Africa Pt. 3: Safari

This next installment picks up where the last one left off and covers our amazing safari to Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater. We arrived in Moshi, Tanzania, and after spending the night at the Haria Hotel, we were picked up early in the morning by our driver Julius from DotCom Safaris (a company we would totally recommend to anybody traveling to Tanzania). There are all kinds of levels of safaris, from exclusive game hunting reserves to more budget oriented tours such as the one we did. The trip was arranged in advance by Gina and Luka, and the company took care of all the overnight lodging and food arrangements so basically all we had to do was sit back back and relax.

After a brief stop in Arusha to pick up some provisions, we hit the open road and headed for Lake Manyara. The roadside sights we pretty similar to the ride from Nairobi to Moshi; lots of small villages, farms, half-finished buildings and cattle. We also encountered a burning car that had just flipped over after hitting a pothole (the people inside were apparently okay). It had been overcast most of the drive, but as soon as we arrived at Lake Manyara it was suddenly sunny and warm. After a boxed lunch consisting of mostly different kinds of pastries, we headed into the park...

 

Monkeys and baboons were the first animals we saw in the park. We were very impressed with them at first but soon realized that they are pretty much everywhere in east Africa.

 

We got out of the vehicle at the hippo pool and we no more than 20 feet from these massive, and very dangerous animals. Shortly after I took this photo, this hippo got into a fight with another one and it was very impressive and scary to watch.

 

From left to right: Dave, a giraffe, Gina, Luka.

 

Wildebeasts and zebra

 

Pelicans

 

Warthog

 

Adorable, shy baby elephant who came to about ten feet from our vehicle.

 

They were literally standing like that for ten minutes.

 

Gina, Dave and Luka. Here we had driven up the rim of the Africa rift valley and Lake Manyara can be seen in the background.

 

We were expecting to be pitching our own tents and cooking hot dogs on a stick over a fire, but were pleasantly surprised to find our accommodations were at a permanent tent camp and were very comfortable. There were hot showers and an on-site chef who cooked delicious dinners and breakfasts for us.

 

Day two of the safari. Dave, Luka and Gina at the entrance to Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

 

Looking down the from the rim of the crater. This is one of the most impressive sights I have ever seen.

 

A young hyena.

 

Wildebeasts making their way across the crater floor as part of their great spring migration.

 

Up close and personal.

 

This lion had been shading himself in the shade of our vehicle until we pulled away.

 

A very very rare black rhino

 

Hyena and buffalo, clouds pouring over the crater rim

 

Our view at the end of day two from our tent camp. The site was on the side of a valley and had easily one of the most sublime views I have seen in my life. For me, this photo captures the beauty, tranquility and vibrancy of the landscape.