On November 19,2023, the sun rose over Tarangire National Park, in a clear blue sky. The isolated showers of the day before had moved on and it would be a great day for spotting game and taking pictures. Gym and Mrs. Gym rose early as they were told to have breakfast at 6:45, so the the day’s game drive could begin at 7:30.
Gym noticed that the Micato group were not the only early risers that day, as he and his lovely sidekick, went into the front entrance of the main lodge. A large troop of vervet monkeys were loitering on the sloped roof of the building and a couple of bolder troublemakers were just outside the reception area. As our adventurers waited for the rest of the group one of the monkeys slipped in the back window and ran down some stairs hoping to find an easy route to the buffet table. A member of the staff gave chase but I doubt he was ever able to catch the little devil, so Gym kept a close eye on his toast throughout the meal.
After breakfast everyone had to check out, as the Micato group would not be staying in the Sopa Lodge another night. The plan was to spend the whole morning on a game drive in Tarangire and then get on the highway and transition to Ngorongoro National Park.
The morning was just beautiful. It was bright and calm and the previous day’s showers had wetted the roads enough so that there was minimal dust. The conditions were perfect and around every corner there was a new movie set with different actors in each scene. Everyone got some excellent pics.
At just past noon Emmanuel drove through the Tarangire gates and out to the highway. The Land Cruiser was headed up around the other side of Lake Manyara to a new lodge near the town of Karatu. It was about a three hour drive. Just past the town they made their way to the Ngorongoro Oldeani Mountain Lodge. They checked in for a two- night stay and that night over a glass of wine, Kintai entertained the group with stories from his boyhood, growing up in a Masai village.
 |
| Troublemakers by the Lodge front door |
 |
| And more on the rooftop |
 |
| Pumbas |
 |
| Five foot long monitor lizard |
 |
| Kori Bustard, a large ground forager |
 |
| Ngorongoro Oldeani Lodge |
 |
| Welcoming |
No comments:
Post a Comment