Safari - The Game Drive Part 1

Well, we are now in Africa!! After 2 nights in Arusha, we are off to see the big wide world of animals. First we head to Tarangire, well known for their large Elephant populations.

Tarangire National Park, Day one of the Safari
Today we went on a looooooooooooong game drive. When we got to the main gate of the park, Mosses (our guide/driver) took off the roof so that we could look out the top of the car. We saw many Elephants and Giraffes as there are many trees. There were also many Zebras. Additionally we saw three Cheetahs, two Lions, and one sleepy Leopard!! We didn't arive to the Tarangire Safari Lodge until 6:00, way to late for us.


Ngorongoro Crater, Day three of the Safari
We are now heading into the Ngorongoro Crater. The crater was created a looooooooooong time ago when a volcano collapsed in on itself. It is now home to a large Lion population. There are almost no Elephants or Giraffes here as there are not many trees and that is what they eat. Today we saw 3 Lion cubs, 4 Lionesses, many Wildebeest, and 2 large male Lions. We also saw Hippopotomi in the water and 2 Rhino from afar. Now we head to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for the night.


Lake Manyara, Day five of Safari
Now, Lake Manyara!!! Lake Manyara is mostly a lake so there are many small streams and rivers that keep everything lush and green. We saw Hippopotomi, Baboons, Giraffes, Elephants and an never ending line of pink - Flamingos. We only saw the Flamingos from afar as we couldn't get close since they were in the middle of the lake.



During the Safari, I liked all the parks. Manyara was green, Ngorongoro was spacious and Tarangire was very... I don't know. I really liked the Elephants, the babies were SO cute!!! The baby Elephants do NOT like to stay far from Mama. That was one reason that Tarangire was nice. The Lion cubs in Ngorongoro were also adorable. At first all 3 of them were sitting under someone's car!!! Then the car started up and the Cubs immediately left. And in Manyara, the Baboons eating the sausage shapped fruit from the "sausage tree" were very silly. One Baboon ate and then he left. His playmate that was anxiously awaiting his departure grabbed the fruit, carefully inspected it and then started eating.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Safari but five days is enough.


Mosses our guide (above)



and our safari car!!!