OUR FIRST HIPPO

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Up at 6:30 for breakfast at 7 in order to leave Oliver's Camp for Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater and Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. I took photos of everyone in our group and Justin showed us photos of wildlife who, last night while we slept, activated night cameras set up near camp buildings. WOW....even an elephant!

Back in our Land Cruisers, we took a last swing through the Tarangire.  We saw more elephants, giraffes with babies, a troop of baboons (suckling, fighting, and mating) 

small green lovebirds,

several dazzles of zebra and a

pride of 3 sleeping lions!!!

We left  Tarangire National Park at 10:45 and drove through an area of towns and farms with cornfields and herds of cattle and goats of all colors and sizes crossing paved roads. We followed a new road toward Manyara 

and stopped at 11:30 to pick up a new Classic Escapes passenger. While there we 

bought local peanuts and handmade bracelets from Masai women who approached our vehicle.  $1 each!!!

At noon we stopped at the Children Concern Foundation where we fell in love with the orphans who are cared for and taught there. Esther grabbed my hand and we walked together to tour the school and dorms. Delightful!  We knew we were stopping there so each of us had brought books for the children. 

Soon we passed through a lively, busy Masai town outside forested Manyara National Park and entered the park at 1. First stop was a picnic, bag lunches from Oliver's. Driving through the park we observed baboons grooming each other and blue velvet monkeys chasing each other. The park is essentially a ground water forest that supports fig and mahogany trees. The star event was the Hippo Pool. Even though we saw only one hippo, there were cape buffalo, wildebeasts, zebras, Maribou storks, egrets and other water fowl. 

On the way to Ngorongoro Crater we had a break at a very well appointed souvenir shop where Peter found an authentic brick oven where they made pizza margarita. Only problem:  no time to wait for a pizza!! On the road again we drove by some very well tended farms growing lots of sunflowers. This area, just outside Ngorongoro, seems to be more prosperous than others we've seen. 

Ngorongoro itself is unique. It is an ecosystem of 102 square miles and 1800 feet deep formed 2 million years ago when the cone of a volcano collapsed. It is a microcosm of East African scenery with abundant wildlife. Masai families farm the land so wild and domesticated animals live together. We will visit it tomorrow.   

After 10 hours in our vehicles, we finally arrived at our "resting place" for the next two nights, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, built at the edge of the crater. Unbelievable!!  75 rooms in a lodge with the feel of Frank Lloyd Wright!!!  Beautifully appointed but not great food!  

Early morning tomorrow!