6: The new safari suit

5.02.2014 – 5.02.2014 semi-overcast 25 °C

Today’s blog is going to be fairly short and sweet as we spent half of the day travelling from Tarangire (which I found out today is actually two words- Tara- meaning river and Ngire- meaning warthog!… So the Warthog River NP– pronounced ta-run-gii-rii—to Ngorongoro Crater (pronounced.. N-Goro-Goro.. with rolled “r’s”) and the other half of the day relaxing in the Ngorongoro Lodge.

Not sure I’ve spoken about the accom yet?? Assuming I haven’t, I’ll take out a minute to explain about our trip… A good way to describe it is “Safari in Style”.. It is easily one of the most luxurious holidays I’ve ever been on (a big step above my usual backpacking style). For starters, we have our own driver, HmmBee, who is not only our driver but also our guide. We have a huge six seater Toyota Landcruiser all to ourselves (most groups have six people squashed inside.. we have three so plenty of space for all of our junk) and so far our two lots of accom (the Tarangire Sopa and the Ngorongoro Sopa) are VERY nice. For starters, you get greeted with a hot towel and a glass of juice. Our rooms are huge, in fact the bathrooms are bigger than both of my bathrooms at home combined! Both hotels have been twin rooms meaning two queen sized beds, both lodges have had pools and multiple common areas…. restaurant, coffee area and bars! Really, really nice and all inclusive (except for beverages) If you ever consider having a great holiday with everything laid on, I can recommend coming to Tanzania!

After brekky we hit the road and started our four hour journey to Ngorongoro.  The first hour or so was still sightseeing thru the Tarangire NP. Today’s highlight was a family of Ngire (warthogs), Mum and Dad and four baby cubs all suckling off their mum! When the warthogs run it is a site to see… They put up their tails (straight up like an antenna) and they run with back legs together and then front legs together—like they are jumping forward not running… It is quite funny to watch them move!! (when they walk, they still have their tails up tall but their left legs move independently to the right!!). We also saw more giraffe, elephants, buffalo, baboons and monkeys… Another good haul!

Once we were back on the main road we started to make some good time towards Ngorongoro. It actually isn’t that far between the parks but the roads are fairly poor (and very poor in the NP) so although the distance isn’t too far our top speed was probably about 80 and more often than not below 50!!

We stopped at a road side stall before we entered Ngorongoro to find ourselves a dinky di Tanzanian souvenir… I had asked the driver earlier in the day to stop at a shop that had local handicrafts rather than a big commercial venture so that we could help the local community. Hmmbee came thru with the goods, stopping us at a big road side stall where the owners paint their own paintings of Tanzania! Well, I couldn’t resist! I found myself a nice painting of women dancing and Conductor/ Bookie found themselves a beautiful painting of Masaii women and men walking. At the outset it was clear that Conductor wouldn’t get his painting for the price he wanted, so I bargained with the dude to buy both paintings… From 140 USD down to 90 USD… I got ripped off (let’s face it, tourists always do) but I got an ok markdown on the paintings. Did I get them cheap?? Nahh!!! 🙂 (based on how the guy was painting them I reckon they are both probably worth about 30 USD but heck, once framed, I’ll always remember my time here in Tanzania!)

From the souvenir store we started our ascent up the rift escarpment and up to Ngorongoro Crater. This area is part of the great African Rift and from the plain you drive almost straight up the mountains and onto the plateau (about 2000m above sea level). The soil is the rich red volcanic type and so the plateau is heavily cultivated. We continued to climb up from the plateau and eventually (at what felt like the end of the road) we came to the front gate for Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The park isn’t a NP because Masaii people still live within the crater. Instead, it is protected by rangers (like an NP) and is world heritage listed.. In other words, it is a NP just has people living inside!

We spent our afternoon watching the mist roll in and the rain start to come down, whilst we sipped coffee, read books and for me, blogged. The lodge is right on the edge of the crater so we have a perfect view of the floor… Plenty of water, you can even see the herds of buffalo or wildebeest down on the crater floor! Fab view.

Before I sign out I’d better also provide some commentary on today’s blog title.. “the new safari suit”.. I’ve worked out that the old school 70s style safari suit is completely out of fashion (although the gift shop here at Ngorongoro has one for sale- no, I haven’t enquired about the price!) instead the new vogue safari fashion is clothing made completely from artificial fibres… I’m sure you can all picture the style… quick dry cargo hiking pants (beige of course), hiking boots and those good awful (although I did bring one along) sun proof and mozzie proof quick dry long sleeved fishing shirts. To complete the ensemble most of us have floppy broad brimmed hats (complete with chin tie), sunglasses and most of us are toting some sort of camera equipment…. No fashion statements here on safari!!!!

Anyway, after a very relaxing afternoon (and some pickies of the sunset) I’m going to sign out and enjoy my hot water bottle in my bed! (The temp up here on the crater is freezing.. I’m currently wearing a singlet, t-shirt, long sleeved shirt, jumper and scarf and am still freezing. I’m guessing the temp must be mid to low teens!)

 

Animal Tally:

– No change to the tally because we haven’t been out hunting!

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