RTW ’23: Tanzanian Treasures

My time spent on Safari in Tanzania was filled with so many amazing memories, moments, and experiences. This week, I spent time reflecting on the different places that we went to, the abundance of wildlife we saw and the incredible diversity of the foliage and landscape around me. It’s hard to describe the majesty of Tanzania in words, so I’ve compiled a few videos so that you are able to see, first hand, some of the experiences I’ve had!

The first park that we visited was the Tarangire, which is home to so many elephants and Baobab trees. Both of these gentle giants were a wonderful introduction to our Safari! I loved witnessing Karen see her first elephant in the wild– it was such an amazing moment to see her filled with such awe, which must have been how I looked just a few weeks ago. She quickly developed a good eye for finding all of the trees and animals, which became a vital skill in making the most of our time. IT’s been so special to share the treasures of Tanzania with such a dear friend! We saw a few Acacia trees– undeniably a symbol of Africa’s natural beauty and resilience. Its ability to adapt, form symbiotic relationships, and provide essential resources to both wildlife and human communities alike make them truly a unique and remarkable species. This tree reminds us of the intricate and delicate balance that exists in the remarkable ecosystems in Tanzania and all of Africa.

My favorite animal will always be the springbok, which is not found in Tanzania. However, the Thompson Gazelle was a great substitution! Along the way on Safari, I kept noticing how the Zebras were always having a good time hanging out with almost all of the animals, regardless of the other animal’s shape, size and disposition. They even got along with wildebeests who have a great sense of smell, but not great eyesight. Zebras on the other hand, do have good eyesight, so they help each other out. They seemed like the type of friends that you would always want to have at a party– having fun, not making any trouble, and working the room. When Zebras stand together, they appear like one large animal to a predator, and if they are chased, they scatter to confuse the predator hunting them. For all of these reasons, Zebras have easily become my second favorite animal.

I was very impressed with Tanzania’s park system and their conservation policies. Keeping these areas wild and protected is good all around– for the animals, their tourism economy, and the ecosystems. I was initially surprised by how close our truck would get to the wild animals, but Abu assured me that this meant that poaching was simply not an issue. Years ago, when poaching did happen, the animals were threatened and would scatter when a vehicle approached. Now, they are curious and trusting, which is a beautiful thing to witness! While in the Serengeti, Karen and I saw sixteen lions and a cheetah! The lions included two cubs at the parks entrance, which we now refer to as “lions gate”. There was a male who clearly wasn’t feeling too well. He was so thin that his ribs were showing. It was sad to see an animal in this condition, but I suppose it just goes to show that illness strikes all walks of life. There was a different male, healthy, snoozing with two female lions in the midday sun. On another occasion, there were three cubs and a mom defending a fresh wildebeest carcass. On a separate occasion, we stopped our vehicle to look at a male and two females. The male walked around our truck to position himself closer to the females, taking a seat right outside Abu’s door. We were so close to the cheetah that you could see and hear him breathing! It was magnificent to hear this creature’s breaths and get a close enough view to see his lean legs and hind muscles. It was truly magical!

Karen and I enjoyed a wonderful outdoor adventure on a treetop canopy walk on the swing bridges in Lake Manyara. Being 59 feet above the ground, high up in the canopy, was the best way to end our time on Safari. We walked among the birds and monkeys, smelled and touched the rich mahogany and fig trees, and breathed in fresh, crisp air. I was so happy to be IN nature, not just watching it from my seat in my truck. Though Karen was nervous about the heights, she joined me in the trees!

After our Safari came to a close, Karen and I explored Stone Town in Zanzibar, a huge contrast from mainland Tanzania. My heart always feels better being on or near the ocean! Stown Town has such an interesting mix of cultures, food and architecture from so many places including Portuguese traders, sultans from Oman, Indian spice traders, and Dutch and British rulers. It’s such an eclectic place! Though the history is very dark, I get the feeling that Zanzibar has embraced their place in the world as a melting pot, welcoming all. 99% of the population is Muslim, and for the first time in Tanzania, I’m hearing the call to pray! Because it was during Ramadan, the hotel gave us notice to be respectful of the culture by dressing appropriately (no bare shoulders or skirts above the knee) and not eating or drinking in public during the day while the vast amount of the population was fasting. We also visited an Anglican and Catholic Church– all of the faiths living in close quarters, respecting one another, was such a beautiful sight to see. We spent time wanterding around the small streets and alleyways, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells. I love places where cultures have found a way to exist and even thrive, and this was it!

What I’ve loved most about our safari in Tanzania was the diversity of landscape, animals, and birds. You can find it all within one country! I loved all of the parks for various reasons unique to each one. It was a culture shock to return to the hustle and bustle of the city once our safari ended. There was truly a peace that I found being so secluded in the wild. We have had such warm hospitality from all of the people we encountered, both on Safari and in the city, but my heart felt more joy in the wide open plains of the Serengeti, the lush forests in Tarangire, the tree canopy of Lake Manyara and the idyllic paradise in the Ngorongoro Crater. Until next time, dear friends: stay safe, stay healthy, and always remember to make space for what brings you joy.

As the years progress, one increasingly realizes the importance of friendship and human solidarity.
And if a 90-year-old may offer some unsolicited advice on this occasion,
it would be that you, irrespective of your age, should place human solidarity,
the concern for the other, at the centre of the values by which you live.
-Nelson Mandela