Post Safari Report

We got back from the safari yesterday and while i am exhausted it was an absolutely amazzinnngg time. We left on Friday after lunch and were driving in two different big jeep like cars. Our first stop was at a Masai village where we were able to watch a performance of this small tribe as well as see the homes in which they live. It was such a fascinating experience. They all wore very traditional African outfits with lots of beaded jewelery and neck pieces. We were also able to see inside their homes which consisted of a one room area made of wood and cow dung. In their tribe I learned, a man has many wives who each has their own house for herself and the kids, which she has built. Then the husband switches from hut to hut at his will. After the show and exploring the huts we were able to purchase some of the hand crafts which members of this tribe made and take pictures to capture the moment. We also learned that like most masai tribes in the area, these people are herders and believe that cows are sacred. If anything is to happen to one of their cows, such as being eaten by a lion, the lion must be hunted. thus we were also shown the spears which they use to kill the lions.

Then we went to our camp site for dinner and spent the rest of the night hanging out outside of our tents. The next morning we were up early and after a warm breakfast we made our way to Lake Manyara, which was about 20 minutes from our campsite. Once in the park we took the top off the jeep and were able to stand while we coasted through the park in search of animals. The first animal that crossed our path was a huge giraffe that stood directly in the middle of the road blocking our way. It was so exciting and from that moment on the excitement just escalated as we circled the park and lake area seeing every animal from zebras to elephants to hippos. It was great. Sadly it rained at times so we had to put the hood on but overall we were able to get amazing pics looking down from the top of the jeep. After a picnic lunch in the park, we drove around a little more before heading back to our campsite and packing up our stuff. The first part was great but no lions which i was kind of disappointed about. All i could do then was pray that the next day we would see some.

We loaded ourselves back into the car and drove two hours or so until we reached the Ngonororo Crater Campsite. However before entering the park our guides had to fill out some paper work so we waited in the car. Suddenly while waiting we looked over at the next car of people in our group after hearing shrieking and saw that a baboon had climbed into the front seat through teh window to steal cookies. Luckily, the screams scared it away but it was pretty crazy to watch other members of my group screaming and running out of the car. Pretty funny too. After the excitement we drove to our campsite at the edge of the crater and set up our tents. While doing so I was excited to see that an elephant was walking around less than 100 feet from our campsite. It was so cool to think that we would be sleeping tonight in the African wild. That night we met other travelers, hung around a camp fire, and went to bed fairly early because we knew we were going to have to wake up at 5 the next morning. It was freezing at the top of the crater so my three friends and i abandoned our one tent and all crammed into one that was meant for just two people. We were still cold.

The next morning we woke up to our guide making a rooster call next to our heads, which meant it was time to get moving. We jumped in the cars and began driving down to the crater. We were all pretty tired but were immediately woken up when we spotted two cheetahs at the side of the road. We were told that they were very rare to see so we were thrilled. Then driving further into the crater, as the scenery became more lion-king-esque we began to see rhinos, buffalo, gazels, zebras, hyenas, and other animals all living together in a wide open space. Even more than the day before, was this what i had imagined when i thought of a safari. However by the time we had breakfast still no lions were in site. Next to our breakfast site, we did however encounter a python briefly before it slithered into the water which i guess is also pretty rare so that was cool. After breakfast we were all on the look out for lions when our guide took out the binoculars and pointed to a group of animals on our left hand side. They were lions! Not only that but within minutes of stopping our car they one by one came over to us and actually walked right between our jeeps and lied down right in from of us! It was like they were posing and wanted us to take pictures. It was so cool how close we got. After that excitement, we drove around a while longer taking great pictures and enjoying the scenery. We also began to blast various lion king songs on the speaker to put us even more in the mood. It was a blast.

At lunch time we went back to the campsite, ate a quick lunch, and were on the road back home. It was a 4 hour drive back and we were all pretty beat but about half way through we stopped and went to a camel riding site. Kind of random but definitely still fun. I thought i was going to fall off when it stood up :) Afterward we drove another 2 hours home and got back in time for a shower before dinner. It was soooo much fun and I am so happy I got this opportunity. I will hopefully post pictures soon but for now hope the description helped!