Final Safari Days

Jambo! (Hello!)
We've returned to civilization after 4 incredible days in the Serengeti. Never mind the Big 5, we conquered the Big 9 - lions, elephants, Cape Buffalo, leopard, and rhino (big 5) plus cheetah, zebra, giraffe and hippo. We stayed in the bush in the Serengeti in fancy mobile tents. The area, set up for the 15 of us and 7 staff, was run on solar power - we had lights, showers and flushing toilets in our tents, along with amazing home cooked meals every day. In addition, the crew moves the tents etc as is needed based upon where the animals are migrating too - so you're never very far away! Nights were a little harrowing as we could here hyenas calling through the nights along with a lion or two.

Each day we went out on 2 game drives, one ion the early morning and one in the late afternoon. In addition to many lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeasts, waterbucks, reedbucks, gazelles, impalas, topis, hyenas, jackel, monkeys, baboons, cheetahs, leopards, rhino, and tons of birds, we also saw what occurs after lio0ns take down it's prey.It's an amazing display that took place as the lions eat the zebra while other lions, hyenas and jackals approach in an attempt to get some meat. On one occasion, the kill occurred where buffalo were grazing and to watch the territorial dance between the lions and the buffalo was incredible!

On our 3rd morning, Emily and I took a balloon ride with 4 others in our group over the Serengeti plains. Pretty neat to see all of the animals from that viewpoint! It was followed by a fabulous champagne brunch. Life doesn't get much better than that!

This morning we went to visit a primary school which teaches kids 7-14 years. It had approx. 5 classrooms, 600 kids, 15 teachers, minimal supplies and no electricity. Lunch is provided every day - porridge and beans which is made over a campfire. The kids all appear very happy however it's very sad to witness the poverty - their clothes are extremely dirty and tattered.  But is was great to see their excitement throughout our visit - they loved our cameras. At first they kept jumping in front of one another wanting us to take their pictures. Later they fought over taking the pictures themselves - they were thrilled to be taking pictures of us! It was almost impossible to get my camera back.

Today is our last day with our safari group. We'll have a farewell dinner tonight and the other 13 will fly back to the US tomorrow while Emily and I head off to Zanzibar island for a week of r & r on the beach.

Somewhere along the way, I'm hoping to find faster Internet so that I can post some pictures. Still loving Africa and thrilled to be here!