Steppes In Africa; A Disney-inspired Safari-P is for: Pride Pursuit on a Picture-Perfect Sunset Safari! (8/16)

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Such fun!!! I'll have some similar stories like yours, but no soccer playing. LOL!!

So glad you're here! It's such a unique and special experience to spend time so close to nature like this.

Your hubby's photos are stunning!! If anything, this latest trip has me in the market for an pricey upgrade on equipment. I don't know where the next adventure will take me (aside from Disney in October) but I am ready to level up my photography. Truly his photos are amazing!! Well done!! I think mine gets better and better as the trip goes on, but maybe the fact that I saw more and more variety as the days passed as well?

More coming up... lots more, but not for a couple of weeks. Busy couple of weeks ahead and then I'll be back here.

I got him a new camera for Christmas, and he bought a new lens. We were in Tanzania almost 30 years ago and it's fun to see how both his skill and technology have progressed in that time!

 

[pkondz]

my Cabin Steward, the Head Server, and the Bartender.

Wow! Luxury!

The only hard and fast, non-negotiable rule was that I was NEVER to be un-escorted after dusk anywhere in camp- a designated Maasai Warrior was to be with me at all times after dusk.

I presume for animals, but have my doubts if anything ever actually happens.

Even the tiny tented common bathroom is so pretty!

When you showed this, my first thought was "One small bathroom for everyone? How many people are at this camp??"

Lunch was absolutely perfect. How could it not be with a view like this?!

I also note the wet ground after the rain.

A homemade breadstick was served with every meal; I think I remember one of the servers say it was “their signature bread” at this camp. I never touched it.

"The camp signature bread. What many people come to Africa just for that!... meh."

I was then shown to my tent by my assigned Cabin Steward. I wish I had written his name down; he was so wonderfully attentive.

I wondered what he'd be doing for you, but you already covered that.

my shower was hot and ready for me as I’d requested right after lunch.

You had to ask when you wanted a hot shower?

Bathroom:

And now I see that you didn't have just the one common bathroom.

It is just so gorgeous and luxurious for being literally “in the middle of nowhere”! Every possible amenity was available to me, including robes and slippers, a safe (not that I ever felt like I needed it), hot running water (this was not an “African talking shower” and I’ll explain that later), drinking water, super nice shower products, laundry service, everything!

Sounds amazing!

Should you feel like animals are getting too close for comfort during the night, you can use the radio to call a warrior/guard.

Assuming you never had to do that.

Nice! Very posh. Would not have expected that.

Guides will almost always bend over backwards to accommodate the goals and priorities of each guest customizing game drives as they go

Huh!

If a guest wants to do an all-day game-drive as opposed to a split day- they will make sure a lovely lunch is packed. If a guest wants a pre-dawn start, breakfast is arranged for eating in the field.

Really! Fully customizable. Impressive.

Sure, lions and elephants are definitely pretty cool, but it 1,000% takes more work and a LOT more luck to come across the snakes, lizards and small cats.

Interesting. Don't think I'd have thought of that.

But it ended up being absolutely wonderful! Dave and Victoria were so much fun and added the element of sharing some jokes and some incredibly surreal animal interactions.

And off we went for a 3-hour tour, a 3-hou.... eh, hmm....

Heh. Thinking you got into some weather and wound up floating in a pond.

The next sighting we came across was a lone Secretary Bird who was just as obstinate as every other one I’d seen, refusing to put up his head feathers. What is with these silly birds?! Will I ever get to see one in full head-feather display….?

They're on to you!

Funny looking critter.

Nice shot!

Pretty.

this Black-bellied Bustard:

Love that name. Sounds like a swear word.

Definitely an odd looking bird!

Wow! Great shot!

Of the two, I'm not sure if I like this one better, or the previous one! Both great shots!

Before long we came across a very large pride of lioness with a skad of cubs. The little ones tumbled and played atop their mamas while taking turns nursing and jostling for attention.

Awww.

Those teeth!

Cats, no matter the size, all do very cat-like stuff.

I've heard that.

Don't know why, but... this one reminds me of Scar. (Yes I know it's female vs male, but still.)

A few garnered the altogether wrong kind of attention from mommy.

Heh. So no difference from humans.

This is a perfect place to leave off as the next bit includes a bit of something I will never, ever in my life forget. A jaw-dropping episode of raw animal behavior that you’ll definitely want to stick around for…

 

[disneyAndi14]

Wow, the tent on the savanna looks amazing.
The photos of the Lion family are incredible and the Jackal was posing.
Excited to hear about more animal sightings and the interesting behaviors you witnessed.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Your tent was surprisingly luxurious. I never expected them to have included a bathroom and running water.

The only hard and fast, non-negotiable rule was that I was NEVER to be un-escorted after dusk anywhere in camp- a designated Maasai Warrior was to be with me at all times after dusk.

That is a good rule to follow. I read about a man who was mauled by an animal (maybe a lion) when he left his tent unescorted.

But it ended up being absolutely wonderful! Dave and Victoria were so much fun and added the element of sharing some jokes and some incredibly surreal animal interactions.

They probably traveled the world with their careers. Was this their first tent experience?

We sat there very quietly for quite a long time just enjoying their antics and observing their very cat-like behavior. Cats, no matter the size, all do very cat-like stuff.

That sounds so cute. It is very true that cats have similar behaviors to each other regardless of species types.

 

[missjackiemcg]

What a gorgeous set up at your camp!!! Your tent is more luxurious than the lackluster hotel room we stayed in this weekend for our family reunion LOL

How nice that you enjoyed your safari partners--I can imagine it would be really frustrating to have others along on your trip if it had not gone so well.

LOVE the elephants, the beautiful rainbow and all the lion cub pictures!!! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

 

[Steppesister]

Sounds intense! Did you ever have any moments when you felt a bit nervous? I wouldn't imagine that animals would really try to enter the tents (apart from baboons) - has that ever happened?

No, but animals don't sleep a lot.

I doubt one has actually ever ENTERED a tent, but they sure do get close!

Amazing. The porch looks like the perfect place to enjoy a morning cuppa.

It was fabulous, but not just for the coffee.... Lots of surprises still coming.

Yes, you were incredibly lucky to have them all to yourself to this point! Sounds like you got lucky again though with some great people to share the experience with.

I did, if they'd been annoying or pushy, I'd not have been very happy. But honestly, I had no idea that it'd be any different before going either. I thought I'd share trucks the entire time.

I hope you got to see it eventually!

....

Another great shot! You got a few good ones again on this drive

I did, but I do think my better ones are coming up still.

I was thinking Mum looked like she was getting a little annoyed lol!

She has a very... harsh... way of letting her little ones know when enough is enough!

 

[Steppesister]

I got him a new camera for Christmas, and he bought a new lens. We were in Tanzania almost 30 years ago and it's fun to see how both his skill and technology have progressed in that time!

Sometimes old shots pop up on my FB feed or something and I am the same way. My early stuff is just so different and I love how it's a hobby that you can grow in and see change and progress.

 

[Steppesister]

Wow! Luxury!

YES!

I presume for animals, but have my doubts if anything ever actually happens.

You'd be surprised... stories forthcoming...

When you showed this, my first thought was "One small bathroom for everyone? How many people are at this camp??"

LOL!! Nope, that was the one for when you needed something while in the main or dining tents.

I also note the wet ground after the rain.

It was VERY soggy and stayed that way for quite a while too. Lots of rain!!!

"The camp signature bread. What many people come to Africa just for that!... meh."

I'm just not a bread eater in any context, so hopefully I didn't offend the baker.

You had to ask when you wanted a hot shower?

I was mixing this one up with the next camp. But, the staff did let me know that any time I was ready, it was too. Towels were laid out, etc... A word, it was only just north of warm.

And now I see that you didn't have just the one common bathroom.

Mhm, had one in the tent.

Nice! Very posh. Would not have expected that.

RIGHT?! Just amazing for the location and setting. Crazy!

Heh. Thinking you got into some weather and wound up floating in a pond.

Heh, there were some small lakes/rivers we crossed in those jeeps that I thought was gonna drown in!!!

Funny looking critter.

Very! Such doofus-y birds.

Wow! Great shot!

Thanks!

Of the two, I'm not sure if I like this one better, or the previous one! Both great shots!

He was such a poser! I like the 2nd one because you can see his coloring so much better.

Don't know why, but... this one reminds me of Scar. (Yes I know it's female vs male, but still.)

I agree, the shape of the face maybe? The look about the eyes.??

 

[Steppesister]

Wow, the tent on the savanna looks amazing.
The photos of the Lion family are incredible and the Jackal was posing.
Excited to hear about more animal sightings and the interesting behaviors you witnessed.

It was super posh given the location and setting.

Even better ones coming..

Next week. Busy weekend coming up.

 

[Steppesister]

Your tent was surprisingly luxurious. I never expected them to have included a bathroom and running water.

I was shockingly pleased. So, so very nice with all the amenities I'd have ever wanted.

That is a good rule to follow. I read about a man who was mauled by an animal (maybe a lion) when he left his tent unescorted.

It happens. For real. But very, very rarely and only when folks do dumb things.

They probably traveled the world with their careers. Was this their first tent experience?

They have but this was their first and a very spur-of-the moment trip for them. They were only on the Serengeti for those two nights then flew out to... they literally didn't even know until they got back to Dar es Salaam. They were either headed to Japan/Tokyo or Dubai. LOL!! Must be nice!

That sounds so cute. It is very true that cats have similar behaviors to each other regardless of species types.

So cute! The one of the lioness shaking her head cracks me every time I look at it.

 

[Steppesister]

What a gorgeous set up at your camp!!! Your tent is more luxurious than the lackluster hotel room we stayed in this weekend for our family reunion LOL

How nice that you enjoyed your safari partners--I can imagine it would be really frustrating to have others along on your trip if it had not gone so well.

LOVE the elephants, the beautiful rainbow and all the lion cub pictures!!! Can't wait to hear what happens next!

It was so incredibly beautiful and so much nice than I ever expected for such a remote location.

I'm very glad they were so chill and fun!

Coming up, but not til next weekend. Busy weekend coming up.

 

[pkondz]

You'd be surprised... stories forthcoming...

Really!

I'm just not a bread eater in any context, so hopefully I didn't offend the baker.

Or the butcher or candlestick maker.

Very! Such doofus-y birds.

He was such a poser! I like the 2nd one because you can see his coloring so much better.

 

[buzzrelly]

That tent is amazing! If I had heard "tent" when booking a place to stay I'd have been running in the other direction! But that one has all the comforts of home

The only hard and fast, non-negotiable rule was that I was NEVER to be un-escorted after dusk anywhere in camp- a designated Maasai Warrior was to be with me at all times after dusk.

Yikes

As we came around the side of the hill that camp was situated behind, a herd of elephants grazed lazily on the freshly watered grasses. These were not the only elephants out and about that afternoon, and one herd in particular would give us thrills to last a lifetime…


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Absolutely gorgeous pics!

Before long we came across a very large pride of lioness with a skad of cubs.

Awwwww

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It is very common for a camp’s staff to welcome or say goodbye to guests with a song and smiles, but this group came in carrying a cake! They were there to help me celebrate my BIRTHDAY!!! It was such a total, wonderful shock and I won’t lie, I was simply giddy with joy.

That my birthday fell during it was a truly Providential event.

It was meant to be!

And a sweet message from the Wilderness Guest Team:

They really made a great effort to make your day special

I took some Swahili lessons and learned a little.

Well done to you

I was not even close to fluent, but learned a few phrases that made the locals smile when I pulled them out.

I have always found people appreciate it when you make the effort to learn even a little of their language.

I had not learned how to say "It's my birthday" as that wasn't even on my radar at all, so learned it while I was there. LOL!!

The best souvenir.

Okay, here’s a mystery antique for you to guess at: Let’s see how you do…

I would never have guessed. I was leaning towards a grain mill.

we’d leave for the airport at about 10:30, so I had time to take another walk on the expansive grounds

Such a beautiful place.

Even the Main House's Restroom was gorgeous!

I don’t know what I really expected but everywhere you’ve been Is so much more luxurious than I thought.

And thus starts the truly quintessential “bush safari”

I’m excited and raring to go!

opportunities to see animals is always going to trump food. I eagerly accepted the offer of a game drive

as we bounced along and the driver was quick to ask me how I was liking my African massage.

By the end of a long day, a hot shower and a soft bed are very, very welcome.

Sounds perfect. I’m betting you didn’t need rocked to sleep.

(Okay, see that splashing at the tail end of the the hippo. What they don't tell you at Disney is that hippos actually have a quite disgusting habit of marking their territory and dominance by flinging their poop with their tails as they doo-doo.

Charming creatures

A lone elephant munched on the grasses

Wow!

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Your photos continues to impress. I can’t believe how close the giraffes came. They look so regal and snooty.

This is when I got my first introduction to “A.L.T.s”.

This made me laugh. Funny they had such an acronym. I can totally see why.

the savannah has a way of tricking the eye and that the camouflage of animals is an astonishing miracle.

Nature really is amazing.

You check that your own baggage is actually ON the plane too. Like you literally walk around to the small cargo hold and check.

Did they tell you to check or did you just go have a look because everyone else was.

But first, let me make your mouth water with these photos of my tent!!! Seriously, just look at this space!!!

Honestly I am blown away by the luxury! When you say “tent” I’m thinking airbeds on the ground not this level of comfort at all. It’s fab!

Every possible amenity was available to me, including robes and slippers,

Seriously they took better care of you than many a hotel I’ve stayed in. You really could not have wished for more.

And a word on safety; every tent camp will have a little set up like this:

Good to know but hoping you didn’t actually need any of it.

As if the animals weren’t enough, Mother Nature herself put on a most exquisite show. The African Savannah is definitely a very beautiful place.


[][/]

I’d be framing that photo to hang on the wall though you've so many amazing photos you’d need a mansion to hang all the “wall worthy” ones. You really are very talented. Thank you for sharing both the stories and the photos.

 

[Steppesister]

P is for: Pride Pursuit on a Picture-Perfect Sunset Safari!
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Dave and Victoria were adding such fun to the truck. Dave was a super funny guy adding just the right amount of bush-toileting jokes to the mix. Yes, Jr. High potty humor is the perfect addition to a multi-thousand-dollar experience. What’s not to love?!

Eh hemm, where was I...?

I’d left off with us watching the interactions of a large pride of lioness with their many cubs. There was growling, grooming, and a gradual uneasiness that began to set in. They sensed it long before we understood what was about to happen. One by one, the lion mothers stood up and started to leave their comfortable, grassy spot near the tree they used for cover and called for their cubs to follow. It was mind-blowing to see how many there were that had been hiding so well deeper in the grass and bushy areas. It was then that Hassan pointed out the large herd of elephants approaching to our left. We had all been so intently focused on the incredible spectacle of the lion pride that the large herd of nearby elephant mothers and babies went completely unnoticed.

​

All of a sudden, Hassan shouts, “Look over there!” The lions were now running away as the matriarch of the herd raised her mighty trunk and let out a colossal roar, charging the group of lions. It was a COMMANDING display of dominance and a spectacle of raw power and animal behavior that I will never in my life forget.

​

The tusked giant lingered a short time to make sure the lions truly moved on before turning back to her herd rejoining them to continue their march in the direction of our camp. If you recall, we’d already passed another large group of elephants very near to our camp where the shots from the rainbow were taken in the last chapter.

Hassan maneuvered the truck to follow the lions who resettled a bit further on, just far enough away from the elephants to figure they had satisfied the requirements of the matriarchal leader. In the chaos of the hasty retreat, the cubs were separated from their biological mothers and a bit of re-sorting took place. Life can be hard on the savannah. While it can be an incredibly beautiful, surreal place, it is also wild and dangerous. There are raw moments that can be heart-breaking to witness- the circle of life is a very real thing.

(Hear the little one yelping? Also note: See that tree? That's a "Sausage Tree", you can find one of these at AK if you look. )

​

Two cubs were completely left behind near the tree. Whether they were confused, frightened, or obstinate, I will never know, but they found themselves in a very lonely and scary situation- cold and shivering in the water. They cried over and over again for a rescue, for someone to return and help them find their way. Hassan explained that most groups of females will nurse and care for other cubs that are not their own, but only on their terms and cubs risk injury of they try to force these interactions.

​

We stayed and watched for quite some time and eventually Hassan moved the truck a bit further on to a spot where we could see the struggling little ones. They were definitely scared, cold, and shaking from the situation. He assured us that the others definitely knew they were there and he had no doubt that one, or all, would return to this same spot to re-settle once the elephants had moved on far enough.

​

True to his word, we passed that way a bit later and a female lion had joined them, but from her behavior towards them, Hassan was sure it was not their own mother; she would watch over them, but was somewhat chilly towards them and kept them at a bit of arms length from herself.

We moved on to see what else our evening safari would give us and, while after that there weren’t too many more animals, the scenery, and what we’d just been so privileged to see, more than made up for that. The golden glow of the setting sun cast a delicious warm color over the grasslands giving perfect light onto more elephants and the occasional bird, including this super cool Masked Shrike:

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A group of Lappet-faced Vultures:

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And yet another small pride (yes, that IS the collective term) of ostrich:

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Late afternoon melted into dusk turning on all of the rich colors of oranges, reds and yellows. The skies were painted with streaks of clouds and sunrays giving the exquisite backdrop for the silhouetted acacias and lingering elephants as we headed back towards camp, following the large herds also making their way in that direction.

Note the lights behind the elephants... that's our camp!

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Pulling into camp, we were greeted again with warm, scented washcloths and escorted to the main tent for our sundowner cocktail. As would now be a theme, I easily chose the gin and tonic, the “official” safari concoction, and was delighted when they brought out a little plate of appetizers of mini pizzas. It was the perfect little noshable to enjoy as the several gathered guests recounted their days’ adventures. Another Lemala truck had also seen the elephant charging encounter and everyone was still amazed at the beautiful sunset that evening.

​

The camp was abuzz with several groups now, one that was leaving in the morning, one lady whose partner was ill and couldn’t get out of bed for dinner, and another group also just arriving that late afternoon. This size of the group made for a very festive atmosphere for our lovely dinner.

The staff called us to the dining tent right at 8:00 and sat us at elegantly set tables in groups of 4-6 or so. Water was offered, most of us had a few sips of our cocktails left, but I also ordered a nice glass of wine to go with my meal.

​

No one goes hungry in bush camps; tonight’s meal was an extravaganza of 7-hour brined pork with mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables. As usual it was way too much and I left about half behind. We all chatted and got to know each other a bit better all while sharing our travel experiences over the meal.

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Dessert soon followed- a luscious coffee whip number with a salted caramel sauce. It may have been ice cream, but no matter; it was delicious. Had I known that another dessert would soon make its way out, it’d have declined the first one.

​

Once again, from outside the tent some joyful singing and clapping made its way in. The whole staff, guides, servers, stewards, managers, cooks, all joined together for a post-dinner show, but most importantly, yet another birthday celebration complete with another birthday cake!!!!

I quickly handed my phone to my tablemate to video- I definitely wanted to share these moments with you! Yes, I look like a complete goober dork, but here I am living my best life in the middle of the wide-open African savannah surrounded by wild animals…

Enjoy these videos of some wonderful Tanzanian song!!

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…surrounded by wild animals.

“Oh, come on… right, sure. They can't be that close..."

With everyone full and in such good, happy moods, it was time to turn in for the night- mornings start VERY early when on safari. Being dark, a Maasai guide was required, and I dutifully followed “David” down the trail towards my tent. Mine happened to be one of the furthest away from the main tent and took a little bit to walk to. The trail was flanked by some brush and then continued on to the open savannah; there are no fences, no boundaries, no other hinderances to animals roaming freely or coming and going as they please.

I told David as we walked that we’d seen lots of elephants heading towards camp on our game drive and asked if they ever got very close. His replied by swiftly swiveling his flashlight to an area not 30 yards off the path, exclaiming, “Like that one?!” An enormous elephant stood quietly grazing in the dark completely uninterested in our presence as we passed by.

I neither heard nor saw it but David’s well-trained senses and keen expertise had instinctively known exactly where they were. I’d already been hearing the hyenas yapping in the distance, but throughout the night the barks got closer, and rustlings of other critters assured me that this was no zoo. It was in no way scary; I never once felt in danger knowing that our Maasai warrior guides patrolled all night making sure the animals were behaving.

Safely inside my cozy tent, which had gotten turn-down service with my robe and slippers ready, I tucked in eager for what tomorrow’s adventures would hold.

​

 

[Steppesister]

That tent is amazing! If I had heard "tent" when booking a place to stay I'd have been running in the other direction! But that one has all the comforts of home

It was truly a cozy, beautiful space!

 

[Steppesister]

They really made a great effort to make your day special

It was so wonderful and there was even more to come!

I have always found people appreciate it when you make the effort to learn even a little of their language.

They really do. Always good to learn just a little to say hello at least.

I would never have guessed. I was leaning towards a grain mill.

And that would have been a good guess too!

I don’t know what I really expected but everywhere you’ve been Is so much more luxurious than I thought.

I didn't know either, but sure was impressed!

Your photos continues to impress. I can’t believe how close the giraffes came. They look so regal and snooty.

They really do, don't they?!

This made me laugh. Funny they had such an acronym. I can totally see why.

Absolutely! LOL!

Did they tell you to check or did you just go have a look because everyone else was.

They asked us to go around and just make sure.

Honestly I am blown away by the luxury! When you say “tent” I’m thinking airbeds on the ground not this level of comfort at all. It’s fab!

There is that option- low budget pup tents with bags on the ground is the way to go for those who want that option.

I’d be framing that photo to hang on the wall though you've so many amazing photos you’d need a mansion to hang all the “wall worthy” ones. You really are very talented. Thank you for sharing both the stories and the photos.

It was such a pretty place that really lends itself well to photography.