Day 10 - Last day in Tanzania :(

Today is our last day of the Safari. We got started early in the Crater in hopes of getting a closer look at the black rhino as well as still finding the elusive leopard. It's amazing how some of these animals can blend so easily into the landscape. You can literally be within 10 to 20 feet from a pride of lions and not even know it! (let's just say that some of the more 'natural' bathroom breaks in the wild were risky as a result!). Oh yes....remind us to tell you about how lazy these lions are as well...as they sleep most of the time.

We convinced Prosper to forego the traditional 'boxed' safari lunch and once again, take us into Arusha town for an authentic Tanzania meal at our favourite 'hoteli' restaurant. This time, since we bugged Heber all week, he finally ate with his hands like everyone else.

We boarded our plane to for an overnight flight to Amsterdam - the next leg of our adventure.

Day 9 - Ngorongoro Crater

We checked out of the Migration Camp this morning - what we felt has been the best accomodations in terms of experience, location, food, and service so far on this trip. We would recommend anyone considering a safari to spend more time in these tented lodges and camps (especially this one!) versus the more 'touristy' and 'resort' type lodges.

Today we got up close with my favourite, the Cheetah and as well, got a very, very, very distant glimpse of a black rhino. The Ngorongoro Crater is unbelievable in terms of landscape and wildlife.

Day 8 - Serengeti National Park

We spent another day in the Northern Serengeti. Still looking for the leopard yet. Lots of zebra's and wildebeest roaming around as part of the migration. Amazing site to see all these animals.

Day 7 - Happy Anniversary! Serengeti National Park

Happy 10th Anniversay Billy and Gail!

After a long search this morning...we found him - a male lion. Even more amazing, Prosper made a perfect prediction of where the lion may move to - and with a little bit of patient waiting, we had him within a few feet from our vehicle and no other people around. Later in the afternoon, we observed 3 cheetah's stalking gazelle's for a potential meal.

That evening we arrived at the beautiful Serengeti Migration Camp - sleeping in luxury tents, listening to the hippos, warthogs, and other animals roam around the camp throughout the evening and night. Our anniversary dinner was on an outdoor patio overlooking the Serengeti where the migration takes place.

Day 6 - Serengeti National Park

Happy 10th Anniversary to Heber and Beth!

We made our way to the Serengeti today. On the way, we stopped in for a visit to a local Masai Village. They danced for us, welcomed us to see how they lived, and we met some of the children inside their school house. It really opened our eyes to the Masai people and culture.

The Serengeti was amazing. We had our first close encouter with a pride of female lions - one came within 10 feet of our vehicle. The landscape was also beautiful.

Day 5 - Lake Manyara

Thinking that we couldn't possibly have a day like yesterday..today was unbelievable again...

We were so happy to be able to see more elephants, impalas and giraffes....but, today were able to sit and watch them ever so intently...watching them eat, watching them play and even watching them go to the washroom (yes, I said that)....

We were treated to about 100 or so Hippos basking in the sun...and another 50 covered under water. Surrounding the Hippo pool were Water Buffalo...and thousands of storks.

After lunch, we headed out for another game drive...we saw a herd of giraffes...about a dozen...walking across the plains of the park...truly remarkable. As we continued driving..we happened upon another herd of giraffes...14 to be exact....walking slowing across the lakeshore right in front of us...just breath taking..something we will never, ever see again in our lives...

..another amazing, amazing day...

ooo...forgot to mention like a thrillion flamingos...like a pink cloud filled the lake....

g :)

Day 4 - Tarangire National Park

Our first day on Safari was awesome...we spent the day exploring the park and saw zebras, elephants, and giraffes in their natural habitat. We were literally 2 metres away from a herd of elephants...

Our accomodations was at the Tarangire Tented Camp overlooking the park, animals roamed freely, and where we fell asleep to the sounds of the animals. One of the other guests told us that there was a giraffe walking down the path beside all the tents...how cool right?

It was truly an amazing day!

g :)

Day 3 - Arusha - A day as a local Tanzanian

Started the day off with a wonderful breakfast... omelletes, sausage and ham... and very fresh fruit....

Met our driver for the week... Prosper... who took us into the town of Arusha... we had a great drive around and saw some of the local activity. Must say that we are very lucky to be living where we are living... and the conditions that we live in... very lucky.

Got to sample some yummy local Tanzanian food... Ugali with fish and barbqued meat... sooo good... and of course a taste testing of local beer... two down... Kilimanjaro, Castle... one left to try - Safari.

..it has been a good day... ooo except... stupid Canadians we are... thinking that the HOT WATER would just automatically appear from the shower... and then when it didn't... we thought... ooo... just the way it is... suck it up and take the COLD SHOWER... found out that... ah... there's a button to turn the boiler on... HELLLO.... let's just say very cold little feet....

g :)

Day 2 - Travelling

We had an eventful security check at the airport - apparently, the 'placement' of my camera's battery pack along with a lens filter case looked exactly like a small handgun inside my camera bag. Wish I had a chance to take a photo of what it looked like on the security monitor. Oh well - we all had a good laugh when they saw what was inside.

Flights to Amsterdam and then the transfer to Kilimanjaro went smoothly and on time. Arrived in Tanzania in the dark - so we really didn't get a good look at our surroundings until morning.

Here's a view from the plane while flying over the Sahara Desert...

d-day....Departure...Day 1

...so, it's almost time to hand off the babies and take off for an adventure of a lifetime...

Bags are packed (2 cameras..1 video camera..tripods, tons of lenses...big surprise) wow...packing without stuff for the kids..is waay easier!!!

LOOK OUT AFRICA...I don't think you are ready for the likes of us :)