Quest for Beer – Africa (Tanzania)

It wasn’t long before we started seeing animals (and lots of them). These were the only cheetahs we saw on the entire safari (they weren’t moving too fast).

Meanwhile, over here we have a lion chowing down on a zebra.

There weren’t too many dull moments riding in the landrovers. Check out Francesca’s and Marisa’s photos. There was something to see around every corner, and with having to watch out for thorny branches and big ruts in the road, you were always on your toes. Lots of sunscreen, layers of dust, sunglasses, a shady hat, and a wet bandana kept things tolerable (being the lead landrover was always best). Riding shotgun was also a less dusty seat and the smoothest ride, however, the heat from the engine and sitting two feet lower than everyone else made for a hot and isolated ride. Although I did have some interesting conversations with the drivers whenever I could, sometimes the lack of a common language put a limit on what you could talk about. It was all fun, everyone switched seats and rotated landrovers, so you were never with the exact same group of people twice and always in different seats. There were basically 3 different seating positions: shotgun (as I mentioned above), middle (higher than shotgun, but lower than back). The middle seats were probably the most comfortable because there were only two with a wide space between them. The back seat had the best viewing as it rode the highest (which also made for easier hopping up onto the roof to sit). There were three seats across the back, so it was definitely cozy (especially when all three were standing up). It was also the bounciest spot. A few accidental kicks to the head and a shoulder block here and there, but nothing serious.

Ok, getting back to safari… here on the left we have two giraffes eating some thorny acacia shrubery.

As always, the giraffes were the most fascinating animals.

These strange looking birds are called Kori Bustards. This guy just ran down the road for a while before trying to fly off (these birds are Africa’s largest flying bird).

We saw a lot of elephants in this area. This family had a wide range of young ones.

This elephant was close!

A little farther up the road, we saw our first male lion.

The stork tree. These birds were kind of scary looking. The Marabou Stork.

Now here on the left, we have lions feasting on a waterbuffalo. We saw a few scenes like this, but never an actual live kill. We also saw a little gazelle carcass hanging about 30 feet up in a tree (I don’t have a photo of that, but I bet someone does – I’ll try to track one down).

I just realized why these things were so creepy. Don’t they look like something out of bugs bunny and the little green martian? or am I just imagining things?

We were all very hot, hungry, and tired, so we headed back towards the campground. A side trip to the hippo pool along the way was a nice stop.

Lots of bacon on one of these things (mmmmm, bacon).

After a beautiful sunset (so beautiful, I forgot to ask the driver to stop for a photo until it was too late).

Once back to camp we grabbed our tents (this was another free for all activity every day), did what washing up you had energy for and then enjoyed a great meal – I think this was the shishkabob night. Brian and Alexa had speakers for their ipod, Nickson got some warm beer from the closest lodge, myself and others scavanged for firewood, apparently in the wrong direction, because the camp security guard (a Masai dude carrying a primitive bow and arrow and wearing a trench coat) came back with a very nice log that lasted most of the night. The party continued until about midnight with dancing, music, beer, wine, and a trench coat wearing Masai dude carrying a bow and arrow. Strange, but fun, and it got stranger.

Brad, Dillon, Madhu, Megan, Alexa, Brian, Soyan, Jonathan, Cindy, Sean, Marisa, Tracy, Mary, and Donovan

More safari to come….

Thanks for reading!

Tags: elephants, Serengeti, The Safari, Travel

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