Africa

We did a safari in Tarangire Park (2500 square kilometers), Ngorongoro crater (265
square kilometers and 1800 feet high, and amazing eco system) and the Serengeti.

To summarize the experience:

• Saw all of the big 5, even though the Rhinos were pretty far away.
• Tons of animals up close and a lot of lions.
  Accommodations:
• Neptune in Ngorongoro was on the other side of the crater and very nice.
• Taasa migration camp and lodge were beautiful tent properties. Even though we
  had an incident where a “control” burn got a little out of control and headed
  towards our lodge. Causing a bit of an evacuation. Both properties were
  amazing and all of the staff at every place were wonderful!
  Some notes:
• Need to stay in jeeps! Even though you get within steps of lions, leopards, etc.,
  staying in the jeeps keep you safe as they don’t seem to be bothered by them.
  Step out a different story!
• Expect accidents, as one delayed us getting into the crater.
• “Tracking” is a bit suspect, as most of the way we found animals was by the
  many jeeps coordinating sightings.
• We heard animals around our tents at night, a fight between lions and hyenas
  over a kill one night was unnerving, and you always had to be escorted when you
  left your tent.
• We learned a lot about Masai warriors during a village visit, many times they
  were our escorts, and it’s a visit I would recommend doing.
• Need to look at peak migration in the area you will be in. Even though our
  migration camp was supposed to follow, we did see huge herds of animals, but the
  crossing just ended, so we missed that event.
• Expected a lot of bad roads, bumpy rides and occasional flat tires.
• Lions sleep 16 hours a day, as it takes a lot of energy to make a kill. So, mainly
  lying around, which allows them to get close, but not hunting as much. Night
  drives give you more activity and we witness an amazing roaring of a lion up
  close one night!
• The animal population in the Serengeti is up, so that was nice to hear.
• Africa have tourism police to protect and help tourist.
• Interesting fact: Zebra’s can not be domesticated, because of back and can’t be
  tamed, and they are born black.
• Victoria Falls
  • We spent a few nights at the Victoria Falls River lodge along the Zambeiz river just
    above the falls.
  • We saw elephants and hippos in the water, and a herd of elephants grazing right outside
    our front door.
  • The falls was at its low level, as it was the dry season and the government reduces the
    water level to keep the turbines moving down stream. So, we were not able to see the
    mile long wall of falls, however, we could see what was behind the falls and witness the
    falls at the main chain. Note: during peak, the wall of water is impressive, however,
    can’t see a lot of the falls due to the mist and you will be very wet.