tribe (now considered a "respected enemy" moved south, and the Maasai have been here ever since. I know I mentioned there are about 126 different tribes in Tanzania, all of whom speak their own language. Swahili is the language that connects them all.
The large lake is Lake Magadi. It is an alkaline lake home to many flamingos. Of course visiting said flamingos will have to wait a few days as this is as close as I would get today. It was a fantastic view though.
One of the many Maasai villages we past along the way.
Back on the road. Those are zebras next to the roadside. They just kind of hang out there.
Ostrich!!!!! Would have been better if lion cubs were riding them but I guess the birds on their own will do.
This is an Eland which is the largest member of the antelope family.
Our beautiful trek through the African country side was eventually leading us to a small Maasai village. Along the way we passed many other villages and sometimes you would even see small children from the villages along the roadside, dressed in traditional clothing waving at tourists. No doubt they were hoping some of those tourists would stop and ask them for pictures or something and that they might make a few dollars for their village.
We eventually stopped at a village where we paid a very modest fee to have a tour and meet some of the villagers and learn about the culture. Of course the first thing to point out that this village, along with many others in the area are supported very well by tourist dollars so while the traditions are the same, the life style is very different. You also saw how the new technology is influencing the tribe. The man who welcomed us and collected our money, while dressed in traditional clothing, was wearing hiking boots and a utility belt for his cell phone.
The men getting ready to welcome us.
A little look at the welcome song performed by the men of the village.
This little one seems very use to being dressed up for tourists....but we didn't seem to impress him.
Part of the welcome dance that involves jumping in air, often in pairs.
One of the women all dressed up. The jewelry is worn for special occasions only.
Looking at the entrance to the village. The houses are made in a circle with a fence around the outside to protect them from animals. The houses are made from umbrella tree branches and mud. The houses are normally made and maintained by the women of the village while the men will collect the materials used to build them.
Another look at the welcoming group of women.
This little one wandered over to me when I knelt down to take a picture.
A little friend soon joined. They were really fascinated with my watch.
Outside one of those small homes. Maasai men can have many wives. Each wife and family would have a small home like this.
Inside one of those homes. You will find an area to sleep and to cook. The Maasai people are traditionally nomadic. When the grazing areas disappear during the dry season, the village will move.....leaving the houses. Family groups are allowed to move into an empty village if they come across one.
A little guy saying hi from inside his house.
Lots of little hands and faces greeting us....but still a little shy.
From the village we made our way out back to visit the kindergarten. It is run by an elder in the village and attended by children from several surrounding villages. They survive mostly by donations from tourists with the hopes of preparing the 3 to 7 year olds for primary school.
A little look at what the children are learning.
The class.
The little song they sang for us.
Just as we were getting ready to leave, the Red Cross rolled up. They were giving immunizations to the children. Lola and I took the opportunity to donate some of the extra medications we had packed with us.
From the village we made our way to Serengeti National Park. I mentioned earlier that the Maasai were removed from the Serengeti when it was declared a National Park. Only 2 things are allowed in a national park, research and tourism. No human settlement is allowed. As we rolled up we started to see the first evidence of the wildebeest and zebra migration. Up to 2 million animals migrate in a circle following water and soil nutrients. These animal often give birth to their young while on the Serengeti due to the high PO4 content in the soil (it's good for nursing) and the flat area allows for great viewing for predators. We are seeing the animals in the areas now because it is still raining so now they will wait until most have given birth and the young are old enough to migrate.
This little wildebeest...not old enough to migrate. Unfortunately, he was lost; all by himself with no herd to be seen (it made me sad). There is a good chance he will become a meal for some one (stupid nature and the survival of the fittest) but in my head I have a picture of a nice happy reunion between this little guy and his mommy.
My first hyena. They really are an interesting looking animal.
Some zebras and wildebeest just hanging out on the Serengeti.....no big deal.
Another little zebra. So cute.
Just missed this crossing but trust me there were happening all over the place. Lots of wildebeest around.
Driving along. Hope you don't get car sick.
A stork. Seriously a gigantic bird.
This is a cute little serval cat. They are not very big, but very pretty.
A jackal sticking his tongue out at us.
Well you can cross cape buffalo off the list of Big 5. There it is.
We already saw the largest antelope and now here is the smallest. This is a little dyk dyk. They wouldn't be much bigger than a dog. They are really cute little things.
Look up.......way up. There's a giraffe, or 2 or 3.
Eating away at those high leaves. I'm sure we all know by now that giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world but did you know their hearts weigh 8 to 11 kilograms (17 to 24 lbs)? They need a big heart in order to pump blood up to their heads.
Hippos!!! Don't worry, I won't sing the song again. But I had it in my head the entire trip. Hippos spend most of the time in water. They only come out to eat the grass, usually at night. They can stay under water for up to 10 minutes.
He's looking at me. Interesting thing, crocodiles live in the river as well. They seem to have an agreement. If the crocodiles leave the baby hippos alone, the hippos let the crocs stay. If they start to look at baby hippos as food, those hippos will chase those crocs right out of the area. Sounds like a good deal to me.
A gazelle... or impala or something like that. Looking very majestic just standing there.
Eventually it was getting close to sunset which was our cue to get off the Serengeti and to our accommodation for the night. They don't always talk about poachers here but everyone knows it still happens. They do most of their work at night (although the park gates close at sunset) but you do not want to run into one of them. We made our way to a nearby place just outside the park gates, Ngone Wilderness Lodge. They have these very large canvas tents with thatched roofs with full electricity, running water, showers and flush toilets.
Inside our little nature tent. Through that back door you will find the bathroom. On this day we had no hot water and Lola found a spider in the shower but it's a pretty nice little place. Nice and quiet.........except for all the nature noises.
A look at our wilderness tent.
The view. Not bad.
We spent the evening up at the main tent where they serve the meals and you can find a nice beer. It is only a small place and there were only about 10 of us staying there. Meal tonight, cucumber soup, pork chops, french fries and some amazing eggplant. Just can't say enough about the food here.
Dark comes quickly, which brings the cries of the hyenas......they sound really close.
Day #2 complete. Tomorrow it will be back to the Serengeti and we'll be on the look out for Simba.
Julie
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