climb  KILIMANJARO

Day 1
Our driver picked us up from our hotel in Arusha bright and early, and by late morning, we caught our first glimpses of the Ngorongoro Crater.  A short time later, we entered Serengeti National Park and were surrounded by grasslands that stretched for miles.  Before we knew it, our driver had pointed out a lion lounging atop a rock, purveying his territory.  We stopped at the campsite and had a tasty lunch while our tour guide pitched our tent.  After a brief rest, we were off for more game driving.  Although we visited during the dry season, the abundance and diversity of animals we saw was astounding.  Baboons playing along the roadside, timid little dik-diks giving a quick glance before disappearing in the grass, giraffes gently eating leaves from treetops, and a herd of water buffalo grazing near a creek - all were equally amazing.  Back at the campsite, we had a delicious and more-than-filling meal prepared by our chef.  After an enjoyable conversation with our tour guide over tea, we retired to our tent and slept soundly.

Day 2
The day began with a breakfast of toast and jam with fruit and tea.  Then we were off for a day of wildlife watching.  Among the tall grasses and acacia trees, there were hundreds of topi grazing in the plains, a pride of adolescent male lions in search of their next meal, vervet monkeys peering down at us from their perches high in the trees, and graceful gazelles eating peacefully alongside the wildebeests and zebras.  After a brief stop at the campsite for lunch and a rest, the highlight of the afternoon was watching a leopard feasting on a meal of a recently hunted reebok amid the branches of a sausage tree.  We headed back to our campsite after seeing countless more animals, including a herd of elephants crossing the road and munching on thorny acacias while a baby nursed from its mother.  The setting sun afforded spectacular scenery and prime photo opportunities.  Following another hearty meal, we played a round of cards with fellow travelers before retiring to our tent.

Urasa Safari Meets the King of the Pride

Day 3
Our morning began with a quick breakfast and early start to our final day in the Serengeti.  The beautiful sunrise roused the animals from their slumber and we watched as they walked to watering holes for a morning drink.  A crocodile swam among the hippos, and a spotted hyena walked among the grasses as lovebirds flew overhead.  We bid farewell to the Serengeti and had lunch just outside the park.  Once entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we saw Maasai boys herding their cattle among the zebras.  The lush vegetation on the road down the crater opened up to provide breathtaking scenery once we reached the crater floor.  The sheer number of animals was incredible.  We saw everything from flamingoes wading in the water and cheetahs stalking gazelles to a lone black rhino standing in the tall grass.  There were ostriches and warthogs among the grazing wildebeests, hippos frolicking in a water hole, and secretary birds strutting along the plains.  Hyenas lounged in the road as jackals hungrily walked in search of prey.  At one point, our safari vehicle was surrounded by a herd of zebras and wildebeests grazing nonchalantly.  From blacksmith plovers and storks to the incredible kori bustard, the diversity of birds found within the crater was astounding.  Our day culminated with a view of the sunset over the crater from our lodge.  Following a deliciously satisfying meal, we headed to the pool for a relaxing swim, and then to our room for a restful night's sleep.

Day 4
We left the lodge after breakfast and headed back to the crater for a morning game drive.  We never grew tired of watching grazing impalas or zebras fighting in a show of power, and were rewarded with sights of some new animals as well.  Though known for their Serengeti habitat, we saw a few lions at home in the crater.  Elephants and waterbucks also allowed themselves to be viewed and photographed.  After a picnic lunch at Ngoitokitok Springs, we ascended the crater wall to the rim.  Our driver took us out of Ngorongoro, through the heart of Maasai country and the dusty town of Karatu.  We reminisced about our game drives during the afternoon drive back to Arusha.  Our driver dropped us off at our hotel and left us with memories to last a lifetime.