On Safari

I went on safari with Shelley from Chicago.  We left on Friday morning - driver Charles and cook Yasim picked us up at the volunteer house at 8:30 am and we were at the Serengeti gate by 12 noon.  I don't know when I have been so excited.  We begin to see animals right away, Impalas, alligators, giraffes, elephants, hippos, wildebeest, wild buffalo, warthogs, leopards sleeping in a tree - this was day 1.  The landscape constantly changes as we drive with beautiful umbrella trees.  It is surreal to see these animals in their natural habitat.  Charles has been guiding for 15 years to is very knowledgeable and answered my many questions.  We arrived at camp on Night 1 - beautiful sunset, ate dinner, slept in an uncomfortable tent hoping I did not have to go to the washroom. 

Up early in the morning for a game drive and then back to camp for breakfast.  Off we go again to see more animals and visit a Masai village.  It was amazing - men can have more than one wife - marriages are arranged - you are rich depending on how many cows you have- they only eat meat and goats milk mixed with goats blood.  The make the most beautiful jewellry - women make the houses, raise the children, make the jewellry and the men look after the animals.  I have so much to say about this tribe but there just isn't room today.

Then on the the Ngorongoro Crater area.  The crater is 20 km. wide and absolutely beautiful with forests, swamps on the crater floor.  The local Masai people share the crater area with the animals and have many villages here.  They have the grazing rights for their cattle.

We saw many more animals - another uncomfortable camping night - note to self - book lodge next time.  During the night, wild buffalo were in the campsite grazing.  We could hear them munching the grass and snorting a little.  I was happy to see morning.

We drove back to Mwanza today seeing more animals on the way - an 8 hour drive.  Finally home for a welcome shower.  This truly was an experience of a lifetime that I shall never forget..............