Day 5 – Safari (Ndutu Woodlands & Great Migration)
Early start this morning. Up and at breakfast at 6:00 and meeting Ally at 6:30 to start the day. There is a story I want to share but have been waiting to see how it all turned out first. You know me, Ms organized and all. Packed for a few weeks, even unpacked and washed my clothes and repacked them. Took pictures of MOST EVERYTHING I was putting in my bag. But what did I forgot? What was the most important thing NOT to forget? The charger for my camera batteries. OMG! I had purchased a third battery just the day before I left, just to make sure I never ran out. Put in on the charger right beside my bed and I completely left home without it. It wasn’t until we were leaving Arusha for the airport to fly to the Seregeti that I discovered I didn’t have it. Saying I was devistated doesn’t even come close. Even though Rich had his camera, it just wasn’t the same. My lifetime dream and I was going to miss capturing ever minute. So I started talking to Ally about it and since there are multiple flights to the nearby airport where we would be staying, I asked if he thought ADS (my Safari company) would be willing to buy one and send it on a flight over and I would pay them when I get back to Arusha. He explained what happened and told them I needed a charger, etc. Thank the lord, they agreed. So Timan, one of the welcoming ADS employees, went and bought me one and put it on a plane so we could pick it up the next day (remember the day we went back to the airport and the presidents were flying in?) Well, that’s why we were there. I was so elated…I was saved. So flight arrives, Ally walks out to meet the pilot and he comes back with a small package in his hand…yeah! But it looked a little small to me. Opened it up and what they sent me was another battery, not the charger. Can you believe it? Now I have two completely dead batteries and one with only 3 notches left on the one left in my camera and no way to charge any of them. Ally called them right away and Timan then went to 5 different locations in Arusha and no one carried just the charger. Really? It’s a Nikon? Who doesn’t sell just a charger AND why can’t a Nikon battery recharge through your computer like most other devices? I was once again devistated :(. Then I got the grand idea to just buy another camera, it would come with the charger and I’ll just sell it but when/how would I get it? They once again agreed…I so love this company…bought me a camera and put it on the first flight out this morning. And to beat it all, the airstrip is only like a few minutes from where we are staying so it was convenient enough. Plane lands and pilot comes out with Nikon box in his hand as he steps off the plane…hands it to Ally as I am screaming thank you and he told me to take lots of beautiful pictures. So now, 2 of the three batteries are charged and I am set to go. I have beaten myself up about this so much. Of all the stupid things I brought that I didn’t need, how could I do that? Ally told me that’s when we are reminded we are all but human…no one is perfect. So, if anyone is in search of a Nikon…lol! Ok, enough of that story.
So we left the camp this morning and drove down to the lake, just to catch the sunrise over the lake. What a sight to see. Rich has commented several times that there has been a full moon here every night, how is that possible? We drove around the lake and saw remnants of the many animals that have lost there lifes around this water. Sort of sad when you think about it…coming to just get a drink of water…lifes n necessity … and your life is cut short. As we went on around the lake we saw a Cheetah, just walking along the edge of the water. She kept looking at animals on the other side, probably wondering how she was going to get over there. Then, she just laid down and enjoyed the breeze. Sat and watched her for a while than went on our way. Lots of other adventures to take.
Again, I can’t begin to tell you how dusty it is. Rich said he has sneezed more in these 5 days then he has in months. Just like yesterday, Ally turns onto this isolated road that honestly looks like it’s going no where, but who are we to question him, right? We drove FOREVER, only seeing Gazelles, Zebras and a few Wildebeest here and there. He told us we were driving to see some herds of Wildebeest…ok, better be worth it. And OMG…once again our socks were blown off. It wasn’t a just a herd of Wildebeest, this was seeing them in full migration. They estimate there are between 2-5 million here in Africa. Pretty sure we saw at least 4 million of them today. They went from as far as you could see left and as far as you could see right, just all walking in the same direction. It looked like everyone other one also had a new baby. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Any picture or video we have taken can not truly capture the moment.
Headed back towards the camp for lunch and a little siesta before we hit a late afternoon drive. Ran across another pride of lions just chilling under a tree. This group has a couple younger adolescent lions, but still no cubs to be seen. Still have 5 days for that. Back at camp had a great lunch, recharged all of our stuff, Rich took a nap and I am finishing the 1st 1/2 of the 5th day here. Maybe I can keep up now.
Part 2 of 5th day. Our afternoon drive was all the way around the lake. The terrain here is more like I pictured Africa would be. We saw a zebra and a baby zebra who had died of what appeared to be natural causes. So very sad. We then spotted a leopard laying in a tree. It was amazing to see how he was holding himself up there. A few monkeys, lots of birds and the norm, zebra & giraffes. Back at camp at 6 with an hour to get ready for dinner.
Shower was much needed tonight because of all the dust. Dinner tonight was exceptional. Learned tonight that in Tanzania, a man can have as many wives as he wants…Rich thought that was ok, me not so much! Glad to hear Ally say that was not for him, he could not split his heart. You are a good man Ally!
As we were being escorted back to the tent tonight, two different warriors led the way – both with flashlights. I know there were buffalo spotted on camp today. As we turned the corner to our tent they spotted two buffalo right in front of our tent. I was video taping the entire walk back so I caught it all. They went into the bushes to flush them out but we never actually saw them leave. From there on, all escorts tonight were by golf cart.
Rich was finally able to reach Linda this evening by phone, but we continue to have problems with the internet connections here. Limited at best. Posting pictures is a problem but Ill try. Will try to post day 4 and 5 tomorrow. We are starting at 7 tomorrow. I’m going to try and sleep tonight.
Greetings I am so grateful I found your blog page, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb jo.
Hi there, every time i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours in the break of day, for the reason that i enjoy to find out more and more.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would certainly benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Appreciate it!
Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really loved browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or two pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
My family every time say that I am killing my time here at web, however I know I am getting experience every day by reading such pleasant articles.
Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
fantastic publish, very informative. I ponder why the opposite specialists of this sector do not understand this. You should proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers’ base already!
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to continue your great work, have a nice weekend!
Highly energetic blog, I liked that bit. Will there be a part 2?
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for inexperienced blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal site now 😉
It’s perfect time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles relating to this article. I desire to learn even more issues about it!
Superb blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused .. Any tips? Thanks!
Excellent way of telling, and good piece of writing to take facts on the topic of my presentation subject, which i am going to convey in school.
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always exciting to read content from other writers and practice something from their sites.
I will right away clutch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me realize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
What’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this website on a regular basis, this web page is genuinely pleasant and the people are truly sharing pleasant thoughts.
Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
whoah this weblog is wonderful i like studying your articles. Keep up the good work! You already know, many people are looking around for this info, you can aid them greatly.
This post offers clear idea designed for the new viewers of blogging, that actually how to do blogging.
Appreciate the recommendation. Let me try it out.
I’ve read some good stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you set to create this sort of excellent informative website.
Now I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming over again to read further news.
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I have learn this post and if I may just I desire to recommend you few fascinating things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles regarding this article. I wish to read even more things approximately it!
Hey there! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent info you’ve got here on this post. I am coming back to your website for more soon.
Hey there great website! Does running a blog like this require a lot of work? I have very little expertise in computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyways, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic but I just wanted to ask. Thanks a lot!
I’m not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
Your means of explaining all in this article is genuinely nice, all be capable of without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.
Nice answer back in return of this question with solid arguments and explaining the whole thing regarding that.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe that this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info!
I’m really impressed together with your writing skills and also with the structure on your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to look a great blog like this one these days..
Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Thanks!
Thanks in favor of sharing such a good thought, paragraph is nice, thats why i have read it entirely
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks for providing these details.
Good post however , I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Appreciate it!
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same outcome.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers! Where are your contact details though?
I’ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me recognise so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, later than having my breakfast coming over again to read additional news.
Hi, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am as well cheerful to share my familiarity here with mates.
It’s remarkable to pay a visit this web site and reading the views of all colleagues concerning this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting experience.