January 22, 2014
Before you begin to read this, start humming the theme song for African Lion Safari. You know the one. It will stay with you. Or any of the songs from The Lion King, or perhaps you’re thinking of Meryl Streep in Out of Africa. Believe me, all of these cultural references came out during our recent Safari into Tarangire National Park. (I forgot to mention Bruce Cockburn’s “Wonderin’ Where the Lions are”, as well as the one that goes something like this: …in the jungle the lion sleeps tonight, a woomba wat, a woomba wat…)
Africa has inspired and continues to inspire music, films, literature, and fashion (think of leopard, zebra and giraffe prints). It’s no wonder. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat, as we did on our 3 day, 2 night safari here in Tanzania, was absolutely breathtaking. We were amazed at what we were able to see so quickly and from such a close distance. Elephants and lions passing right in front of our truck. We also saw a leopard, a hyena, jackals, water buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, eagles, mongoose, warthogs, impalas, water bucks, dik diks, meercats, foxes, turtles, monkeys, baboons and an assortment of colourful birds whose names escape me. So that’s four of the Big Five (lion, water buffalo, leopard and elephant, based on dangerousness, not looks. Rhinoceros is #5,but they are not here.) I am sure I have not listed everything. The landscape is varied, with vast vistas, sweeping plains, dramatically eroded river beds, dotted with gigantic baobab trees, majestic palms, and veined with red roads.
All in all, a fantastic side trip in addition to the work being done here in Tanzania.
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