This weekend was an unforgettable experience for the SAUT Tanzania team. As an animal-lover myself, the opportunity to go on a safari to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater was a once-in-a-lifetime dream that was finally coming true! Since my childhood, I have always loved going to the zoo to see and learn about animals which were not native to suburban Mississauga. With our friend Thomas and his two colleagues Protus and Nickson from Arend Safaris, we traveled with two Toyota Land Cruisers to the Serengeti National Park where our safari adventure began. Our team all had vague ideas of what a safari might be like: a long road trip in hopes that we might possible spot a zebra or an elephant— if we’re lucky. To our pleasant surprise, we were greatly mistaken. During the first few minutes we had entered the park, we saw a heard of zebras, wildebeests and impalas, far out in the distance. We squinted through our binoculars to get a closer look. We weren’t sure if we would ever see so many zebras again on our journey, but discovered later that zebras are not shy creatures as hundreds would stand only meters away from our cars.
When we first saw an elephant, we could not believe our luck. Standing over a kilometer away in the distance, I could only imagine how grand elephants are, towering over most trees and shrubs. A reoccurring pattern emerged throughout our journey; we would spot an animal far out in the distance, but hours later that specimen would reappear only a few feet from our car. It was surreal to travel through the vast Serengeti and see dozens of different species, knowing that we would have only traveled a small portion of the 14,763 sq km National Park area by the end of our trip. On our first day, we saw herds of zebras, Thomson gazelles, baboons, vervet monkeys, white bearded gnus (wildebeests), hippos, warthogs, buffalos, lionesses, giraffes and a leopard. We thought we would be lucky enough to see only a few of these creatures, but in almost every direction at any given point, there was an animal to be seen. Given that it was May, the great wildebeest migration to the north of the park was under way. We drove through a clearing where we could see thousands of wildebeests grazing. Protus explained that there are over 3.5 million wildebeests in the Serengeti which migrate each year in search of new food sources, so that the lush grasslands throughout the park are not depleted and have time to rejuvenate periodically. I had heard of the wildebeest migration, but I could not have imagined the sheer volume of wildebeests before our car. We were very fortunate to have seen this incredible natural process.
After a full day of discoveries in the Serengeti, we overnighted at the Wildebeests camp. Given that it was the low season for tourists, we were the only group that night in the camp. The Wildebeest campsite team were very welcoming and hospitable. Our tents were more like a 5-star traveler’s paradise; they each included a living room area with sofas and a coffee table, a spacious double bedroom with wardrobe and electrical outlets to charge our cameras, and finally a full bathroom complete with a vanity and hot shower. After freshening up (and feeling the cleanest I had all day) we sat down to a hearty dinner, which was the perfect way to unwind from such an exciting day.
The next morning we had an early 5:45 AM wake-up call, so that we could watch the sunrise. I can only count on three fingers the number of times I have woken up early enough to watch the sun rise. From our campsite on the top of a hill, we had a spectacular view of the day’s first sun rays lighting up the entire valley below. In the distance, we could see the hills, plains, trees, and rivers which shape this unique landscape. The sky was filled with shades of orange, red yellow, pink and sapphire that I hadn’t seen before. I tried to capture a photo of it, but only my memory can serve as the most accurate picture of the beauty we saw that morning.
After a wonderful breakfast with coffee to fuel us, we began the second day of our safari, traveling to the Ngorongoro Crater. On our way to the crater, we saw a herd of over 40 elephants a few yards away. We knew it was time to leave when the biggest elephant of all started charging towards our car. Because most animals we have seen do not shy away in our presence and have stood only feet away from our car, I had forgotten that we were in fact in the wild, where our safari cars were invasive species to this natural environment. We had become a threat to this elephant who felt the need to protect his family. This made me reflect on the numerous ways humans have historically threatened African animal species, from poaching for ivory and furs to capturing for zoo displays. I felt guilty for wanting to visit the Serengeti, for burning fuel in such a clean environment and possibly disturbing the species we saw. But from this experience, I gained a different respect for animals which I would not have otherwise considered. Now that I have seen the zebras, elephants, lions and dozens of other species thrive and coexist harmoniously in their extensive natural environment, I cannot imagine visiting a zoo; seeing animals confined to “habitats” which are much too small for comfort—too restricted of the freedom they deserve.
By the end of our second day at the crater, we were lucky to have seen the big five: lions, buffaloes, black rhinos, elephants and leopards. These are regarded as the most powerful species of all animals in the Serengeti. In the crater, we also saw flocks of flamingos, hartebeests and grants gazelles. The diversity in landscape and wildlife in the crater was extensive; fields of yellow and purple flowers covered a large portion of the grasslands, and a large body of water made up the heart of the crater. We ended our safari with the king of the jungle: the Simba (male lion) was the last creature we saw before leaving the crater. A seemingly cliché way to end our safari was in fact a stunning sight to behold, and rare in most instances. Reflecting on our journey, I am most thankful for Thomas and his Arend Safari colleagues’ hospitality and knowledge of the Serengeti Park, its species, and landscape. In a matter of two days I had learned more about Tanzania’s natural wealth and wildlife first-hand than I ever could have learned at home, watching Discovery Channel or reading National Geographic. I had seen more animal and plant species than I ever could have imagined I have become increasingly aware of my presence and actions which impact the global environment for humans and animals alike. I hope to someday return to the Serengeti and see more of Tanzania’s natural wonders which have left me in awe and inspired to preserve our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.