Arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport in the evening, it took about one hour to get through all the hassle. Three booths and one extra luggage security scan later, I was picked up by Tanzania Adventure, and driven to the Oasis Lodge, where I spent the first night. Coincidentally, this was the same company I reveled with on my last visit in 2007. Back then I booked my travel online directly form the Tanzanian company, while this time a Norwegian travel agency helped me with the booking. Strange, since there are virtually hundreds of safari companies in Arusha. Anyway, I got to spend the first night at a lodge where I had been earlier.
The next morning, it took >2 h to drive to the first destination, Tarangire National Park. There we spent about 5 h, before heading for an afternoon drive to Karatu and overnight stay at the Country Lodge. A very nice place indeed, with luxurious rooms and good food. On day two, there was a relatively long drive to Serengeti, where we arrived around lunch-time. After day-time safari drive, we headed towards the Mapito Tented Camp in the afternoon. This afternoon it was raining heavily, and the road was partly flooded. On the mud-track from the main road to the camp-site, the guide struggled a bit with all-wheel skid on the soaked savanna. This camp is situated outside the Serengeti National Park, and to the west of the park. From central Serengeti (Seronera area) to Mapito there is a 2 h drive. It is not optimal to stay that far outside the park. The next morning we started out at 6 o'clock, hoping to see active predators. However, we did not come across any fresh kills that day. So a bit disappointing, but still a great full-day game drive in Serengeti. On the last day in Serengeti, I was a bit reduced due to a troubling stomach, so this was a low day for photography. In the evening, we arrived for overnight at the Rhino Lodge, located on the Ngorongoro Crater rim. The last safari day again so us start early, and we arrived at the crater floor around 7 am. Luckily, because this day we came across a fresh lion kill with the cats still actively feeding. In the afternoon we left the Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a second night at the Country Lodge in Karatu. Finally, on day six the guide drove me to Arusha Domestic Airport for the flight to Dar Es Salaam. Where I was picked up by crew from the Bomani beach Bungalows.
I spent one week at the lodge north of Dar Es Salaam, relaxing after the strenuous safari. All in all a nice 14 days in Tanzania. On this web page I show some impressions from the trip.
Scenic Serengeti
Street in Arusha near Oasis Lodge where I was spending my first night
Arusha street
Interestingly, the roads around Shara are superior to most roads in Norway. Maybe NORAD (=Norwegian taxpayers) or the Chinese has been involved?
Tarangire National Park entrance
Safari photography reality. It is often difficult to obtain good pictures of the animals, as with this dik-dik. Especially from closed safari vehicles. Animals are often hidden in the bush, and once the car stop, it can be next to impossible to get decent photos of the wildlife
Birds are in particular difficult, as they often fly away even before you have time to rise the camera. For example, we saw numerous Pygmy Falcons close by, but I never managed to get a decent photo of the species. This is a Nubian Woodpecker (Campethera nubica)
Tarangire National Park road
Tsetse fly trap near the Tarangire National Park entrance. I was bitten many times by tsetse flies on this trip, particularly in Tarangire NP and around the Mapito Tented Camp in Serengeti NP. Nasty bugs!
Heading toward Serengeti NP, one has to pass the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Entrance
The Crater rim road goes through lush forest
Masai goat herder
Masai goat herder
A Cape Buffalo on the Ngorongoro Crater rim road
Rite of passage. Masai kids with painted face, to become warriors
Masai village in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Road work near Serengeti
"The Goal" - Serengeti National Park entrance coming from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti south entrance
Mapito Tented Camp, just outside Serengeti National Park
Mapito Tented Camp, quite luxurious
Mapito Tented Camp, view from inside. Outside was soaking wet, as it had been raining heavily
Having dinner in the Mapito Tented Camp
The safari vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser
Safari guide, a 20 year veteran on the Northern Circuit
Serengeti road block
Serengeti view - pop-top roof hatch
Heavy November rain in Serengeti National Park
Flooded road in Serengeti National Park
Serengeti Ikoma Entrance Gate at sunrise
At the Ikoma Gate
Seronera picnic area, Serengeti NP
Rain is coming, south of Serengeti
Safari selfie
Crater view
On our way out of the crater
Ngorongoro Crater - View from the eastern rim
Country Lodge room. Relatively high standard, and good food. Spent 2 nights here
Country Lodge, Karatu
Safari summary, at the Country Lodge, Karatu
Local supermarket
Karatu roadside
Near Karatu
Banana business
Traditional hut
These motorcycle taxi's, called bajaj, are very common in Tanzania
On his way to the market
Manyara roadside sale
Head-carrying
Arusha Domestic Airport
Zanzibar stopover. Here a mosque from the air
Dar Es Salaam roadside business
Mangrove beach
Local fisherman with dug-out canoe
Another type of boat
On a in the lagoon
On a in the lagoon
Village band
Village band
Bomani village medicine man
Village kids
Bomani village school
Classroom with blackboard
On the way to Sadaani. Here the locals produce charcoal for sale. In Africa, over 80% of the population still depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking
Charcoal delivery. On their way to Dar Es Salaam with charcoal. One bag was worth an estimated 7000 Tanzanian shilling ($3,2), according to my driver
More roadside business north of Bagamoyo
Bagamoyo garage, where we stopped for oil refill
Wami River boat safari pickup site in Saadani National Park
Wami River boat safari
Boat stuck in croc-infested water in Wami River, Sadaani National Park. Understandably, the guides were nervous jumping into the river to help push the boat free
Wami River mangrove roots
Wami River outlet into the Indian Ocean
Wami River outlet