Finally! My Trip Report Begins...Tanzania, March
Jun 17th, 2006, 04:04 PM
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Once we enter the Serengeti I ask Willie if we will get a chance to see the migration. As much as I have read about it I wondered, how fascinating can a bunch of wildebeest really be? Willie tells us we may see some of it en route to our lodge, and indeed we do see lots of wildebeest, but nothing compared to what we would experience tomorrow. We arrive at our lodge around 5, take nice long, hot showers, step out on our balcony overlooking a very peaceable kingdom, feeling relaxed and refreshed. We send our dirty laundry out and are excited at the thought of clean, fresh clothes! After dinner (buffet) we retire early for some much needed rest. Just a bit about the food….it was like Thanksgiving dinner every evening. What these people can do in camp over an open fire is incredible. The food was delicious and abundant!
The following morning I was happy to awake feeling revitalized and ready for more. Clean clothes, clean hair, lets go! We are heading for our final camp today , Willie tells us we will be pleasantly surprised, but offers no further hints. Our drive begins and once again we begin to see wildebeest, then more wildebeest and then suddenly we find ourselves in a sea of wildebeest. Willie turns the car off, we stand, and cannot believe what our eyes are seeing, our mouths are hanging open. The landscape is completely flat, you can see for miles in every direction, there isn’t another human being or vehicle in sight, but there are wildebeest everywhere, in every direction, as far as your eyes can see. I fell in love with these creatures, loved their calls, loved seeing the babies! How insignificant we felt, again, Africa did not disappoint. I have goosebumps running up and down my body just writing about this.. Obviously, life changing! We sit in silence for quite awhile, surrounded by these creatures, it is heavenly! I can’t remember every experiencing peace such as this. Finally we push on and just a bit further down the road we are once again surrounded, this time by Zebra. What a beautiful sight to behold.
We arrive in camp around 1:30 and are surprised to see very different looking tents, almost like something out of Arabia. We have sinks, with running water and lights! The tents are spacious and beautifully adorned. We meet our staff and once again I can’t get over the graciousness and ability to put people at ease these people have. With few exceptions most all of the African people we encountered spoke quietly, respectfully and had such a peacefulness about them. I am a well mannered person, yet all along felt I was lacking something in greetings. I finally got it…..sure, when we see somebody we know we say “hello, how are you”, but how about when you run in to the cleaners to pick up your laundry, don’t you just say “I’m here to pick up my shirts”…hope you are following me here. What they were doing differently was prefacing each meeting with a jambo, hello, welcome back, etc. I later learned from Willie that they find it rude just to walk up and start talking, that a greeting, or welcoming is always given before conversation begins. Sometimes its just the small things in life that make a difference. This one I carried home with me. Now, back to camp… the tents were impressive indeed, but you know what, we both agreed to liking our first camp the best. We rest, relax and listen to thunderstorms roll in. Around 4:30 we head out for a game drive. We have seen many lion along the way and one very distant cheetah, so our hopes are high for cats! It was almost as if we placed our order and a leopard was delivered. The leopard was in one tree and then we spot his kill in another. After about 15 minutes he decides to head back for dinner. We never saw an actual kill and I wasn’t really sure I wanted to, but watching this leopard eat was fascinating. I’m running out of adjectives here. Had Willie not said it was time to go, I think I would still be there watching that leopard. Just before falling asleep I thought I heard some lions calling each other, when I awoke my suspicions were confirmed others heard them as well. This was to be our last game viewing day and I remember standing up in the vehicle while thundering along the rutted roads and being so appreciative of all we had experienced. Willie knew we wanted to see a cheetah, so off in search we went. We drove for almost 3 hours with not a beast in sight! This may sounds boring, but not so…just driving along and soaking up the beautiful vastness was enough. I remember seeing my first kopje and immediately thinking….That’s where The Lion King begins!!! I was just about to resign myself to no cheetah, when what do we come upon but a cheetah stalking a reedbuck in the grass. After much lurking and stalking the cat finally makes a short lived attempt at a kill and then walks over to a fallen tree, steps up and begins to pose for the camera. That cheetah would sit in one position for several moments, stand for another few, and then turn as if letting us see all his good sides. It was great….I bet I have 75 pictures of that cheetah. After finally saying goodbye to the cheetah another leopard up a tree is spotted, so off we go for a look. Marvelous! Time to head back to our last night in camp. Dinner was spent in great conversation, and like I mentioned earlier we had Willie laughing into his napkin. Willie became so dear to us and I began to realize just how difficult goodbye was going to be.
The following morning I was happy to awake feeling revitalized and ready for more. Clean clothes, clean hair, lets go! We are heading for our final camp today , Willie tells us we will be pleasantly surprised, but offers no further hints. Our drive begins and once again we begin to see wildebeest, then more wildebeest and then suddenly we find ourselves in a sea of wildebeest. Willie turns the car off, we stand, and cannot believe what our eyes are seeing, our mouths are hanging open. The landscape is completely flat, you can see for miles in every direction, there isn’t another human being or vehicle in sight, but there are wildebeest everywhere, in every direction, as far as your eyes can see. I fell in love with these creatures, loved their calls, loved seeing the babies! How insignificant we felt, again, Africa did not disappoint. I have goosebumps running up and down my body just writing about this.. Obviously, life changing! We sit in silence for quite awhile, surrounded by these creatures, it is heavenly! I can’t remember every experiencing peace such as this. Finally we push on and just a bit further down the road we are once again surrounded, this time by Zebra. What a beautiful sight to behold.
We arrive in camp around 1:30 and are surprised to see very different looking tents, almost like something out of Arabia. We have sinks, with running water and lights! The tents are spacious and beautifully adorned. We meet our staff and once again I can’t get over the graciousness and ability to put people at ease these people have. With few exceptions most all of the African people we encountered spoke quietly, respectfully and had such a peacefulness about them. I am a well mannered person, yet all along felt I was lacking something in greetings. I finally got it…..sure, when we see somebody we know we say “hello, how are you”, but how about when you run in to the cleaners to pick up your laundry, don’t you just say “I’m here to pick up my shirts”…hope you are following me here. What they were doing differently was prefacing each meeting with a jambo, hello, welcome back, etc. I later learned from Willie that they find it rude just to walk up and start talking, that a greeting, or welcoming is always given before conversation begins. Sometimes its just the small things in life that make a difference. This one I carried home with me. Now, back to camp… the tents were impressive indeed, but you know what, we both agreed to liking our first camp the best. We rest, relax and listen to thunderstorms roll in. Around 4:30 we head out for a game drive. We have seen many lion along the way and one very distant cheetah, so our hopes are high for cats! It was almost as if we placed our order and a leopard was delivered. The leopard was in one tree and then we spot his kill in another. After about 15 minutes he decides to head back for dinner. We never saw an actual kill and I wasn’t really sure I wanted to, but watching this leopard eat was fascinating. I’m running out of adjectives here. Had Willie not said it was time to go, I think I would still be there watching that leopard. Just before falling asleep I thought I heard some lions calling each other, when I awoke my suspicions were confirmed others heard them as well. This was to be our last game viewing day and I remember standing up in the vehicle while thundering along the rutted roads and being so appreciative of all we had experienced. Willie knew we wanted to see a cheetah, so off in search we went. We drove for almost 3 hours with not a beast in sight! This may sounds boring, but not so…just driving along and soaking up the beautiful vastness was enough. I remember seeing my first kopje and immediately thinking….That’s where The Lion King begins!!! I was just about to resign myself to no cheetah, when what do we come upon but a cheetah stalking a reedbuck in the grass. After much lurking and stalking the cat finally makes a short lived attempt at a kill and then walks over to a fallen tree, steps up and begins to pose for the camera. That cheetah would sit in one position for several moments, stand for another few, and then turn as if letting us see all his good sides. It was great….I bet I have 75 pictures of that cheetah. After finally saying goodbye to the cheetah another leopard up a tree is spotted, so off we go for a look. Marvelous! Time to head back to our last night in camp. Dinner was spent in great conversation, and like I mentioned earlier we had Willie laughing into his napkin. Willie became so dear to us and I began to realize just how difficult goodbye was going to be.
Jun 18th, 2006, 06:21 AM
#25
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It is Tuesday, March 28, the day we are to leave this glorious place and we awaken with heavy hearts, yet anxious to get underway for the long trip home. We head to the airstrip around 7:45 (just about 1.5 miles away). Just outside of camp we come upon a pride of 8 gorgeous lions, what a perfect farewell. We arrive at the airstrip and I am trying desperately to “keep it together” and think I have a fairly good grasp on myself. I am expecting a hand shake from Willie, but when he turn to me to say goodbye he grabs in up in a huge bear hug and that’s all it took, I found myself in a puddle of tears. I tell him thankyou for making my dreams come true and that I will remember him always. AUGH! Once the engine starts and we begin to roll down the runway I search the field, and there is Willie fanning the air with a huge double handed wave goodbye. Goodbye Willie! Our flight back to Arusha was breathtaking, we flew over Maasai villages, a volcano and could see Mt. Kilimanjaro, what a sight to behold.
We are met at the airstrip by another guide to takes to the the Mt. Meru Hotel to await our evening flight. Once at the hotel, we send some emails home and as sad as I am to be leaving I am really looking forward to seeing my family. It is a long day at the Mt. Meru, we have lunch and head for yet another gift shop. There are two women behind the counter, my sister finds a beautiful ebony tea set, but is worried about how to get it home. I convince her we can do a bit of repacking and fit it in. We begin talking to these woman and spend quite a bit of time in wonderful conversation with them. Again, the feeling of such vastly different lives, yet truly we are just 4 women enjoying exchanges with one another. After the tea set is packed and ready to go, the women take out two cloth pictures of African women and push them across the desk toward us. We tell them no, thankyou, we just can’t purchase anything else. Again, they push them toward us. Remember, there is a language barrier going on here. Finally we understand these pictures are to be gifts to us, from them! Well, more tears!. I came home with many wonderful items to adorn my walls, yet this is to be my favorite of treasures. Silly as it may sound my other favorite treasure is a bar of soap, yes, a bar of soap. It sits by on my bedside table, often, before bed I pick it up, take a wiff and I am back in Africa!
We are escorted to Kili airport around 6, meet up with the family we have been traveling with, say our goodbyes and begin the walk to the airplane. I remember each and every step, knowing all the while I am one step closer to having to take my feet off the ground of this wonderful country. The last step was a hard one and we roll down the runway with heavy hearts. Luck is with us again, we are able to stretch out and sleep. We have a full day in Amsterdam and decide to hop on a tourbus. I am glad we did it, can’t imagine sitting in the airport all day, but man I was exhausted! Once on our flight back to Boston we realize it will be a full flight, we have been spoiled and are now unable to find sleep. My sister and I decided to look at the movie selection and what do we find but….The Lion King. So, there we sit, two grown women watching The Lion King with tears pouring down our cheeks! We part in Boston, our Sister’s Safari has come to an end.
This was a trip of dreams, I will carry Africa with me every day, yet a piece of me was left behind as well. Thompson’s did not disappoint, Africa did not disappoint. How fortunate I am to have such wonderful memories to reflect back on.
Thankyou for sticking with me, I had no idea I could be so long-winded. Now, it has been said before, but I will say it again, keep those trip reports coming, so I can relive my dreams through you .
Teri
We are met at the airstrip by another guide to takes to the the Mt. Meru Hotel to await our evening flight. Once at the hotel, we send some emails home and as sad as I am to be leaving I am really looking forward to seeing my family. It is a long day at the Mt. Meru, we have lunch and head for yet another gift shop. There are two women behind the counter, my sister finds a beautiful ebony tea set, but is worried about how to get it home. I convince her we can do a bit of repacking and fit it in. We begin talking to these woman and spend quite a bit of time in wonderful conversation with them. Again, the feeling of such vastly different lives, yet truly we are just 4 women enjoying exchanges with one another. After the tea set is packed and ready to go, the women take out two cloth pictures of African women and push them across the desk toward us. We tell them no, thankyou, we just can’t purchase anything else. Again, they push them toward us. Remember, there is a language barrier going on here. Finally we understand these pictures are to be gifts to us, from them! Well, more tears!. I came home with many wonderful items to adorn my walls, yet this is to be my favorite of treasures. Silly as it may sound my other favorite treasure is a bar of soap, yes, a bar of soap. It sits by on my bedside table, often, before bed I pick it up, take a wiff and I am back in Africa!
We are escorted to Kili airport around 6, meet up with the family we have been traveling with, say our goodbyes and begin the walk to the airplane. I remember each and every step, knowing all the while I am one step closer to having to take my feet off the ground of this wonderful country. The last step was a hard one and we roll down the runway with heavy hearts. Luck is with us again, we are able to stretch out and sleep. We have a full day in Amsterdam and decide to hop on a tourbus. I am glad we did it, can’t imagine sitting in the airport all day, but man I was exhausted! Once on our flight back to Boston we realize it will be a full flight, we have been spoiled and are now unable to find sleep. My sister and I decided to look at the movie selection and what do we find but….The Lion King. So, there we sit, two grown women watching The Lion King with tears pouring down our cheeks! We part in Boston, our Sister’s Safari has come to an end.
This was a trip of dreams, I will carry Africa with me every day, yet a piece of me was left behind as well. Thompson’s did not disappoint, Africa did not disappoint. How fortunate I am to have such wonderful memories to reflect back on.
Thankyou for sticking with me, I had no idea I could be so long-winded. Now, it has been said before, but I will say it again, keep those trip reports coming, so I can relive my dreams through you .
Teri
Jun 18th, 2006, 06:42 AM
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My trip report was not one filled with valuable information for future travlers, so want to pass along just a few tidbits of info...
Zip-off pants are fabulous, I took 2, wish I had 3. Never wore my Tilley hat, I found it hard to sit back in the seat with it on, I just used a plain old ball-cap. Ladies, hair and make-up will not matter, just stay away from mirrors. I took enough over the counter meds to sustain an army, never needed a thing. I was chilly more often than hot. I never saw a tse-tse fly and there are more mosquitos in my back yard than in Africa! Deet came in handy for the flies, but again, no problem w/mosquitos. Sani-wipes are great, I took many and we used them all. Journal every night, even if is is just a few words to jog your memory. I took close to 800 pictures, had two 1 GB memory cards, downloaded to a Wolverine each night. I brought 3 sets of rechargable batteries, and recharged every day in the vehicle.Remember to step away from the lens from time to time and just soak in the sights! I originally was going to take $1,000 in cash, but cut back to $850 once I saw what a wad it was...wish I had taken the extra cash. I traveled with my AMEX for emergencies only..nobody took Amex, but it is probably a good thing I didn't have my Visa...my children might not be going to college if I did. I kept my cash in a waist belt, inside my pants and also wore a fanny pack. My waistline was atrocious...again, stay away from mirrors. I didn't think I would be interested in African art, but oh, that bug bit me early. Before I left, my oldest daughter said "Mom, don't be brining home any African masks" and I assured her I wouldn't. Of course, that is the first thing I bought. Maasai Spears look wonderful mounted over doorways!
I did not take anything in the least bit dressy, but for those of you doing more lodges than camps, you might want to throw in something a bit more festive than khaki. It is amazing what a bandana tied around your neck can do for a girl wanting to dress it up a bit.
The greatest advice I can give is to just sit back, relax,be flexible, enjoy and savor each and every moment, sight, smell, sound and adventure that awaits you!
Zip-off pants are fabulous, I took 2, wish I had 3. Never wore my Tilley hat, I found it hard to sit back in the seat with it on, I just used a plain old ball-cap. Ladies, hair and make-up will not matter, just stay away from mirrors. I took enough over the counter meds to sustain an army, never needed a thing. I was chilly more often than hot. I never saw a tse-tse fly and there are more mosquitos in my back yard than in Africa! Deet came in handy for the flies, but again, no problem w/mosquitos. Sani-wipes are great, I took many and we used them all. Journal every night, even if is is just a few words to jog your memory. I took close to 800 pictures, had two 1 GB memory cards, downloaded to a Wolverine each night. I brought 3 sets of rechargable batteries, and recharged every day in the vehicle.Remember to step away from the lens from time to time and just soak in the sights! I originally was going to take $1,000 in cash, but cut back to $850 once I saw what a wad it was...wish I had taken the extra cash. I traveled with my AMEX for emergencies only..nobody took Amex, but it is probably a good thing I didn't have my Visa...my children might not be going to college if I did. I kept my cash in a waist belt, inside my pants and also wore a fanny pack. My waistline was atrocious...again, stay away from mirrors. I didn't think I would be interested in African art, but oh, that bug bit me early. Before I left, my oldest daughter said "Mom, don't be brining home any African masks" and I assured her I wouldn't. Of course, that is the first thing I bought. Maasai Spears look wonderful mounted over doorways!
I did not take anything in the least bit dressy, but for those of you doing more lodges than camps, you might want to throw in something a bit more festive than khaki. It is amazing what a bandana tied around your neck can do for a girl wanting to dress it up a bit.
The greatest advice I can give is to just sit back, relax,be flexible, enjoy and savor each and every moment, sight, smell, sound and adventure that awaits you!
Jun 18th, 2006, 06:44 AM
#28
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You have written a beautiful report and described why travel to Africa is life changing.
I'm glad your unfortunate 24 hour delay did not drastically disrupt your travels.
My first destination was Tarangire also so I could really relate to your impressions.
You and your sister will have lots to reminisce about for years to come.
Thanks for the in depth report.
I'm glad your unfortunate 24 hour delay did not drastically disrupt your travels.
My first destination was Tarangire also so I could really relate to your impressions.
You and your sister will have lots to reminisce about for years to come.
Thanks for the in depth report.
Jun 18th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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Oh, I almost forgot...THANKYOU all SO much for your kind words. Orignially I thought writing this report would be to painful, yet it has been just the opposite. I have had so much fun sharing my story with you guys...the people that "get it." Thanks everybody!
Jun 18th, 2006, 07:48 AM
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I've held off saying anything till now so to allow the report to be completed: thankyou for taking the time out to write it. You know that obviously having just returned experiences are still vivid within your mind - I was in the Serengeti in Jan 2005 and let me assure you those experiences are just as vivid this far down the line.
So a heck of a lot of photos - look foward to seeing them ;-)
Matt
So a heck of a lot of photos - look foward to seeing them ;-)
Matt
Jun 18th, 2006, 09:06 AM
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This is the best trip report I have read...thank you so much for a front row seat to your adventure....so fun to read! We are leaving at the end of September for our very first safari, and reading your trip report makes me so anxious to go. I hope our trip is half as good! Thank you!
Jun 18th, 2006, 10:07 AM
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Marija,
I found the spears at the Cultural Center in Arusha, but feel certain they are available at most large shopping areas. They come apart into 3 pieces. They were wrapped heavily in brown paper and lay at the bottom of my duffle. I loved it when the US customs agent looked at me and said "Do you have SPEARS in there"?...Yep!
I found the spears at the Cultural Center in Arusha, but feel certain they are available at most large shopping areas. They come apart into 3 pieces. They were wrapped heavily in brown paper and lay at the bottom of my duffle. I loved it when the US customs agent looked at me and said "Do you have SPEARS in there"?...Yep!
Jun 18th, 2006, 10:35 AM
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I personally found the Cultural Center in Arusha (on Sokaine Road) very expensive to what we encountered later on in our travels: we went there on the first day in Arusha and bought various items which could have later been purchased much much cheaper. For really good Maasai artifacts there is a market place outside of Mto Wa Mbu which I've mentioned before where one can purchase everything from Shuka blankets for 5 dollars to the old tyre sandals to spears and bow and arrows: I actually traded a parker pen with a Moran for his staff which has been polished smooth by the passage of generations of herders (at least I hope) The real spears I saw certainly weren't able to be broken down. My advice with that centre is visit at the start, consider what you like and their prices, do your trip and see what can be bought locally then if no luck return on the last day. There is also a handicrafts market just down from the clock tower where again things are much cheaper and one has the possibility of "Polite" haggling.. Still, Marija hasn't mentioned her itinerary.
Matt
Matt
Jun 18th, 2006, 10:54 AM
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I agree completely Matt, I later learned the Cultural Center was not the place to shop,infact I felt sick once I saw the prices at other places. I don't remember seeing spears anywhere else we went, though.
Jun 18th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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Here's my itinerary, starting 9 September:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34802068
There's no time in Nairobi after the safari. We fly from the Serengeti to Nairobi and home the same day. We're also flying between all places, except Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. I'd like to buy a good ebony mask, since we collect masks, but I'm not at all sure how and when we can acquire one. And now I want a spear or two!
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34802068
There's no time in Nairobi after the safari. We fly from the Serengeti to Nairobi and home the same day. We're also flying between all places, except Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro. I'd like to buy a good ebony mask, since we collect masks, but I'm not at all sure how and when we can acquire one. And now I want a spear or two!
Jun 18th, 2006, 12:14 PM
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Countingdown, After much lurking on Fodor's and learning so much about what to prepare for and possibly expect on our upcoming Tanzanian safari, your post moved me to register and say "WOW!!" - You've put magical words and mental images to the adventure we're about to embark on... Knowing even 24 hr delays won't shadow the experience tells me we are off to a place that will match the long-time dreams we've had! Like you, traveling to Africa has been in my hopes for many years, always with the idea that I'd return many times. Your thoughts and comments assure me I'm just off for the great beginning of hopefully many journeys.
