Tanzania, Africa 7/9 -- 7/17/2011 [Tanzania Gallery] [Back to Photo Page] [Slide Show]

An African safari is a dream trip for all of us. Vast endless unspoiled grassland, countless zebras and gazelles running freely without boundaries, fierce predators awaiting the exact moment to strike their prey, these are the experiences hard to find anywhere else on earth.  Tanzania, in East Africa, is Africa's prime wildlife game-viewing country, best known for its archetypal African savanna in the Serengeti Plains and the dense concentration of wildlife in so called 'Garden of Eden' at the Ngorongoro Crater, highlights a mosaic of national parks and conservation areas that cover almost 25% of the country and protect an estimated 20% of Africa's large mammals.

Getting there ...

We came to Africa continuing from our previous trip to Paris. We flew from Paris to London, London to Nairobi (Kenya), and Nairobi to Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).  We had quite a few problems with our flight: 1) Linus' reservation got cancelled because he did not fly with us from San Francisco to Paris for the 1st part of our itinerary, so he had to put on to the waiting list for Paris to London. 2) The flight from London to Kenya was delayed by more than 5 hours that we arrived at Nairobi airport after 2AM and missed our connecting flight to Tanzania, and we had to spend one night at the airport. 3) When we arrived at Kilimanjaro airport, we found ourselves missing one luggage (out of three) that did not arrive with us.
We had a private tour arranged through Basecamp Tanzania, which gave us one guide and one vehicle (Land Cruiser) with our family for the entire trip. Luckily our guide was still there waiting for us at the airport although we had been delayed for about 12 hours.

[Tarangire, July 9-11] [Serengeti, July 11-15] [Ngorongoro, July 15-17]

Arusha ...

When we got out the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to drive toward Arusha city, we were surprised by how impoverished the living conditions were in the area.  We had a quick stop at Ilboru Safari lodge (where we were supposed to stay one night but did not make it because the flight delay) to take a break before noon.

Tarangire ...

• The 2850 sq km Tarangire National Park lies at the core of a much more expansive ecosystem extending to some 5000 sq km of unprotected land across the Maasai Steppes. The name of the park originates from the Tarangire river that crosses through the park, being the only source of water for wild animals during dry seasons (June - September).  In general, Tarangire region is drier than the Serengeti, but similar to the Serengeti , there is a great deal of migratory movement within the greater Tarangire ecosystem.
  I rented a Canon EF500mm lens for this trip.  The lens itself could draw some attention from other travelers: when I took out the lens/camera, someone in a nearby vehicle would take a picture of me :-)
   

• Tarangire is justifiably famous for the prolific elephant herds that congregate along the river during the dry season.  According to a recent census (a few years old), the region supported a total population of around 3000 elephants.  We encountered a big elephant family (more than 20 of them), and one of the baby elephant even tried to charge at us!  You can see its triumphant smile after we backed off a little bit.

• Our first day experience of African Safari was concluded with a perfect sunset!

• Our 2nd day started with a sight of a lion and a leopard.  Although they were far away and hidden from clear view, we were excited to have a good start.

• Animals can be seen in the greatest concentrations along the Tarangire River during the dry season.  A wild life census during the wet season in 1980 indicated animal numbers in the Tarangire eco-system at the following levels: - 32,000 zebra 30,000 impala, 25,000 wildebeest, 6,000 buffalo and 3,000 elephant.

• We stayed in a bungalow at Tarangire Safari Lodge inside the park. The lodge is built on top of a high bluff with a breathtaking panorama with the Tarangire River carving out the landscape below.

[Tarangire, July 9-11] [Serengeti, July 11-15] [Ngorongoro, July 15-17]

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