Tanzania Safari 2017

Wildebeest, The Great Migration, Serengeti National Park

Our four day and three night Tanzanian Safari was amazing beyond my highest expectations. We witnessed The Great Migration, saw a Black Rhino (on the brink of extinction, only 20 left in Ngorongoro Crater), survived meeting a Black Mamba (second largest venomous snake in the world), and were 10 feet away from several lions at different encounters.

Giraffes in Ngorongoro Crater

These photos were all taken on my iPhone so you can just imagine what beautiful pictures Ian was able to take with his good camera and zoom lens. Due to resizing issues alll photos on this blog have been from my iPhone.

Giraffe in Lake Manyara National Park

Zebras in Serengeti National Park
Zebras in Lake Manyara National Park
Zebras in Serengeti National Park
Baboons in Ngorongoro Crater
Elephant in Tarangire national park

And our favorites, the lions!

Lion cub in Serengeti National Park
Lions in Serengeti National Park
Female lions in Serengeti National Park
Lion on the crater rim, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area

Zanzibar, Tanzania December 2017

Sunset at Jambiani, Zanzibar

Zanzibar, an island rich in history for the old slave market and world renown spices. Now you can watch the locals gathering seaweed during low tide which they sell for cosmetic use.

Maasai maN and seaweeD harvesters at low tide

We knew that the the tide goes so far out in Jambiani that you can only swim during parts of the day. Instead of a hindrance this became one of the highlights of our trip. Not only for the fun of walking out and seeing baby eels, reef fish and sea stars but for the amazing culture of this area as women and men harvested the seaweed and carried it in huge bags on their heads. 

View of outrigger fishing boats in the tepid Indian Ocean

There is a lot more to Zanzibar island than it’s warm turquoise water and powder sugar sand. You can experience spice farms, witch doctors, a huge seafood BBQ market in Stone Town, crazy full moon parties in Paje, mangroves and an endangered species. Introducing the Zanzibar Red Colobus monkey, who can only live in Zanzibar where it can find the 60+ different plant species it needs to survive.

Zanzibar red Colobus monkey, endangered species
Zanzibar Red Colobus 

You can see these adorable primates  (who only have 4 fingers and no thumb) in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park. There are also Sykes monkeys living in harmony with the Red Colobus.

Sykes monkey

Travel Tip- you’ll be approached by many different people selling tours. We rented a kayak with snorkel gear for $10 an hour (total for two) and did our own ‘snorkel tour’. Another day we rented a scooter for $25 and drove all around including Jozani Park ($10 each entrance fee) and the Butterfly Center ($5 each). Another important Travel Tip- there are NO ATM machines on the East side of the island, so get your shillings in Stone Town before your taxi ride across. Yes, it’s shillings, and it takes 2,000 to equal one US dollar (as of this writing) so be prepared for a little heart attack when you get your first bill (we had a fancy lunch that cost 89,000).

The beach in Stone Town

You will probably learn some Swahili phrases from the exuberant locals, and if nothing else sticks you will still walk away with ‘Jambo!’ (Hello). This is shouted by smiling children on the beach, shop keepers sitting in the shade, and every person you pass on the street or strolling down the white sands.

Another amazing Zanzibar sunset!