Here are some photos from a trip to Northern Tanzania in 2007. Overall, the 14 days safari was great, and much better in terms of observed wildlife than my 2004 safari in Southern Africa (Botswana and Namibia). This time I decided to pay extra to be the only guest in the car. This was very expensive, but well worth the money in terms of wildlife viewing and photography.
After some initial failures to communicate, I got along well enough with the guide and the cook. I even managed to help the cook become a safari guide after returning home. At his request, I wrote him a recommendation letter before leaving Arusha. After returning home, he sent me an email, and told me, based on my recommendation and one recommendation by a Danish guy, he got a certified to operate as a safari guide. This of course was a big step up for him, because the safari guides and drivers were kind of "king of the road" in Tanzania. All in all, and after having visited Kenya again in 2010, I think the people of Tanzania are among the nicest and most friendly in Africa. The guide played songs by Tabu Ley Rochereau all day and all night on the car stereo. When setting up camp, he always played the same song. So, whenever I think about my 2007 Tanzania trip, I imagine hearing the song "Ibeba" by the great Tabu Ley. During my 14 days in Northern Tanzania, I guess I heard the song playing at least 50 times.
Yellow-billed Stork and White Pelican at Lake Manyara National Park
The safari car, a Toyota Landcruiser - toward Lake Natron
Local villages collect fees from tourists. This is the Monduli District Council Engaruka gate on the way from Manyara to Lake Natron
The "road" between Manyara and Lake Natron is rough ...
Lake Natron with flamingo's and Ol Doinyo Lengai (Oldoinyo Lengai), "Mountain of God" in the Maasai language. This is an active volcano located in the Gregory Rift just south of Lake Natron
At the Lake Natron campsite
Ngare Sero River trail, Lake Natron area
Old human rock shelter. Walking the Ngaresero River trail with Peter, the maasai guide
Swimming in the Ngaresero River
Maybe Desert Rose (Adenium obesum), Ngaresero River trail
The crew, the cook (left) and driver/guide (right)
Kamakia - River Campsite, Lake Natron
Very basic accomodation, here at the Lake Natron Campsite
Dinner area at Kamakia Campsite
Lake Natron village
Lake Natron village
Lake Natron
Lake Natron dried out
Shepherds. This strech of "road" was rather rough
Northern Tanzania
Village in northern Tanzania between Lake Natron and Serengeti NP, with safari vehicles
Main raod between Lake Natron and Serengeti NP
Serengeti entrance
Vervet monkey youngster
In Northern Serengeti we ran into the front of the great migration coming from Masai Mara, an impressive view
Front of the great migration, here in the Grumeti Region
Grumeti River in Serengeti
Grumeti River
Serengeti sunrise
Lion-safe dinner at the Nyani campsite in Seronera, Serengeti
Roof hatch wildlife watching
Safari congestion
Lamadi, a small town located on the shore of Lake Victoria
Refreshment, a tusker for me, city of Lamadi next to Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria fishing village
Fishing village market, with vegetbles and charcoal
The witchdoctor's remedies, spears and bird heads!
The witchdoctor in a village west of Lamadi, he was good predicting my future, I must admit
Fishermen at Lake Victoria
Fishing trip on Lake Victoria
Safari gear, here at Serengeti Stop-Over Logde
Safari gear, part 2
Camping at the Serengeti Stop-Over Logde, near the western Serengeti Ndabake Gate
The cook in action at Serengeti Stop-Over Logde, all food were made on charcoal
Serengeti in a nutshell
A Leopard in Serengeti, probably the most sought-after animal on many safaris
Seronera River
The top predators are always sought-after on safaris. This male lion has been in a fight
Flat tire! Seronera repair chop
Serengeti plain seen from the southern entrance
Typical safari view
Cape Buffalo skull
Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important human fossil sites in Africa. In 1959, Mary Leaky found the Australopithecus boisei (now Paranthropus boisei) at the Frida Leakey Korongo (FLK) site near the red cliffs at the center of the image
The museum at Olduvai Gorge
Homo habilis remains, Olduvai Gorge
Olduvai Gorge
Maasai on the Ngorongoro Crater rim
Ngorongoro campsite, at the rim of the vulcano
Campsite at Karatu
The raod leading to Lake Eyasi
Lake Eyasi is a seasonal shallow endorheic (no outlet) salt lake on the floor of the Great Rift Valley
Sunset at Lake Eyasi
Hadzabe bushmen around the campfire early morning
Hadzabe hunter with berries for breakfast ..
I had to try the bushman bow and poisonous arrow, without too big success
Bushman landscape north of Lake Eyasi
Landscape near Lake Eyasi
Bushman landscape, the guy who was hunting with me is seen in the riverbed
Entertainment at the Tarangiri National Park campsite
Tarangiri National Park
Staple Tanzanian safari beer
In Arusha with the guide and cook after the safari