Stone Town Trading

Stone Town Trading

Welcome to the old city of Stone Town. A trading route for centuries, and now a World Heritage Site, these high walls have been built by Portuguese, Persians, British and numerous others. They were interested in the location for trade of the island's famous cloves and spices and in the sad, but profitable, slaving industry. The old Anglican Church, built on the slave auction site had a memorial to the many lives lost and was a reminder of Dr. Livingston's efforts to stop the traders. With help from many others, he was successful.

We walked through the winding streets, giving way as we heard bells for bicycles and motor scooters. Our guide pointed out the many different types of ornate doors with influence from the Indians and Arabs. As we neared the vibrant and colorful markets, we were greeted by fish smells rarely experienced in the States! The sights of fresh fruit and spices overflowing the stalls was colorful yet orderly, and the sounds of hagglers reminded us that this is a place of bustling trade.

Zanzibar

Colobus Monkeys

Zanzibar is the location of the rare Red Colobus monkeys. We were able to walk into their forested domain and watch as they fed on the ripe guavas and palm fruits. These monkeys are a smaller relative of the shy Black and White Colobus, seen on the mainland.

Indian Ocean

Our first views of the Indian Ocean from the eastern side of Unguja. It was great to relax, walk the long white sandy beaches, swim, snorkel the reefs and enjoy the food straight from the ocean.

Our safari journey almost over, Asante sana (thank you very much) Tanzania!

Elephant Greetings

Elephant Greetings

The elephants came to greet us on the Serengeti. It was a maternal group with babies and as they eat approximately 18 hours a day, they were happily staying in this lovely long grass area. This year the short rains were late (January, instead of November & December), so we were treated to cool weather, green and lush vegetation and well fed animals with lots of healthy babies!

Next, we are off to the island of Unguja and the chain of islands better known as Zanzibar.

Brotherly love

Brotherly love

This has been a safari of many 'firsts' for me... We saw two cheetah brothers minutes after leaving our check-in at the ranger post in Ndutu...

Brotherly love 2

... and then within less than a mile, another two brothers... Lions!

Maybe these were the two we heard roaring later and finally chased from too near our luxury camp. One of our trusted drivers and guide Vincent, was only too happy to pose so you could see how close we can get to them. They were both too tired to even acknowledge our presence and continued in the dreams of lions, tails and feet twitching occasionally.

Ndutu to Serengeti

Hyena Family

On the way from Ndutu to Serengeti we were very amazed to see mating lions, huge herds of thousands of zebras and a first time for me, a communal hyena den! I had just read about this in "Cry of The Kalahari", by Mark and Delia Owens, so it was very exciting to see the various moms, aunties and pups having a late afternoon romp outside the dens.