Sunday, September 17, 2017
Coffee was delivered to our tent at 5:30AM and then we signaled with our flashlight to pick up our bags and gear as we were headed to the airport
I developed a rash on my forehead from a combination of sunscreen and dyes from the hat. We were up early and rode along the river and #10 Crossing. Earlier we had been at Crossing #4 where the river was too high to cross.
Coffee was delivered to our tent at 5:30AM and then we signaled with our flashlight to pick up our bags and gear as we were headed to the airport
I developed a rash on my forehead from a combination of sunscreen and dyes from the hat. We were up early and rode along the river and #10 Crossing. Earlier we had been at Crossing #4 where the river was too high to cross.
On our drive out, we saw two big Buffalo and heard Hippos in the river below.
We had a whistle in our room to use if an animal came too close or if we were afraid. They shared with us that an animal had once charged a tent tearing through the canvas siding. But I don't think this happens often.
We saw a herd of Wildebeest headed to a crossing near #9 at the river.
We had a whistle in our room to use if an animal came too close or if we were afraid. They shared with us that an animal had once charged a tent tearing through the canvas siding. But I don't think this happens often.
We saw a herd of Wildebeest headed to a crossing near #9 at the river.
The Gazelles are some of the most beautiful animals, but they are very fast and always on the run
wagging their little tails.
We saw a Water Buck who posed for the camera before running and then we saw an Eland on the other side of the river.
There were camps all along the side of the river that looked like permanent structures. Alex Walker has a camp on this side as well but we were staying at his portable camp which is broken down and moved to the permanent camp when the season is over.
It was not unusual to see animals standing on top of these termite mounds.
We saw a Water Buck who posed for the camera before running and then we saw an Eland on the other side of the river.
There were camps all along the side of the river that looked like permanent structures. Alex Walker has a camp on this side as well but we were staying at his portable camp which is broken down and moved to the permanent camp when the season is over.
It was not unusual to see animals standing on top of these termite mounds.
The Zebra and Wildebeest are BFFs (Best Friends Forever).
Before leaving the Serengeti, we stopped in the bush for a breakfast of fresh pineapple, egg fritters,
bacon and corn muffins.
We saw an Oribi Antelope which looks a lot like the Thompson Gazelles and lives like the Dik Dik in pairs for life. We saw a small herd of Gazelles across from the Oribi.
Only the Wildebeest and Zebra migrate but sometimes, the Hyenas will follow them. All the other animals stay in the area.
Nile's father and grandfather were guides. He told the story of finding a 4-year-old Maasai child who was lost and could not find his way back home. The guide returned the little boy to the Ranger Station and they were eventually able to return him to his tribe.
Frazer and Emily's little boy, Patrick (Patty) was an adorable tow head who was very friendly. Emily said someone has to stay with Patty all the time for fear of Leopards. Leopards will hunt and attack anyone who gives off a sound or sign of distress like crying.
We saw an Oribi Antelope which looks a lot like the Thompson Gazelles and lives like the Dik Dik in pairs for life. We saw a small herd of Gazelles across from the Oribi.
Only the Wildebeest and Zebra migrate but sometimes, the Hyenas will follow them. All the other animals stay in the area.
Nile's father and grandfather were guides. He told the story of finding a 4-year-old Maasai child who was lost and could not find his way back home. The guide returned the little boy to the Ranger Station and they were eventually able to return him to his tribe.
Frazer and Emily's little boy, Patrick (Patty) was an adorable tow head who was very friendly. Emily said someone has to stay with Patty all the time for fear of Leopards. Leopards will hunt and attack anyone who gives off a sound or sign of distress like crying.
While Nicholas managed our visa and crossing from Tanzania into Kenya, we had George riding along
with us and were never really sure what George's role was.
We arrived Sinari, the border town with many roadside markets. After the immigration process, we crossed the border into Karibu Kenya to show proof of our Yellow Fever shots and then pay for our visa entry into the country.
George and Nicholas drove us out to another airstrip where we sat in a thatched hut waiting for our plane.
When the planes come in, they land on a strip that crosses the highway.
We boarded Safari Link airlines where Phillip and Yassir flew us 20 minutes to the next destination. We arrived early, and our plane landed so it all worked out. Lots of locals hang out at the Airstrip - mostly children neatly dressed and attired all smiling and greeting the travelers.
Kenya looked very lush and green with dirt roads running through the fields.
We arrived Sinari, the border town with many roadside markets. After the immigration process, we crossed the border into Karibu Kenya to show proof of our Yellow Fever shots and then pay for our visa entry into the country.
George and Nicholas drove us out to another airstrip where we sat in a thatched hut waiting for our plane.
When the planes come in, they land on a strip that crosses the highway.
We boarded Safari Link airlines where Phillip and Yassir flew us 20 minutes to the next destination. We arrived early, and our plane landed so it all worked out. Lots of locals hang out at the Airstrip - mostly children neatly dressed and attired all smiling and greeting the travelers.
Kenya looked very lush and green with dirt roads running through the fields.
From above all the houses have corrugated silver metal roofs.
Reflecting on our travels thus far, Tanzania was really beautiful. Lake Manyara was a small enclave of lush jungle, dense forest and brush and very large lakes.
The Serengeti went on forever with Acacia trees dotting the horizon and animals freely roaming the plains.
No one seems to be in any hurry which I like because since I retired, I am extracting hurry from my life!
From above the Mara Plains are vast with few houses. I think life here is much like it was from the beginning centuries ago, people herding cattle and sheep.
Reflecting on our travels thus far, Tanzania was really beautiful. Lake Manyara was a small enclave of lush jungle, dense forest and brush and very large lakes.
The Serengeti went on forever with Acacia trees dotting the horizon and animals freely roaming the plains.
No one seems to be in any hurry which I like because since I retired, I am extracting hurry from my life!
From above the Mara Plains are vast with few houses. I think life here is much like it was from the beginning centuries ago, people herding cattle and sheep.
We saw Thomson and Grand Gazelles. The thorny Acacia has small black beads on its limbs. Ants (Cocktail Ants) bore holes in the black beads. When animals brush up against the limbs, the ants come out and bite.
We saw a male Impala marking a tree. Then a Topi with blue markings on its legs.
Ben and Holly met us when the jeep arrived at Great Plains. The Camp had a swinging bridge you crossed
with a river creek bed below.
On arrival we had a deliciously refreshing drink of ginger and lemonade over ice. It was 1:00PM when we checked in and we were hungry for lunch. This camp is like a Ritz Carlton in the bush.
Lunch was beef burgers, salads, veggie tart, Brussels sprouts with dijon vinaigrette dressing. We immediately met one of the two women who would be traveling with us on safari while there. Roseann is from NYC and has a 15-year old Spitz and is a big dog lover. Tania is her travel companion and is also from NYC. They have been friends for 25 years having both worked in the advertising industry.
On arrival we had a deliciously refreshing drink of ginger and lemonade over ice. It was 1:00PM when we checked in and we were hungry for lunch. This camp is like a Ritz Carlton in the bush.
Lunch was beef burgers, salads, veggie tart, Brussels sprouts with dijon vinaigrette dressing. We immediately met one of the two women who would be traveling with us on safari while there. Roseann is from NYC and has a 15-year old Spitz and is a big dog lover. Tania is her travel companion and is also from NYC. They have been friends for 25 years having both worked in the advertising industry.
That evening, I had duck and Cal had turkey for dinner. We had Tusker beers which originated in
Kenya. In 1932, two brothers were out hunting, and one brother was gored to death by an elephant
and the other brother renamed the Beer Company, Tusker, in memory of his brother.