Day 24

We had another early morning wake up for a long day of driving. We were still on the Tanzania coast near Zanzibar and needed to travel almost 1000 kilometers to the Serengeti. Nash ensured we were well fed with fried eggs for breakfast. We all made sandwiches for lunch because the long drive would not permit time for a lunch stop. We hit the road before sunrise.

The roads were a little smother and we were enjoying the views of sunrise while cool air circled through the bus. Jojo informed us that we would have a view of Mt Kilimanjaro along the drive and that he expected it would be visible after lunch – we all joked that we’d eat our sandwiches early in hopes of seeing it sooner. As promised, we didn’t see it until early afternoon. Unfortunately, the clouds were low and thick over the giant so we were only able to see the base of the mountain. The countryside view made up for it as rows of sunflower farms passed between us and the mountain.

We arrived to the campsite at dusk. After we checked in and setup our tent, a Tanzania Experience guide briefed us on what to expect the following days. He explained that 14 of us will be split into two safari trucks. Because we are a family of five now, we were happy that we would all be together and we wondered who else would be with us for the three day adventure. That night, Nash made a steak dinner with a pasta salad and gem squash. I absolutely love his squash – he uses it as a bowl with a corn mixture inside and it’s topped with cheese. It was a great end to a long day.

Day 25

After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, we all grabbed our day packs for the Serengeti Excursion. As Will and I approached the waiting safari trucks, we saw Sam and Carolyn and headed to join their truck. That’s when we learned that the company actually had three trucks waiting and wanted five people to each truck. Perfect because we are five! But then we realized that everyone else was already getting settled and there wasn’t a truck open for all of us. We would need to be split up. Sam and Carolyn ended up riding with the Aussies (which they termed the Senior Truck). Will, Erin and I rode with Nash and the Canadian couple who joined the trip in Dar Es Salaam (and we called ourselves the party truck).

The caravan drove through Arusha which took quite some time due to heavy traffic and making stops to get box lunches and drinks for the upcoming days. As we exited town, the trucks turned into Meserani Snake Park. The park had about thirty snakes on display that are all native in Africa. Most rushed though the park but Will and I took our time learning about each one. Our slow pace paid off because those of us with the guide at the end had a chance to hold a snake. When we exited the park and found our group, we learned that there was a Masai Cultural Museum right next door that everyone already visited. We were told to run through for a quick look. The museum was interesting in that it was a mockup of an actual village with each section explaining different cultural traditions – from their home structure to their dress, tools and medical practices. It was very interesting but we felt rushed as the others in the caravan were waiting for us.

We hit the road again driving west towards the Serengeti. As we drove, many in the truck napped so I was glad to be seated near our driver, Godlove, and have the opportunity to ask questions as we progressed. We discussed the Masai tribe and I learned that they used to be nomads but most settle in one location now because their kids are required to attend school. Godlove also told me that it’s common for men in the tribe to have many wives in order to have many children that can help support their family through farming. But this practice is also less common now that school is expensive for the families and that they also must pay for medical attention. Godlove also explained that there are about 150 Masai tribes in Tanzania and that historically each one would speak a different language. But now all children must attend school which is taught in Swahili. Godlove, who is in my generation, can understand his tribe’s language but does not speak it. So it seems to me that the local languages are slowly dying. God love said the schools are also teaching basic English and students wanting jobs in business or tourism can learn it fluently.

We ascended the ridge taking us to the higher elevation of the Serengeti plains and stopped at a viewpoint overlooking Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara National Park is the only landscape in the area that stays green during the dry season and it’s due to natural springs. We stopped right down the road to eat our box lunches which contained a random collection of foods. It hit the spot. On the road again, we continued around rolling hills with fields of flowers and wheat.

The caravan entered Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Godlove explained that the area is inhabited by both wildlife and by Masai Tribes. Right after we drove through the gates, we stopped at another viewpoint – the Ngorongoro Crater. We were at the ridge of the crater looking in where we could see lakes and herds of animals below. The itinerary brings us to the crater on our last day of the excursion and seeing this view made us all very excited for that day.

The drive took us along the ridge of the crater then into the plains below and we wound our way to the Serengeti. Along the drive, we could see Masai villages in the distance as well as villagers herding cattle next to the road. The Masai are the only people we’ve seen in Africa that do not wear modern clothing. It really makes you feel like you’re witnessing a traditional way of life.

At the entrance to the Serengeti National Park, the caravan again stopped while our drivers completed paperwork. Will and I walked to the entrance sign for a picture when a Masai mother approached us. She wanted to know of we wanted to purchase some jewelry to which we politely said no. Then she asked about a picture. At first, I did not understand what she was asking but realized as she was gathering others from her tribe that she was offering to pose for a picture. Not waiting to miss a moment, I took one, said thanks and headed back to the truck. That’s when she started asking for money. Godlove stepped in and explained that they needed to negotiate cost first. Back at the truck, we learned that everyone was encouraged to take photos that they didn’t realize would have a price tag.

We drove along the main road through the Serengeti towards our campsite for the night. With only a couple hours before sunset, we couldn’t venture much off the main road, but we were still able to stop for animal sightings. We saw zebras, thompson’s gazelles, jackals, ostriches, vultures and a serval. At one point, our driver made a turn off the main road and we were all on high alert. As we approached a rock formation, we saw a beautiful lioness basking in the sun. I asked Godlove about the rest of the pride and he said “let’s go find them”! We drive down the road to another rock formation were we could see about ten lions relaxing the day away. They were mostly female but there were a few young males in the group. We were all so excited to see so many lions. Every move they made got our adrenaline racing. We finished off the exciting day by watching the sun set over the plains while elephants grazed in the distance.

Gem squash

Farms along drive near Mombo

View of Mt Kilimanjaro

Green Mamba

Black Mamba

Masai Tribe clothing

Central African Rock Python

Masai Village tools

Donkey crossing

Sam and Erin at Lake Manyara viewpoint

Fields of flowers along drive

Box lunch

Ngorongoro Crater

Masai villagers with donkeys

View on drive between crater and Serengeti with Masai Village below

Serengeti gate selfie

Ostriches and thompson's gazelles

Road to Serengeti

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