Our last day on safari we drove to the Seronera airstrip that is located in the middle of the Serengeti National Park. The airstrip and flight was quite unique and interesting. Our waiting area was under a canvas tent on the side of the airstrip.
Shelley under the tent waiting for our flight.Ray and Shelley under the tent waiting for the flight to arrive
We sat under the tent and watched the airplanes landing and taking off on the dirt airstrip while we waited for our flight.
One of the aircraft on the dirt runway
We climbed aboard the plane and settled into our seats for the 2 hour flight out of the Serengeti. The plane was well used and the seatbelts had some wear and tear.
Ray and Shelley in the plane leaving the SerengetiShelley’s seatbelt which was a little worn.
The plane was small and had very little extra space.
We took off and about an hour into the flight we flew over the Ngorongoro Crater. We could see this amazing place from our window.
A view of the Ngorongoro Crater from our plane
After a few hours we landed in Karatu a town just outside of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. From here a driver took us to Arusha for our last night in Tanzania. We stayed at the Gran Malia Hotel in Arusha which was an amazing hotel.
Gran Melia Arusha Tanzania
The hotel was truly eco and bio focused and felt like an oasis. The Gran Melia is on 18 acres of beautiful landscaped coffee plantation and garden.
Shelley and Ray in the garden area of the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha
They grow their own food and most of the decorations in the hotel were made locally with recycled materials. This has provided support for the local charities and community.
Paths and bridges in the Melia 18 acres hotelArt looking bench along the path in Gran Melia Hotel Arusha
They have a walking path throughout the 18 acres which also contain many different vegetables and fruit trees. We took a walk along the path and came across a gardener that was so proud and took us for a tour.
Coffee plantation in the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha
We went through the coffee plantation and saw them drying and roasting the coffee beans.
Coffee Beans being dried on large racksBanana trees that produce the bananas for the hotelDifferent herbs and vegetables in the Hotel gardens
The Hotel also uses the entire roof system of the hotel for growing vegetables and herbs.
View of the roof with gardens in Gran Melia Hotel
After exploring the gardens paths of the hotel, there was a path that led us to the Shanga & Shanga Foundation. This is a social enterprise, which employs people with disabilities to create unique and high-quality handmade jewelry, glassware and homewares incorporating recycled materials. The hotel works in concert with them and has bought many of their materials and art pieces to decorate the Hotel.
Lion Head made by Shanga facility using recycled materialsView of the interior of the Hotel with decorations from the Shanga facility
We were greeted at the entrance and given a tour of the Shanga facility.
Shanga entrance to facility making recycled art
The workers were so proud to show us their skills and what they were working on.
One of the 38 workers working at the Shanga recycling material into weaving material.
A worker showing how to make a glass ornament using recycled glass.Recycled material made into Christmas ornaments.
After touring the Shanga facility and buying a few items we went to the hotel terrance. We ordered a drink to celebrate our safari adventure and enjoy the last views of Tanzania before heading back.
African wine on the terrace of the Gran Melia Hotel with view of Mount Meru in the background.Shelley and Ray on the terrace
From the terrace we could see the beautiful view along with Mount Meru.
View of the Mount Meru from the terrace of the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha.
The next morning we packed our gear and prepared for the long flight home.
Shelley and Ray waiting for the ride to the airport to head home.
We arrived at the airport and waited for our flight. Ray taking one last picture before boarding our flight and heading home.
Our plane with Ray in the reflection of the glass.
This was a trip of a life time and one that we will remember for years.
“Kumbuka na kufurahia wakati wako wote wa furaha.”
We noticed a tree in Tanzania that was quite different. It had a large looking fruit which hung from the branches.
Shelley our Guide Omare and Ray
We asked our guide Omare about the tree and he stated “oh that is a sausage tree” Really? He explained that the tree is quite common and has a large fruit that looks like a sausage hence the name Sausage tree.
A “Sausage tree” in Tanzania
The actual name of the tree is Kigelia africana known locally as the sausage tree. When we were driving through the Serengeti we would come across these trees. We had our guide Omare stop and we were able to take a closer look at this “Sausage tree”
Kigelia africana, known as the sausage treeThe fruit of the tree which looks like a giant sausage casing
The “sausage” fruit on the tree is quite big and it can grow up to 60 cm (2 feet) long and weighs 7 to 10 kg (15 – 22 pounds). They definitely look like the casing of a huge sausage. It hangs down on long rope-like stalk and the fruit pulp is fibrous, containing many seeds.
The fresh fruit sausage is poisonous to humans but some large animals like elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses and monkeys eat them. However when the fruit is dried it is used several different ways. The skin which is a hard shell of the fruit is hollowed out, cleaned, and made into containers. In parts of Kenya the fruit is dried and used to make an alcoholic beverage known as Muratina. This drink is used during cultural events in central Kenya.
This is just one of the many unique and interesting things we saw during our time in Tanzania.
Day four of our safari began with another incredible adventure. We bought tickets to a hot air balloon ride with a company called Miracle Experience. It was an amazing adventure that started our day very early with a pick up at 4:30 am at our tent. It was still dark outside and we could hear lions in the distances. The driver then drove us to the launching area of the hot air balloon ride. Along the trail not very far from our camp in fact, we came across lions laying down in the middle of the trail. We had to stop and wait for them to slowly move out of our way.
Lions laying on the road along the way to the balloon launch area.
We arrived at the launch area and we were able to watch the crew set up the balloon for the launch. It was quite interesting to see how they work together to do it.
Balloon crew preparing the balloon for take off. They use a large fan to fill the balloon with air then add hot air to raise it up.
Our Pilot was Captain Rosa Parera a Spanish women who also flew hot air balloons in Calgary, Alberta for several years. She was very energetic with a pleasant personality and full of passion for the job. She explained to us how the basket worked and how we would enter it. She did an overall briefing explaining the landing process and other facts about the balloon.
Captain Rosa explaining the balloon and how we were to enter into it.
The basket holds sixteen passengers and the pilot. As the balloon was almost ready to raise up we entered the balloon and took our positions for takeoff.
Our positions in the balloon for takeoff and landing.
The Balloon was filled with hot air and we were airborne and gently drifted upwards with only the sounds of the basket creaking and the roar of the flame when needed to raise us up higher.
Our group in the balloon as we drifted across the Serengeti.The view of the balloon as we drifted through the air of the Serengeti
We could see the sun rising on the horizon as we quietly floated upwards and gained a larger view of just how magnificent the Serengeti truly is. The pictures do not give justice to the amazing views and sensations of floating slowly and quietly over the landscape of the Serengeti.
At one point Captain Rosa took us up to around 300 meters or 1000 feet to give us a 360 degree view of the Serengeti landscape.
After our spectacular 360º view Rosa provided us with a cup of coffee or tea. We relaxed enjoying a cup as we drifted quietly overhead of the different animals below.
Ray and Shelley enjoying the coffee and views.Ray with his cup of coffee floating over the Serengeti.
We drifted over a pride of lions which were watching us in curiosity.
Pride of lions looking up at us as we drift overhead.
After an hour in the air we slowly drifted downwards until we landed in a flat clear area in the Serengeti. The landing was very smooth and the basket softly flipped onto the side as intended.
Once we landed the support crew arrived a few minutes later. We celebrated the landing with our Captain by having a toast with champaign.
After everyone had champaign, we headed back to the camp area for a full english style breakfast. We arrived and were greeted with a welcome song and dance by the staff.
It was a very warming gesture and the custom here. It made us smile and feel welcomed. The food was amazing and everything was done perfectly. We even had a local visitor, a small monkey come to checkout all the fuss.
A small monkey walking through the tent area at our breakfast.
They presented everyone with a certificate of the flight. The breakfast lasted about an hour and everyone was able to chat and talk about their experience. There were people who were celebrating special occasions in the group. Miracle Experience even had several cakes made for them. It was so well organized and planned out.
When the breakfast was done and we were heading out we got a picture with our pilot, Captain Rosa Parera
Shelley, Captain Rosa and Ray
It was such a spectacular adventure and something that we will cherish and remember for years to come.
Our driver picked us up after our breakfast feast and we did a safari drive. We were fairly close to the Serengeti Visitor Centre, so we stopped there to check it out.
Serengeti was the inspiration for Disney’s “Lion King” feature film. There is one scene where the baby lion is held up on a large rock.
Image from the Lion King Movie
The rock represented in the movie is believed to be the rock at the Serengeti Visitor centre.
Shelley in front of the rock portrait in the Lion King movie.
It was another fabulous day with amazing experiences.
Day three of our Safari was our first full day in the Serengeti which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was selected because of its important ecosystem, the dense population of animals and the annual Great Migration.
View of the Serengeti and a giraffe in the distance.
Our day started early and we left camp at 7a.m. We began to explore the south central Serengeti eventually we would arrive at a different camp for the night. We drove along the Nyabogati River which provides lush brush and drinking water for many animals.
Shelley and Ray standing in the jeep with the pop up roof.
Our jeep has a pop up roof which gave us perfect unimpeded 360º view. It felt like we were standing outside near the animals.
Nyabogati River in central Serengeti
As we drove along the river we came across quite a few hippopotamus. They are one of only two species in the Hippo family, the other is the pygmy hippopotamus. The name hippopotamus comes from the ancient Greek for “river horse”.
Hippopotamus in the river, avoiding the sun on their skin.Another group of hippopotamus a little further down the river.
The hippos were quite boring to watch in the water. They simply stayed in the water as much as they could. However it was interesting to learn that the body of the Hippo is so dense that they can walk underwater. They can also hold their breath for up to five minutes. Hippos lose water rapidly through the skin and become dehydrated quickly. They must retreat in the water in order to hydrate and to keep cool, because they don’t sweat. They have an oil that releases from glands that serve as sunscreen.
We left the river area and went more into the grasslands of Serengeti. It was not long until we came across some giraffes.
Giraffe eating at a “Sausage tree”
Our guide informed us that giraffes are the tallest of all land animals. That the Male giraffe can grow to a height of 5.5 metres (18 feet). Their tongues are are very long and they use them to browse foliage high above the ground.
We saw some elephants who were just walking along slowly enjoying the day. They decided to stop and have a drink in a puddle of water near our jeep.
A Herd of Elephants drinking water from a puddle of water.We got a little closer and watched them drink. It was quite interesting and entertaining as well.
We then drove on and encountered some lions. They were relaxing in the shade of a large tree. At first we could only see one lion but as we moved the jeep we saw the second one relaxing.
Lion enjoying the shade of a treeSecond lion on the other side of the tree
We saw a leopard laying in the shade with her cubs. Although we were fairly close to them, they did not seem to take any notice of us.
After a short drive we came across a cheetah laying in a tree. It was enjoying the shade and watching the area below.
Cheetah laying on a tree branch.Cheetah in a tree looking down over the area.Cheetah on rock looking over Serengeti flatlands
During the day we saw many zebras, giraffes and other animals all living in their natural habitat. We even saw some white-back vultures that were circling in the sky.
A white-back Vulture on a tree branch
It was getting late in the day and there were ominous clouds on the horizon. Our guide wanted to get us to the next camp before the rain started. So we headed to Sound of Silence. It is an eco friendly safari tented resort in the heart of Serengeti. We arrived at the new camp just as the sky opened up and torrential rains fell.
We stayed in the common area and had our dinner while the rain poured. The meal was tasty and good.
Meat and veggies with a gravy sauce
After the meal and the rain stopped we watched the sun set before heading to our tent for the night.
Sunset on the Serengeti.
It was another great day and we were happy to have seen cheetahs and leopards today. We were looking forward to our next adventure tomorrow which starts extra early. We are set to get up at 4 a.m.
Day two of our safari adventures began early and we were on the road at 7 a.m. The drive took us an hour or so to reach the entrance of the Ngorongoro Conservation area.
From here we could see the Ngorongoro crater however the fog made it slightly hard to see its full magnificences.
Shelley and Ray at the top of the Ngorongoro Crater.
The Crater felt somewhat reminiscent of The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We began our descent into the crater which took about half an hour.
Lush trees and fog along the route down into the crater
The road passed through some beautiful, lush forests areas with great scenery.
View of the road down into the Ngorongoro crater
Along the road while we were descending into the crater, our driver and guide Omare stopped the vehicle in front of a small stone monument.
Pyramid grave stone for Micheal Grzimek and his father Bernhard Grzimek both buried on the top of the Crater.
He explained that Micheal Grzimek was the first person to make comprehensive maps of the number of wild animals and their migration routes so that the borders of the Serengeti could be better established. He dedicated his life to the protection of African animals and the enlarging of the Serengeti National park.
On 10 January 1959, the plane piloted by Michael collided with a vulture and he lost control. He was killed in the crash. He was buried the same day on the top of the Ngorongoro Crater. Later the government of Tanzania erected a stone pyramid over his grave.
Different animals within the Ngorongoro Crater
We arrived at the base of the crater and immediately we could see many different animals in close proximity to each other. It truly was like another world. There was a solitary elephant as we reached the base of the crater. Then as we looked a little further we saw a large herd of Wildebeest.
A solitary elephant in the Ngorongoro CraterA large herd of Wildebeest.Lions and some Wildebeest in the distance.Zebras in the Ngorongoro Crater
We saw thousands of wild animals living in the massive crater left by a huge ancient volcano. The actual crater is relatively small, when you consider that it is home to the most variety of animals per square meter than anywhere else in the world!
We saw a pride of lions that were on the hunt. They actually came very close to our safari jeep. Male lions proclaim their presence by urinating on bushes, trees, or simply on the ground, leaving a pungent scent behind. The male lion walked right beside our jeep and actually marked our vehicle.
A lioness stalking prey
We saw an array of animals including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, zebras and others. The Ngorongoro crater is one of the few places in Africa where rhinos are found, although we did not get to see any. They are an endangered species, so there are very few of them. Another animal not found in the crater are giraffes. They are unable to descend into the crater due to the build of their bodies. Their legs and long necks, hinder them from the steep walk down into the crater.
After our morning safari drive around the crater, we stoped at a picnic area next to Lake Magadi. This place was a popular spot for the many different birds. Omare set up a nice shaded spot beside the jeep with a table cloth and everything for our picnic.
Shelley and Ray in fore ground while Omare is setting up for lunch in the background.
We even had a few birds come over for a visit. There is no feeding of animals. It is strictly forbidden and against the law. The birds were not troublesome, they just walked around and did not bother anyone.
A Crane in the Ngorongoro CraterThis Helmeted guineafowl which is often referred to as the Wild African chicken
After our picnic lunch we headed over to see some pink flamencos and hippos before starting our ascend out of the crater.
Pink Flamencos in the Ngorongoro Crater.Hippo in the water of the Ngorongoro Crater
We began our 30 minute drive up the crater side to reach the top. We reached the top of the crater rim and stopped to take one last look at this amazing place.
View from the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater.
We drove further west through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the border of the Serengeti National Park. We arrived at a cross road with a large monument that was quite interesting. We stopped to check it out and to take a break.
The Olduvai Gorge monument in Ngorongoro Conservation AreaPlaque on the base of the monument
The Olduvai Gorge monument consists of large-scale sculpted models of Paranthropus boisei and Homo habilis skulls resting on a stone platform. The monument is located only a few kilometres from the Olduvai Gorge and represents the discovery of the skulls which were dated to be about 1.75 million years ago. The discovery indicates that the first humans evolved in Africa. So in essence Olduvai Gorge is like the Biblical Garden of Eden where the first man in this planet is believed to have been created. It was hard to believe we were in the area of the origin of man!
We continued on our way towards the Serengeti National Park and eventually arrived at the park border.
Shelley and Ray at the entrance to the Serengeti National Park
We then continued on our way. The roads in the conservation area and National Parks are not exactly smooth.
We drove stopping along the way to see some of the wildlife until we reached our camp for the night. We arrived late in the evening and it was already dark. We were greeted by a Swahili welcome song and then we settled into our tent for the night.
Our tent camp which was called The Whisper Serengeti Tented Camp was quite comfortable. Out king size bed had mosquito nets and we even had an ensuite washroom!
Our bed with mosquito net covering
The night was quite interesting because we could hear animals close to the tent and even heard lions roaring in the distance. It was an amazing second day!!
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