| | Dec 11, 2005 - Tanzania Safaris - Ngororo Crater and the Serengeti | (click to enlarge)
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 | | show all 44 | | At the border town of Namanga - Kenya/Tanzania border | | Cory Bustard bird in mating ritual | | Ostrich crossing in Ngororo Crater | | |
| Tanzania - The wild side of Africa
On the vast plains of the Serengeti, thousands and thousands of zebras and wildebeests were grazing while on their annual migration from the Masai Mara. More lions lingered in the tall grasses than I every dreamed of seeing. The rare black rhino, a cory bustard bird puffed out and preened on display for mating, hippos wandering from the safety of their pond, a mating lion and lioness taking a break to share a feast of a freshly killed wildebeast who let his guard down just a moment too long - Tanzania, the wild side of Africa far exceeding any of our expectations!
Of course travelling for a year we are going to see and experience some absolutely incredible sights, however, I will be amazed if at the end of the year our time spent in Tanzania does not stand out as one of, if not the best, portion of our trip. Everything about our seven days in Tanzania mainland was outstanding. Our varied accommodations ranged from a coffee lodge and an active working farm to a permanent tented camps and some adventurous bush camping with the animals of the Serengeti. Each one provided us with a unique African experience different from the next. Andrew our safari driver and guide was an incredible wealth of knowledge complemented with a great personality and sense of humour, especially when it came to discussing Eric's animal spotting capabilities - or lack of them!
The animals of Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti were certainly not shy and provided us with virtually unlimited viewing opportunities, which were different around every bend of the dusty, dirt park roads. The remains of a gazelle's lean legs hanging in a tree, a victim to a feeding leopard, was a reminder that this was no zoo and the animals were killers and we were in the land where it was survival of the fittest.
Living in harmony with the wild were the local Masai tribes we had learned about while in Kenya. While in Tanzania we spent two nights at a camp run by the Masai giving us a great opportunity to get to know some Masai on a more personal level and further explore this interesting tribe and their traditions. It is hard to believe in our fast paced modern world that there is still a culture that measures their wealth not with money, but with cattle. A society where most men have multiple wives all purchased by using their cattle. It is great to see their traditions and culture still surviving in our modern world and learning about their ways certainly made for some intriguing fireside conversations and walks.
With a greater percentage of Tanzania being National Park than almost any other country in the world, it was a true African wildlife adventure that has created memories to last for a lifetime. For now we share our pictures with you knowing that one day I will return for more perhaps on a group trip with others from home looking to explore the vast African wild life.
Ten Travel Tips for Tanzania
1. Tanzania is one of the best places in Africa for game viewing but remember that what you see cannot be guaranteed and having patience almost always pays off in the end. That pride of lions lounging around may get up to hunt a zebra or wildebeast in 10 or 15 minutes giving you a sight you would not want to miss.
2. Animals are always on the move and often follow the water and rains. Book your accommodations carefully so you are situated in an area that is close to where the animals are at the time of year you are in Tanzania. Preferably you don't want to have to drive 2 or 3 hours each morning to reach your viewing areas.
3. Tanzania has a great range of accommodations for you to experience from 5 star lodges to bush camping. Some of the smaller lodges offer unique African experiences you won't get from the larger hotels and lodges.
4. The animals are wild and dangerous and untamed. Listen to what your guide says. Follow the rules and advice of the lodges you stay at. Remember this is wild Africa not a Disney ride for thrills where nothing could go wrong.
5. Respect the animals and parks - we are visitors in their home and they have all the rights.
6. Don't encourage your guide to drive off road or go too close to the animals where they will be uncomfortable, scared off, or potentially charge your vehicle. Guides will sometimes break park rules to try to please their guests and earn bigger tips.
7. Be ready for long days in a vehicle when on safari and if it is the dry season, dirty dusty roads. Remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat as long days in an open top vehicle can be just like spending a full day on the beach.
8. Different game parks can offer you very different game viewing experiences. Some parks have larger concentrations of certain animals than others. Plan a safari that visits 2 or 3 parks to get a variety of experiences in your trip.
9. The time of year you travel is so important to what game you will see. Plan when and where you go very carefully so you are not disappointed in your safari experience. Remember that nobody can control the animals and weather though so there is always some chance things won't work out a planned or expected.
10. Typically you see more game in dry seasons when the animals come to waterholes to drink. However, in the Serengeti many of the animals follow the great migration from the Masai Mara in Kenya each year and move to follow the rain. If the Serengeti is dry, there will be fewer animals.
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