Blog 12 - Safari!

Wildlife Safari

            We started our first day of safari with a breakfast at 7:30. We had eggs, toast, pancakes, and fruit. We left in our separate cars and stopped at the bank soon after. After a few of us got the money we needed, 3 out of the 4 cars stopped at a market for snacks and a bathroom break. Then we all made our way to a gift shop in Arusha. A few of us bought tanzanite and other souvenirs. After we picked out our gifts we got in our cars and made our way to the entrance gates of the safari. We pulled over in a parking lot inside the gate for a bathroom break and for lunch. For lunch they made us some butter and carrot sandwiches along with some banana and oranges, and of course, chicken. Then we all loaded back into the cars and made our way to the safari trail. As soon as we got on the trail we saw baboons and other monkeys. As we navigated around the safari trail, some of the highlights were giraffes, elephants, and zebras. There were also some very pulchritudinous views. As we concluded the first day of safari, most of the kids had a smile on their face. We left the safari zone and headed over to the campground where we would spend the night in preparation for the next day of safari. We ate a nice dinner prepared by the staff at the lodge and when we concluded we went to our tents to sleep, making sure we didn’t step on any of the nocturnal thorns. Tent mates discussed different topics and had an overall good time. By 10:00 everyone was asleep. The next day we woke up bright and early at 5:00, just in time for breakfast at 5:30. It was a pleasant breakfast, which consisted of the usual eggs, toast, pancakes, and fruit. They also had a pleasant little surprise of mango juice. By around 6:15 we were on the road heading to the crater. It was about a 30 minute drive to the gates of the park. At the gates we witnessed some baboon intercourse. Then it was an hour drive to the crater. The crater is about 600 meters high so the descent took around 20 minutes. As we drove down the side of the crater, the view was amazing. We could see all the way across it. When we made it to the bottom, we started to make our way across it. Immediately, there were hundreds of zebras, wildebeests, gazelle, warthogs, and many other animals just chilling around the path that we traveled on. Fairly early on during the safari we were able to spot a lion, walking a little far out. However, we had our binoculars, so we were able to capture glimpses of it. We drove for a while looking at all the animals that surrounded us. Suddenly, the safari guides told each other that there was a very rare black rhino nearby. All the cars quickly made their way to the spot it was sighted. Baba Dick said that he had never been that close to a rhino in his life, which made this experience all the more exciting. After driving around looking at all the wildlife, we stopped for lunch at the hippo pools. The hippos are massive, but they wouldn’t get too close to us. For lunch we had the double decker butter, tomato, and cucumber sandwiches. Along with fruit, small muffins, juice boxes, and chicken. As soon as we all finished eating, about to take the photo by the big tree near the hippo pool, a hawk dropped its mouse right next to us. Baba Dick was pretty scared. I thought he was supposed to be a tough guy. Guess we were all wrong. Hehe. Sam threw the mouse in the air with hopes of the hawk swooping down and catching it. After a few attempts, unfortunately there was no luck. We all hopped back into the safari cars, and went to go check out more animals in the crater. Once we nearly done with the safari, we passed by a lioness taking a nap under a tree a couple feet from the path we were on. It was a completely jaw dropping experience for us all. An experience none of us will ever forget. We left the crater and made our way up the side. We got to the top after a very bumpy, but beautiful drive. Before we left the park once and for all, we stopped at the look out area and took pictures and simply admired the view of the crater from the top. It is crazy to think that we were in there with thousands of wild animals, yet it’s nearly impossible to see any from the top. Except for the huge herds of wildebeests of course. As we headed back we made a quick stop at a gift shop, which had many cool things. After we finished shopping the chaperones were very thoughtful of us and bought each car a pizza for the 4-hour drive back. They also bought some of us sodas. After what seemed like a decade, we eventually made it back to the lodge. We walked in and there were beautiful decorations waiting for us. Once we all got cleaned up, we gathered for dinner. Suddenly, our chef rolled in a goat that they prepared for us all day while we were gone. The dinner was the best we have had here yet; we even got cake! After dinner was finished many of us continued to pack to get ready to leave this place that we now call our second home.

Blog by: Bryce, Grayson, Brock, and Jenna

Hi Parentals,

I had the best time on safari and cannot wait to show you all the cool stuff I bought. I miss you and am super super excited to see you all. Love love love you. Goodnight, I have to pack now.

Love, Jenna

Hey mom and dad,

Really excited to see you guys soon. Sorry I’ve spent so much money, there is just too many cool things here. You’ll understand when you see all the gifts. It is gonna be hard to say goodbye to all the people I’ve met and the beautiful scenery, but it’s going to be a lot easier knowing I get to see you guys in a very short while. Love you guys so so so so so so much. XOXO.

Love, Brock :)

Hi Mom and Dad,

I hope you had a just as amazing of a trip as I did. I made sure to take plenty of photos to help save all of the wonderful memories I have of here. I have only bought one painting so far and am planning on buying a second one tomorrow before we leave. I have unfortunately been unable to find a painting that would match the living room. Sorry mom. I’ve made sure to try all sorts of different stuff while here. I’ve also learned quite a lot about myself. I also learned how to play Uno and the card game war. Both of which have been a ton of fun. I sure do miss both of you.

Love, Grayson.