Saturday, April 11,
2015 Lake Manyara, Tanzania (Drive to Serengetti National Park)
Mumbo! Mumbo!.....The African way of saying hello
After a nice breakfast buffet, I took a quick stroll around
the manicured grounds of the Lodge. Tall Aloe Vera trees lined the driveway with
lush plants and flowers lining a trickling waterfall next to the dining room.
Can't believe the size of these Aloe Vera Trees!
Everything was open air. The building had a high woven ceiling with woven baskets and gord shades on the light fixtures. It was very uniquely rustic in the African style.
All the furniture and built in closets were heavy dark wood. The curtain rods were hand carved with birds on the ends and the towel racks were carved snakes.
Woven rugs hung on the walls and covered the floors beside the bed. It all was an awesome sight.
The hotel owners really supports the community. They hire a doctor who looks
after the local tribes. They also started a fresh water purification system that
allows the community to have clean water as well as started a public library.
A local home we saw along the road to Lake Manyara Hotel
Everything was open air. The building had a high woven ceiling with woven baskets and gord shades on the light fixtures. It was very uniquely rustic in the African style.
All the furniture and built in closets were heavy dark wood. The curtain rods were hand carved with birds on the ends and the towel racks were carved snakes.
Woven rugs hung on the walls and covered the floors beside the bed. It all was an awesome sight.
Water fall at the lodge
We drove to the Lake Manyara Reserve at the foot of the tall
mountain of the Lodge. We passed by a six team of cows hooked up to a plow getting
a garden ready for planting. We have seen so much heavy duty work done by
hand….not many big machines around. Nixson explains “that it provides work for
the populations….and they do a better job than the machines.”
Roadside baboon troops before entering the park
Lake Manyara National Park has four regions of different land areas…rain
forest, thin treed area, marsh land, and the lake. As we rode through each area
we saw so many different animals. So what did we see?
First animal sightings were troops of baboons. Old and young,
they were fun to watch! Little fresh water crabs were walking in a small
stream. A family of Horn Billed Chickpea
reminded us of a Toucan with its unusual shaped bill. Hammoco birds are referred
to as the King of Birds because they make a huge nest. Four small elephants
shyly hid in the forest as we tried to coax them into the clearing.
We saw sike monkeys, brown parrots, and more and more baboons. To quote Nixson, our guide “ baboons have no family planning.”
The baboons love to groom each other in all special places.
We observed 10 hippos soaking in the river. We saw vervet monkeys and impalas are referred to as the McDonald’s of Africa because of the arches on the hind ends. A lighter colored wildebeest roamed here. Its coat was lighter due to its diet.
warthogs...we called pumbas from the Lion King
grant gazells
We saw sike monkeys, brown parrots, and more and more baboons. To quote Nixson, our guide “ baboons have no family planning.”
We observed 10 hippos soaking in the river. We saw vervet monkeys and impalas are referred to as the McDonald’s of Africa because of the arches on the hind ends. A lighter colored wildebeest roamed here. Its coat was lighter due to its diet.
The marshy area was a birders paradise. We saw the Maragoo
Storks (known as the undertaker), fight with vultures. We also saw African
Spoonbills,
Black Smiths Plavers
Water Thick Knees…and their knees were thick), Heron, White Egrets, Squeek O Heron, Jacona(what long claws they have), Widowbird, Gloss Ibus, Goliath Heron (so much larger), Egyptian Geese, Glossy Haddada Ibus, Black Egret (opened wings tent like to spot food in the water better), Saddlebill Stork, Secretary,
Superb Sterling (so beautiful), Red Bishop, Southern Ground Hornbill, Crested Crown Crane (Uganda’s National Bird..very beautiful), Black Necked Ring Dove and it is possible that I left a few others off my list.
Water Thick Knees…and their knees were thick), Heron, White Egrets, Squeek O Heron, Jacona(what long claws they have), Widowbird, Gloss Ibus, Goliath Heron (so much larger), Egyptian Geese, Glossy Haddada Ibus, Black Egret (opened wings tent like to spot food in the water better), Saddlebill Stork, Secretary,
Superb Sterling (so beautiful), Red Bishop, Southern Ground Hornbill, Crested Crown Crane (Uganda’s National Bird..very beautiful), Black Necked Ring Dove and it is possible that I left a few others off my list.
We saw many unusual trees with fruits….that only the animals
eat. One was called the Sausage fruit…long looking sausage shaped fruits hung
from it.
We left Lake Manyara around 12:00 and returned back to the
Lodge for lunch. Larry had fish and I had a Lentil Curry….with soup, salad,
fresh bread, and homemade chocolate ice cream and chocolate covered bananas.
We returned to the car for a five hour rigorous
ride to our next destination…Serengeti National Park. Along the unforgettable
washboard dirt road we went for FIVE
long hours. Nixson laughed along the way asking, “Aren’t you enjoying your
African Massage?”
After five hours of this kind of road, we all needed a massage....or at least a couple Tylenol.
Awesome view from the top of the Ngorangora Crater
Entrance into the Ngorongoro National Park
While passing over the Ngorangora Crater we waved to the Massai
Tribesmen in their bright colored wraps.
Following the old traditional ways of the tribe for hundreds of years; they herd cows, sheep and goats while living in round huts in the valley during the rainy season and in the mountains during the dry season.
Following the old traditional ways of the tribe for hundreds of years; they herd cows, sheep and goats while living in round huts in the valley during the rainy season and in the mountains during the dry season.
Larry and I were in "awe" of seeing the great wildebeest
migration taking place with a long line of wildebeest following one another for
miles and miles. INCREDIBLE!
We also spotted giraffes, zebras, buffalos, ostriches,
hyenas, pumbas, and black back jackals.
Nixson told us that he is part
chameleon…..he keeps one eye on the road and one eye looking for animals.
OMG!!!! Please keep both eyes on the road because the ruts were a foot deep
and the pot holes were big enough to go for a swim in…and that is no
exaggeration. We are all so glad that our car has four wheel drive and Nixson has 15 years of safari road experience
in driving.
Nixson, our driver
wildebeests and zebras
Buffalos
We climbed to the top of Naabi Hill capturing a magnificent view of the Serengeti!
A fantastic rainbow graced the sky during our drive
and we had the most magnificent sunset across the Serengeti.
Despite the awful roads, the day was full of spectacular moments. We arrived at the Serengeti Sernena Lodge at 7:15…. Greeted with mango juice and warm washcloths to freshen up with, we were just in time to have a guard escort us to our rooms for the night. Yes…ESCORT !!!! There are wild animals out there! We were told immediately upon arrival to not come outside after dark without a guard, always call for one….NO WORRIES THERE! We have had enough excitement for one day. So after a wonderful dinner, our bed was the only place that we wanted to visit under the African stars!
and we had the most magnificent sunset across the Serengeti.
Despite the awful roads, the day was full of spectacular moments. We arrived at the Serengeti Sernena Lodge at 7:15…. Greeted with mango juice and warm washcloths to freshen up with, we were just in time to have a guard escort us to our rooms for the night. Yes…ESCORT !!!! There are wild animals out there! We were told immediately upon arrival to not come outside after dark without a guard, always call for one….NO WORRIES THERE! We have had enough excitement for one day. So after a wonderful dinner, our bed was the only place that we wanted to visit under the African stars!
View from our deck!
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