Safari Day 1!



Could I look any more like a tourist on Safari?!? Everyone else in my group just looked normal - but I’m loving my Safari get up! 

We said goodbye to Ilboru Safari Lodge, and our first stop was as a supermarket and ATM downtown. This was in case we needed local Tanzania shillings as many places take US dollars, but not all. And our next three nights we’re at accommodations that only take cash - although all of my meals are included, drinks are not, and $3 US glasses of wine are not something I was going to pass on. 
Our first stop of the day was a tour of a Mto wa Mbu tribe. We had two local tour guides who took us through the village showing us how they produce rice and bananas, both for food and to sell. We also met with some men who did beautiful wood carvings. Wood carvings of animals, to round out my zebra, giraffe and rhino (thanks Dad!!) are my most desired take home souvenir. But it don’t want to get them until the end as I don’t want to worry about them breaking as we fill up the van each day. I did buy a painting from a local artist in the village and I can’t wait to hang it above our bed when I get home. Unfortunately they packed it very well for travel (rolled it up and sealed it) and I forgot to take a photo of it - another “at home photo”. We were then treated to a traditional lunch prepared by the village women. 




Drying rice





After lunch we headed to Lake Manyara National Park. I only cried at the first elephant - then I was able to keep it together and just be excited! Not much to say, just lots of animals!


The roof of our vehicle pops up so we can stand and get an amazing view!


Baboons



Blue monkey 





Vervet or black faced monkey


Lion tracks in the rectangle shadow…but we didn’t see any lions today…




Baby elephant!



Impala




It was time to leave and drive to our accommodations for the night. The website did not do this place justice! It is amazing! I only wish that we were here for more than one night - but tomorrow we are off to the Lesley’s museum and then the Serengeti - so I’m not complaining!!



Rift Valley LodgeRift Valley Lodge

















Off to bed now to rest up for tomorrow!

Comments

  1. CreatingwithCarol.com30 July 2023 at 11:48

    Wow!!!!! Just did my first run through, but there will be many more before I go to bed! So glad you had a great day, and I'm so glad you cried at the first elephant - it must be so amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. CreatingwithCarol.com30 July 2023 at 12:38

    The giraffes are so beautiful...the shapes of their spots, and their long eyelashes. Loved your smile for the baby elephant! And your lodge is something else!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jackie30 July 2023 at 18:19

    So cool! Can't believe how many animals you've seen already.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelly1 August 2023 at 14:54

    Wow, I know I would cry too if I saw an elephant ,wow!!

    ReplyDelete

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