There WERE Cheetahs!

After getting our final 6 stranded safarist and a lunch at Olerai, we loaded up the Land Cruisers with the luggage for our group of 12 and Gary as owner and guide to head to the little local Arusha airport for our back country puddle jumper to the Serengeti. Mzee and Mac our other two guides had driven their Land Cruisers earlier in the day to be able to pick us up at the dirt strip airport.

Out pilot with his Apple phone map, Ralph our Marin pilot safarist enjoying the copilots seat, the wonderful geology of Tanzania and landing at the airport!

We headed out on the savannah as soon as Gary showed us the map and loaded us all up. Having three land cruisers is critical – why? First, three to four cruisers spread out and searching for animals, the chances of spotting animals is greater. Second, the interaction with each guests as well as getting to know all three guides. Each cruiser is a slightly different layout and although they are designed to hold five, only four seats are used. When we did finally see other vehicles – their crowded 6 seaters just didn’t look as comfortable even if they were alone with a guide.

Serengeti means Endless Plain. The first time I heard the meaning, I thought it was Endless place…it feels that way too. Our camp location toward the south was away from most of the other camps. The Serengeti is one of the few National Parks where you don’t have to stay on dirt roads. It made for a potential bumpier ride – avoiding termite mounds and serendipitously creature created monster holes.

The sunroofs were off when we left the airport and we could choose to sit up on the roof and hold on like crazy or stay in our seat and take photos out of our open sides. Larkin, Michael and I were together for the only time as a family as we figured if we split up we’d get different shots and get to know the entire group. We only had two cameras but 3 apple iphones. Larkin used the Canon and I used the Lumix. Mine was not minding very well and often just didn’t like to focus but we all still came up with some fun shots – especially for a blog! The above photos shows what we saw on our way to the camp from the airport – birds like the Guineafowl and Roller, the Dik-Dik, Jackal and the rain surprised us but didn’t keep the three cheetah’s from hunting in the rain.

This is what it looked like if we could include the Land Cruisers along with the animals.

The beautiful Umbrella acacia trees dotted our camp – Larkin and Jess were walking under a very large one to dinner. You can see what our tents looked like from the outside with their pseudo running water which was unexpected but delightful. A fire greeted us every evening and every morning at the mess tent. Some of the beetles look like art work! Sunsets were subtle as the weather was most often partly cloudy. We had some stunning thunderstorms and muddy paths over our incredible safari days. Shoes needed to be easy on and easy off as all tents were shoe free! Showers were fire warmed approximately 5 gallons of smoky water. Michael never got the water on, water off soap up, water on, rinse etc so he would find himself with no water but soaped up. I am the queen of rinse it all quick and the ponytail can wait until the lodge outside Ngorongoro crater!

Michael and I always chose the after dinner shower options as we wanted to be bug spray free for bed. Our tents were very well netted and few bugs. I did have a cute little mouse that was as surprised a I was to see him near the toilet section. We chatted but he liked scooting away as quick as my face was in his space. he was too shy to be photographed. He loved the stack of toilet paper near the toilet for his nest. There are about 8 tent cabins approximately three on one side looking out and 5 on our side. Even though we were 7 we were by far the furthest tent. After dark and before sunrise we were requested to call for an escort so we weren’t eaten in the dark. The more the merrier! Our call sign should have been “Tent 7 needs an escort,” however my choice was “Dark side of the moon requesting reentry. Tent 7 ready to join earth.” The mice were rare but if the furthest tents aren’t used often enough the rodents can find comfort. We heard of a hyena that kept finding a way into the furthest tent in one of the camps. The bed was his comfort and like a puppy – he destroyed it. The only way to discourage him was removal of the tent. Sorry bud!

There were incredible men who cooked, cleaned, escorted and protected us in each camp and Olerai. Many unseen for most of the trip. Angels behind the scenes! Our food was too much but absolutely delicious! It was served family style – salads, meats, veggies, deserts that I can’t imagine trying to cook in the middle of nowhere. Wine and spirits were an open bar but seldom over used as days were early and late and energy needed just to soak up the visions across the plains were more important!

The next day is our first full day in the Serengeti. At least 5 are awaiting luggage to arrive in Kilimanjaro to be driven to our Serengeti camp. More to come…