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| Masai village near Ngorongoro |
Houses made from cow dung |
| Sat 16th: Got up at 5:30, packed up and went in a land-rover down into Ngorongoro crater. There were hundreds of wildebeest, which had been rare in the Serengeti, zebras, buffalo, elephants and vervet monkeys in the woods. After an hour's searching we saw a group of land-rovers which turned out to be watching a black rhino mother and calf. Watched them for some time until they got up and moved off. Saw hippos in a pool and also in the main lake, with a hyena, flamingos and other water birds. Had lunch beside a lake, where black kites stole people's sandwiches. |
Masai women and children |
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Afterwards we went back to the woods, photographing zebras, crowned cranes, a marabou stork and a happerkop on the way. In the woods we saw more vervet monkeys and an elephant with an enormous erection. Drove back to Karatu in the land-rover passing an overturned truck very like ours, but fortunately it was not ours. Had an urgently needed shower. |
| Masai warriors dance |
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| Sun 17th: Set off back towards Arusha. Stopped at Mto Wa Mbu to be hassled by souvenir salesmen. Bought a wooden board game, a Masai blanket and a tee shirt. Then drove on to a snake farm where we had lunch before seeing the snakes. Returned to Arusha and set up camp. Retrieved the mountain clothing and repacked everything. Had fish and chips for dinner, plus Wayne's birthday cake.
Mon 18th: Got up late and said goodbye to the Americans. At 10:30 the truck returned and we were taken into Arusha. |
Mother and child |
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Brian and Tina sent emails from the internet café, while I had a Coke. We had lunch there, then returned to the truck and were taken to the Mount Meru Hotel where we got the bus to Moshi and the Marangu Hotel, our base camp for Kilimanjaro. We had a long and detailed briefing from Desmond, the owner, about the climb ahead, then an excellent dinner. We slept in a chalet in the spacious grounds amongst lawns and flower beds. |
| Village children |
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| Tue 19th: After a good breakfast the porters were assembled and we met our individual porters. They carry rucksacks in Hessian sacks on their heads. Drove in a land-rover to the Marangu gate then started the first stage of the walk through damp and misty rainforest. Saw some vervet monkeys and lots of wild flowers including gladioli and red hot pokers. Stopped for a sandwich lunch and hot tea. Continued on through drier forest to Mandara Hut. After tea we walked to the Maundi crater which was shrouded in mist. Returned to the hut for dinner. Slept OK considering the dormitory conditions. |
Girl with fancy ear-rings |
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Wed 20th: Woke early and got up about 6am. Had a good breakfast and set off towards Horombo Hut. The vegetation was mainly a type of tall heather, with lots of wild flowers amongst it, many familiar as our garden plants. Had a tea stop about 11am, then lunch at 1. Reached Horombo about 3pm, a seven hour walk. Walking was harder today and I am feeling the effects in the evening. The hut is of identical design to the previous one. |
| Tribesman in his mud hut |
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| Link Exchange |
| Amani Children's Home is dedicated to the protection of Tanzania's most vulnerable population: street-children and AIDS orphans. |
