I have long held an ambition to embark on a wildlife safari – and I have not been disappointed – a really excellent experience.
For me there was both the great diversity of the African landscape, and seeing a lot of wild animals in their own habitat. We visited four National Parks all quite different landscapes and vegetation and drove the distances between the Parks – being in the ‘middle’ of the Serengeti Plains where grasslands stretched in every direction almost as far as the eye could see was a very moving experience. I was fascinated to begin to understand how the various species interact – who eats who and who respects who and how and why.
We travelled all told probably about 800 or so km – about 75% on unsealed roads bumpy rutted tracks in many cases. It was a real adventure getting there and back – transport was in long wheelbased Toyota Landcruisers – not the same shape as we have lots of in NZ – longer and more boxy – but very efficient and reasonably comfortable machines for the flogging they get being pushed hard in such harsh conditions. Driven by Tanzanian guides who speak reasonably good English and our guy anyway had a real love of the animals and was very knowledgeable about all the animals birds etc we encountered.
Highlights – The Serengeti, the Rift Valley escarpment, and Ngorongoro Crater. Seeing up close lions, elephants, zebra and giraffes, and in the distance Cheetas, Leopards and Rhinos.
Photographs – I have uploaded a reasonably large selection of pictures into the gallery. Tanzanian Simba Safari views the whole selection presented in the order in which we experienced them.
Day by Day Account – The safari started from The Mountain Lodge, Arusha with a guided walk around a local lake – not stunning but good exercise after the flight – the main excitement was when we disturbed a huge lizard which was going to harm no one but gave everyone a bit of a wake up! There was a group of around 40 people – 5 or 6 in each landcruiser – we gradually worked out who was travelling with who. I had excellent travelling companions in Paul and Carly from London (on their honeymoon – the safari and then climbing Mt Kilimanjaro) and Steve and Bev, couple about my age from Birmingham. Also got to know a number of people from the other vehicles as well.
That afternoon we set off driving on tarmac to the first lodge high on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley overlooking Lake Manyara.
Day 2 back down the hill to a game drive in the Lake Manyara Park. Lunch back at the lodge then it was gradually broken to us that we had a 5 hour drive ahead into the Serengeti. Most of this drive was on rough gravel roads and quite gruelling. Interesting getting a brief glimpse of Ngorogoro Crater, travelling through Masai lands, then into the Serengeti Park with some game sightings before the welcome relief of the Lodge.
Day 3 a full day game drive in the Serengeti Park – a packed picnic box lunch – this was a great day for animal sightings especially Lions.
Day 4 morning drive across the Serengeti more game sightings and appreciation of the vastness of the open spaces. Out of Serengeti heading back to Ngorongoro, Called in to look over Olduvai Gorge – picnic box lunch there. Visited a Masai Village – was interesting in some respects , but we were generally pretty sceptical about how authentic is was – seemed to be very staged for tourists! Arrived Ngorongoro Lodge in reasonable time in the afternoon. Our driver thus far, Roman, left at this point as his niece had died from Malaria, and replacement, Edward, took over. Ngorongoro is about 2,400m above sea level and was relatively cooler in the evenings and early mornings – a few sweaters and jackets came out. Most of us reacted with huge surprise though when we got into bed and discovered the hotel staff had put hot water bottles into each bed while we at dinner! It wasn’t that cold for goodness sake but a nice gesture!
Day 5 Drove down into Ngorongoro Crater – 600m deep and about 21 km in diameter – many animals live on the crater floor. Very impressive being in the crater being encircled by the walls which were shrouded in cloud for much of the day – although bright sunshine on the crater floor. A little less exciting than Serengeti but larger herds here of zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. An excellent chance watching a pride of lions keep watch over zebra and wildebeest trying to get to a water hole. Lots of tension and interest. Also made a real effort to spot Rhinos of which there are only 23 in this Park and none in the others we visited. Felt fortunate to see three in the distance – mere specs in the photos though! Back up to the Lodge for late lunch and relaxing afternoon.
Day 6 Set off from Ngorongoro through the clouds and mist and an hour and a half of bumpy rough roads to the Park entrance then back on tarseal. Stopped at a couple of craft shops and journeyed on to the last stop Tarangire National Park and the lodge for lunch. A game drive in the late afternoon. This Park was again not as exciting as Serengeti but many herds of elephants, zebra and baboons.
Day 7 Last few game sightings as drove out through the park then a couple of hours drive on seal back to Arusha – lunch at a hotel – in the garden – very pleasant and agreeable temperature. A slight lack of organisation saw us eventually find the right vehicles for transfers to various onward destinations – mine, a 50 min drive through Arusha and out to Kilimanjaro Airport – unfortunately the most hair raising drive of the whole safari! Kili is an interesting little airport (big enough runway to take 747s etc from Europe), people who manned security looked like they were asleep but had detector set to ultra sensitive so I had to take off belt, shoes and watch to get through. Immigration appeared very lax – we went through immigration- you could then could go back ground-side until called then sidle past immigration again – feel sure people could get past without being checked.
Nice flight back up to Nairobi on Precision Air – ATR in new condition – drinks and cashew nuts served on 45 min flight. Driving into Nairobi was a very interesting experience – luckily fixed price taxi arranged by hotel – rush hour traffic brings the 3 lane ‘motoway’ to a standstill and as soon as traffic stops scores of hawkers weave their way up the traffic offering drinks, fruit, cushions, tools, safety triangles, cell phone top ups…..
Two nights one day at Country Lodge Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya – relaxation before flying to Kigali, Rwanda for cbm work.
The 7 day Simba Safari was booked through NZ agent Ranger Safaris in Africa.
Comments
Comment by Gill on 2009-09-25 15:18:19 -0700
Great to have a bit more detail and sounds like your dream come true! Expect I would not have appreciated all the bumps but would have enjoyed the trip!
Comment by Matt Brown on 2009-09-25 18:10:21 -0700
Sounds like you had a great time. The photos are very impressive!
