Gina and Andrew's Zesty Zanzibar

The reality of the Serengeti is that the sheer size of the plains is beyond comprehension.  As far as the eye can see it doesn't end. Somehow with his expert knowledge our guide had managed to find a cheetah which had just completed a kill. It's head was low and difficult to spot. We saw it hunched down and quickly eating before other prey discovered its kill.  Occasionally it raised its heads to survey the surrounds.  A cheetah eats until it has had its fill then leaves the rest for scavengers. After it finished a flock of vultures descended to pick the scraps. Of course our excitement at this discovery was off the dial. A kill after all is another animals death but we wanted so much to see it. Apparently it is a rarity on safari to see it from start to finish.  It's the circle of life but we are keen to see more. The chatter on the two way radio is constant. A leopard has been spotted and like Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, we are in hot pursuit!.  It's ...

Not to be confused with the Greek tzatziki fly, the African tsetse fly is the real deal. Our game drive starts early so it's cooler and the tse tse flies are plentiful and persistent, a moving car no challenge to their ability to be a bloody nuisance. They have a red hot go at mauling us as we drive through the greener shrubs. These buggers will bite through clothes, socks and hurt like a Mofo. Industrial strength insect repellent provides little resistance, if anything, add to their challenge. These buggers are the size of house flies and along with the mozzies carry malaria thus testing our gold plated malaria medication.  Did we mention we have been wearing the same clothes for four days now and no amount of showering gets rid of the dusty feeling. We are sparing with our clothes this week as we could only bring one soft bag, no more than 15kgs on safari.  Today is our last game drive through the  Serengeti plains, this afternoon we head for th...

Up at the crack of dawn to experience the stunning Lake Manyara sunrise over the mountains. It was well worth it, and besides our guide told us we were hitting the road at 8AM anyway. Gina didn't sleep well. Like a child waiting for Santa she was excited at what the next day held, along with how amazed she was at our good furtune to date. Dinner and breakfast at the lodge were as exceptional as our surroundings, as has been the service. That said, the tipping culture here is rife, I guess the staff are not well paid. I still hate tipping! So this morning we set off for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which we will travel through onto our way to the Serengeti this afternoon. Again this was stunning and the first part of our Big 5 experience. we learned a bit of history as well. There was conflict between the Massai and Government in the late 1950's. Still under colonial rule, a British delegation was sent to Tanzania to facilitate. The Massai were to be moved from the Sere...